Rumi

♀ Girl

Pronounced ROO-mee /ˈruː.mi/High

Meaning: Derived from the Arabic/Persian word for the region of Rum (Byzantine Anatolia); the surname of the 13th-century Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi.High

In 30 seconds: Rumi is an evocative two-syllable name that carries the legacy of one of history's greatest poets and a separate Japanese meaning of luminous beauty. It feels both ancient and utterly contemporary.

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Origin HighPersian, Arabic, Japanese

MeaningDerived from the Arabic/Persian word for the region of Rum (Byzantine Anatolia); the surname of the 13th-century Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi.

U.S. rank (2025)#1283 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births175 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 953

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Rumi originates as a geographical epithet from the Arabic word *Rum*, denoting the Byzantine Empire or Anatolia. The 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi bore this as a surname, and his verses translated into English have made him one of the best-selling poets in American history.

As a given name, Rumi has long been used in Japan (written 瑠美, 留美, or other kanji combinations) meaning beauty or lapis lazuli. It crossed into Western baby-naming culture in the 21st century, fueled partly by celebrity use and the broader popularity of the poet's work.

Did you know? Rumi became a household name in the United States partly because Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their daughter Rumi in 2017, boosting its profile dramatically on baby-name charts.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name — Rumi — Etymology and usageNameberry — Rumi — Popularity and cultural notes

Variations

RumieRumiko

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Rumi Carter (2017–present)
Daughter of musicians Beyonce and Jay-Z, born in 2017 as the twin sister of Sir Carter.

If you like Rumi…

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rumi mean?

Rumi has two main roots: in Persian/Arabic it refers to the region of Rum (Anatolia) and is associated with the great Sufi poet; in Japanese it means lapis lazuli beauty.

How do you pronounce Rumi?

Rumi is pronounced ROO-mee, with stress on the first syllable: /ˈruː.mi/.

Is Rumi a boy or girl name?

Rumi is used for both boys and girls historically, but in current English-speaking usage it skews strongly female.

How popular is Rumi?

Rumi entered the US top 1000 for girls after Beyoncé and Jay-Z's daughter was named Rumi in 2017 and has grown steadily since.