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Home › Baby Names Directory › Umi

Umi

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Umi

Pronounced OO-mee /ˈuː.mi/Medium

Meaning: A Swahili name Umi, linked to 'life' and to 'mother' (umi/mama); separately the Japanese word umi, 'sea' (romanized). Two honest routes by culture.Low

In 30 seconds: A short name with two routes: Umi means 'life/mother' in Swahili and 'sea' in Japanese (said 'OO-mee'). Warm and worldly.
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Origin LowSwahili, Japanese
MeaningA Swahili name Umi, linked to 'life' and to 'mother' (umi/mama); separately the Japanese word umi, 'sea' (romanized). Two honest routes by culture.
U.S. rank (2023)#10718 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 22

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120202023

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

As a boy's name, Umi reads by route: Swahili 'life; mother' or the Japanese umi ('sea,' romanized). Both are honest; it is rare in the U.S. (said 'OO-mee').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, short, and worldly.

Did you know? Umi carries two honest roots — in Swahili it ties to 'life' and 'mother,' while the Japanese umi (romanized) means 'sea.' A short, worldly name (said 'OO-mee').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Umi — Swahili 'life/mother' / Japanese 'sea' (romanized)

Variations

UmeeOumiUmy

Nicknames

OoMimi

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Umi…

Kai— a like short worldly name
Omari— a like Swahili name
Aki— a like short Japanese-style name
Taro— a like Japanese boy's name

Explore names like Umi

By themeshortjapaneseswahiliworldly

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Umi mean?

In Swahili Umi ties to 'life' and 'mother'; separately the Japanese umi means 'sea' (romanized). Routes vary by culture, which we note.

How do you pronounce Umi?

It's said OO-mee /ˈuː.mi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Umi a boy or girl name?

Umi is used here as a boy's name; it is used across cultures.

How popular is Umi?

Umi is extremely rare in the U.S.

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