Semaj

An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsRising fast
#1069 163in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name originating as a coinage.

Semaj is a boy's and girl's baby name of Unknown origin, a modern American coinage that spells James in reverse — a creative naming tradition in African-American communities of finding new names by reversing familiar ones. James itself means "supplanter" from the Hebrew.

Semaj represents the inventive American naming tradition of reversal names — Nevaeh (heaven backwards), Semaj (James backwards) — that create wholly original-sounding names from beloved existing ones. This practice celebrates creativity and the desire for a distinctive name with familiar roots.

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Popularity Over Time

Semaj was #738 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1069, but its charm endures.

094187281374198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Semaj
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s960
2010s2,450
2000s2,726
1990s835
1980s151
1970s81

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(52 years, 19712024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Semaj
YearBirthsRank
2024204#1069
2023257#906
2022159#1241
2021171#1163
2020169#1151
2019185#1084
2018183#1085
2017195#1035
2016191#1041
2015201#1015
2014221#956
2013251#854
2012295#771
2011374#627
2010354#675
2009362#672
2008338#698
2007310#735
2006319#696
2005293#702

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

Semaj as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Semaj has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 2,019 births since 1974.

#6576
Current rank
2,019
Total births
2009
Peak year
Compare Semaj as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Semaj be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Semaj is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1069. As a girl's name, it ranks #6576.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19712024) · Methodology