Yumi

♀ Girl

Pronounced YOO-mee /ˈjuː.mi/High

Meaning: Japanese feminine name written with various kanji; common combinations include yu (reason, cause) + mi (beauty), or yu (abundant) + mi (beauty), giving meanings such as beautiful reason or abundant beautyHigh

In 30 seconds: Yumi is a sweet Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen — most often beautiful reason or abundant beauty — giving parents the opportunity to tailor a personalized meaning to their child.

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Origin HighJapanese

MeaningJapanese feminine name written with various kanji; common combinations include yu (reason, cause) + mi (beauty), or yu (abundant) + mi (beauty), giving meanings such as beautiful reason or abundant beauty

U.S. rank (2024)#3071 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births53 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 967

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

Yumi is a Japanese feminine given name with multiple kanji readings. The most common combinations are 由美 (yu = reason + mi = beauty), 裕美 (yu = abundant + mi = beauty), and 弓 (yumi = bow, the archery weapon). Each combination creates a distinct meaning while sharing the same pronunciation.

Yumi has been a common Japanese girls' name throughout the 20th century. Outside Japan, it is used by Japanese diaspora communities and has been adopted in South Korea and other parts of East Asia. Its short, easy pronunciation and soft sound make it accessible cross-culturally.

Did you know? Yumi written with the single kanji 弓 means bow as in a Japanese archery bow or a musical bow — one of many Japanese names that can shift entirely in meaning depending on which characters are used to write them.

Overall data confidence 89%

Behind the Name — Yumi — Japanese kanji combinations and meaningsJisho Japanese Dictionary — kanji readings for yu and mi elements

Variations

YumieYumikoYumie

Nicknames

YuYum

Famous Bearers

★Yumi Adachi (1981–present)
Japanese actress and singer who rose to fame as a child star in the 1990s drama 'Ie Naki Ko'.
★Yumi Matsutoya (1954–present)
Hugely influential Japanese singer-songwriter and pianist known as 'Yuming', one of the best-selling recording artists in Japanese history.

If you like Yumi…

Yuna— shares the Yun-/Yu- opening and East Asian feminine name feel

Hana— fellow short, melodic Japanese girls' name meaning flower

Nami— shares the -mi ending

Rumi— shares Yumi's Japanese roots

Kaomi— shares the -mi ending

Explore names like Yumi

By themeclassic two-syllable japanese nature-name east-asian

By meaningBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yumi mean?

Yumi means abundant beauty or beautiful reason in Japanese, depending on the kanji characters used to write it. It can also mean bow as in an archery bow.

How do you pronounce Yumi?

It is said YOO-mee, two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Yumi a boy or girl name?

Yumi is used as a girls' name in Japanese-speaking communities.

How popular is Yumi?

Yumi is a classic Japanese girls' name with steady use throughout the 20th century and ongoing popularity in Japan and the Japanese diaspora.