Umi

♀ Girl

Pronounced OO-mee /ˈu.mi/Medium

Meaning: Variously the Japanese umi, 'the sea', and the Swahili/Arabic umi, 'my mother; life'; a word-name; used for both sexes; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: The sea; life; my mother: Umi is Japanese/Swahili. Sweet, modern, and warm (said 'OO-mee'). Used for both sexes.

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Origin LowJapanese, Swahili

MeaningVariously the Japanese umi, 'the sea', and the Swahili/Arabic umi, 'my mother; life'; a word-name; used for both sexes; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#7108 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 185

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

Umi comes variously from the Japanese umi, 'the sea', and the Swahili/Arabic umi, 'my mother; life'; a word-name; used for both sexes (routes layered, which we note). A sweet, modern name (here for a girl; slug distinguished; said 'OO-mee').

In the U.S. it appears in Japanese and African families. Rare, the-sea-and-my-mother at the root, and sweet.

Did you know? Umi is variously the Japanese 'the sea' and the Swahili/Arabic 'my mother; life' — a sweet, modern name, used for both sexes (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'OO-mee').

Overall data confidence 32%

References — Umi — unisex; routes layered

Variations

UmieUmyUmmi

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Umi…

Mimi— a sound-neighbor short girls' name

Yumi— a kin -umi Japanese girls' name

Nia— a fellow short girls' name

Umay— a companion Um- girls' name

Explore names like Umi

By themeuncertain unisex word-name japanese swahili

By meaningSea / Water Life

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Umi mean?

Umi is variously Japanese 'the sea' and Swahili/Arabic 'my mother; life'; used for both sexes; here for a girl. The routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Umi?

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

Is Umi a boy or girl name?

Umi is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Umi?

Umi is a very rare name in the U.S.