Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Yumi
GirlJapanese· “depends on kanji; often reason and beauty”
- Meaning
- depends on kanji; often reason and beauty
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- YOO-mee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,027
- US babies 2025
- 55
- Best rank
- #3,027 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Yumi
Yumi is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “depends on kanji; often reason and beauty”.
Yumi is a Japanese girl's name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen. A common spelling combines characters for reason or cause and for beauty, while another uses a single character meaning bow, as in archery, and others use characters for gentleness or superiority with beauty. Families pick the characters, so no single meaning is fixed. The name has been used in Japan for generations and is also familiar in Korean as a separate name. It is said YOO-mee. Yumiko is a longer form. Yumi is short, bright and easy to say in English.
Popularity over time
Yumi first appears in US Social Security records in 1960. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #3,027, and its highest count, 55 babies. Use has grown 90% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #6,788 in 1980, #11,781 in 2000, #6,175 in 2010, and #3,027 in 2025. Of the 1,022 US girls named Yumi since records began, 27% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 261 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Tzipora, Ahlam, Rawan, Fatou, and Fraidy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yumi ranked highest in California and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1485 | 16 |
| New York | #2061 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Yumi is usually pronounced YOO-mee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with Y and ends in “-mi”.
Middle names for Yumi
A few middle names that flow with Yumi: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yumi
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Lists that include Yumi
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yumi mean?
Yumi is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “depends on kanji; often reason and beauty”.
What is the origin of the name Yumi?
Yumi has Japanese roots. Yumi is a Japanese girl's name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen.
Is Yumi a popular name?
Not especially. Yumi ranked #3,027 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Yumi a boy or girl name?
Yumi is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Yumi?
Yumi is usually pronounced YOO-mee. 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