Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Naima
GirlArabic· “comfort, ease”
- Meaning
- comfort, ease
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- nah-EE-muh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,033
- US babies 2025
- 94
- Best rank
- #891 (2006)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Naima
Naima is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “comfort, ease”.
Naima is an Arabic name usually translated as "comfort," "ease" or "a life of tranquility," from a root associated with blessing and well-being. It is used across the Arab world, North Africa and in many Muslim communities, and it has spread into Europe and the Americas as well. Jazz fans know it from John Coltrane's tender ballad Naima, one of his most admired compositions. Pronounced nah-EE-muh, the name has a gentle, flowing rhythm and a meaning that many parents find soothing. It is easy to say in English, needs no nickname, and bridges cultures gracefully for families with roots in more than one tradition.
Popularity over time
Naima first appears in US Social Security records in 1969. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 4 different years, starting in 2005. Its best national rank was #891 in 2006, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 305 were named Naima. In 2025, 94 babies were named Naima, and it ranked #2,033 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,731 in 1980, #2,888 in 2000, #1,202 in 2010, and #2,033 in 2025. Of the 4,757 US girls named Naima since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,648 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jalynn, Sheyla, Neveah, Makaila, and Yamilet.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Naima ranked highest in Virginia, New York, and Illinois.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Naima is usually pronounced nah-EE-muh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-ma”.
Middle names for Naima
A few middle names that flow with Naima: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Naima
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Lists that include Naima
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Naima mean?
Naima is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “comfort, ease”.
What is the origin of the name Naima?
Naima has Arabic roots. Naima is an Arabic name usually translated as "comfort," "ease" or "a life of tranquility," from a root associated with blessing and well-being.
Is Naima a popular name?
Not especially. Naima ranked #2,033 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Naima a boy or girl name?
Naima is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Naima?
Naima is usually pronounced nah-EE-muh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings