Is Nami a boy's or girl's name?

Nami is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 13 recorded births.

When was Nami most popular?

Nami reached its peak popularity in 2024 with 145 births that year. It is currently ranked #1496 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Nami?

Nami is currently ranked #1496 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,016 babies since 1983.

Nami

An uncommon Japanese pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysJapaneseRising fast Also a pet name

#1496▲ 57in 2024

Meaning & Origin

alternative form of Nomi / clipping of Namitag

Nami is a girl's and boy's baby name of Japanese origin meaning 'wave' or 'surf,' from the Japanese nami (wave). It evokes the ocean's constant motion and the beauty of water. The name also gained enormous cultural recognition through Nami, the skilled navigator in the beloved manga and anime series One Piece.

Nami has a clean, two-syllable simplicity that works beautifully in both Japanese and English contexts. For fans of One Piece, it carries associations of bravery, intelligence, and navigating through storms. A name that's simultaneously simple and carries remarkable depth.

Compare Nami with another name

Popularity Over Time

Nami climbed 12273 spots in the last 20 years — from #13769 to #1496.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Nami
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	554	#1888	▲
2010s	296	#5307	▲
2000s	104	#10136	▲
1990s	42	#13471	▲
1980s	20	#9997	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(34 years, 1983–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Nami
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	145	#1496	+8 (5.8%)
2023	137	#1553	+28 (25.7%)
2022	109	#1866	+19 (21.1%)
2021	90	#2113	+17 (23.3%)
2020	73	#2411	+29 (65.9%)
2019	44	#3536	-4 (-8.3%)
2018	48	#3329	+10 (26.3%)
2017	38	#3973	+2 (5.6%)
2016	36	#4139	+7 (24.1%)
2015	29	#4822	+5 (20.8%)
2014	24	#5582	-2 (-7.7%)
2013	26	#5264	+6 (30.0%)
2012	20	#6509	+6 (42.9%)
2011	14	#8497	-3 (-17.6%)
2010	17	#7423	+2 (13.3%)
2009	15	#8332	-4 (-21.1%)
2008	19	#6998	+6 (46.2%)
2007	13	#9387	+1 (8.3%)
2006	12	#9729	+4 (50.0%)
2005	8	#12671	+1 (14.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Nami as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Nami has also been given to 13 boys in the U.S. since 2023.

#11865

Current rank

Total births

2023

Peak year

Compare Nami as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Nami be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Nami is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #1496. As a boy's name, it ranks #11865.

Nami has two lives

Nami, the baby name

#1496girls

1,016 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1983–2024) · Methodology