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Home › Baby Names Directory › Minami

Minami

♀ Girl

Pronounced mee-NAH-mee /miˈnɑ.mi/Medium

Meaning: Japanese Minami is most often read as 'south' (minami), a directional word used warmly as a given name; because Japanese names are written in characters, other readings and senses are possible depending on the kanji a family picks — we note that honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft, rolling three-beat name: Minami is Japanese for 'south' (said 'mee-NAH-mee'). The precise sense follows the characters a family chooses.
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Origin MediumJapanese
MeaningJapanese Minami is most often read as 'south' (minami), a directional word used warmly as a given name; because Japanese names are written in characters, other readings and senses are possible depending on the kanji a family picks — we note that honestly.
U.S. rank (2024)#14655 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1997
Total births (all-time)≈ 232

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199719892024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Minami is a Japanese given name and surname built on the ordinary word for 'south' — a direction associated with warmth and light. Japanese naming works through characters, so families choosing Minami may intend 'south' or a related written sense; we note that the meaning is character-dependent. In the U.S. it reads as a graceful, vowel-rich import (said 'mee-NAH-mee').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, melodic, and unmistakably Japanese.

Did you know? Minami is the Japanese word for 'south' — a direction that carries warmth and sun in Japanese usage. Like most Japanese names, its exact shading depends on the characters written, which we note (said 'mee-NAH-mee').
Overall data confidence 52%
References — Minami — Japanese given name/surname; 'south'; meaning character-dependent

Variations

MinahmiMina

Nicknames

MinaNami

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Minami…

Hana— a like Japanese pick, short and bright
Mina— the natural short form and a name of its own
Ayumi— a like three-beat Japanese name
Sakura— a like nature-rooted Japanese choice

Explore names like Minami

By themeheritagemelodicjapanesenature-adjacent

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Minami mean?

Minami is Japanese for 'south'. As with most Japanese names, the exact sense depends on the characters chosen, which we note.

How do you pronounce Minami?

It's said mee-NAH-mee /miˈnɑ.mi/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Minami a boy or girl name?

Minami is used as a girl's name; it is also a common Japanese surname.

How popular is Minami?

Minami is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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