UK girl's name
Minami
Feminine Japanese name meaning "south" or "beautiful wave".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2003. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Minami is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Minami popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2003 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4373, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2003 to 2003. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Minami is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Minami. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2004 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Minami ranked #4373 for girls in England and Wales in 2003, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 3 girls were registered as Minami.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Minami as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4373
2003
Births in 2003
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Minami mean?
Minami is a Japanese name that has its origins in the word "minami" which means "south" in the Japanese language. This name was likely given to children born in the southern regions of Japan or to families who had roots in the southern parts of the country.
The earliest recorded use of the name Minami dates back to the 8th century AD, during the Nara period in Japan. It was a popular name among the nobility and samurai class during this time, as the concept of "south" held cultural significance and was associated with warmth, prosperity, and good fortune.
In ancient Japanese literature, there are references to the name Minami in several historical texts and chronicles, such as the Kojiki (712 AD) and the Nihon Shoki (720 AD). These texts often mentioned individuals with the name Minami in relation to important events or as prominent figures in Japanese society.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Minami was Minami no Tsubone, a court lady who lived during the Heian period (794-1185 AD). She was known for her literary talents and contributed to the compilation of the famous anthology of Japanese poetry, the Kokin Wakashū.
Another prominent figure in Japanese history with the name Minami was Minami Kunisada (1835-1888), a renowned ukiyo-e artist from the late Edo period. He was known for his skilled portrayal of kabuki actors and beautiful women in his woodblock prints.
In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Minami was Minami Jitsudo (1903-1950), a Japanese author and poet. He was a member of the influential literary group known as the Shinkō Sakka Renmei (New Writers' Association) and played a significant role in the development of modern Japanese literature.
Minami Hiroshi (1920-2008) was a respected Japanese businessman and entrepreneur. He founded the electronics company Minami Electric Company, which later became part of the Panasonic Corporation. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts and support of educational initiatives in Japan.
Another notable figure with the name Minami was Minami Yoshitsugu (1919-2003), a Japanese diplomat and politician. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Japan from 1973 to 1976 and played a crucial role in strengthening Japan's international relations during the Cold War era.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Minami by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Minami was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4373 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Minami
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Minami: questions and answers
How popular is the name Minami in the UK right now?
In 2003, Minami was ranked #4373 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Minami most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 3 babies registered as Minami in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Minami?
Feminine Japanese name meaning "south" or "beautiful wave".
How many people are called Minami in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Minami across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.