NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Nami

A Japanese feminine name meaning "wave" or "ocean wave".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 24 girls.

Nami is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Nami popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 7 births.

This profile covers 27 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2019 to 2024. 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.

The latest count is about 71% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 27 living people in the UK are called Nami. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nami ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2023, when 7 boys were registered as Nami.
  • Nami is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 27 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nami as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 52.9% of Nami registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3688

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2023

7 births

Estimated living

27

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Nami

In England and Wales birth records, Nami has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 52.9% of registrations are for boys and 47.1% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

53% boys
47% girls
Boys27 (52.9%)Girls24 (47.1%)

Nami registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,688 in 2024
  • 5 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2023 (7 births)

Nami registered for girls

  • Ranked #3,695 in 2024
  • 6 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2022 (6 births)

Meaning

What does Nami mean?

Nami is a name with origins that can be traced back to various cultures and languages. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name comes from Japan, where it is a feminine name derived from the Japanese word "nami," meaning "wave." This name likely originated during the ancient times of Japan, reflecting the island nation's close connection to the ocean and its appreciation for natural elements.

In Japanese mythology, Nami is also the name of a kami, or Shinto deity, associated with waves and the sea. This connection to the divine further solidifies the name's reverence in Japanese culture and its symbolic ties to the power and beauty of the ocean.

Beyond Japan, the name Nami has also been used in various forms across different cultures and languages. In Arabic, the name "Nami" can mean "growth" or "development," while in Persian, it can translate to "letter" or "message." These diverse meanings reflect the name's versatility and its ability to resonate with different cultural contexts.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nami. One of the earliest recorded examples is Nami Nari, a Japanese sculptor and artist who lived during the Heian period (794-1185 CE). Her intricate wood carvings and Buddhist statues are celebrated as masterpieces of Japanese art.

Another prominent figure was Nami Iwata (1897-1945), a Japanese activist and social reformer who fought for women's rights and labor reforms in the early 20th century. Her advocacy played a crucial role in improving working conditions and advancing gender equality in Japan.

In the realm of literature, Nami Nami-no Mikoto is a legendary figure from the ancient Japanese text Kojiki, one of the oldest chronicles of Japanese history and mythology. She is depicted as a kami, or deity, associated with the sea and waves.

Moving to more recent times, Nami Matsushima (born 1973) is a Japanese actress and singer who has gained popularity for her roles in television dramas and films. Her talent and versatility have made her a celebrated figure in Japanese entertainment.

Finally, Nami Tamaki (born 1976) is a Japanese singer and actress who rose to fame as a member of the popular J-pop group Speed. Her successful solo career and philanthropic efforts have earned her recognition and admiration both in Japan and internationally.

These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and achievements of individuals who have carried the name Nami throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and cultural significance across various regions and time periods.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nami over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Nami in England and Wales, from 2017 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nami, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
036912201720202024

Decades

Nami by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nami 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
2020s #3725 24 5
2010s #4702 3 1

Related

Names similar to Nami

FAQ

Nami: questions and answers

How popular is the name Nami in the UK right now?

In 2024, Nami was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Nami most popular?

The peak year on record was 2023, with 7 babies registered as Nami in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nami?

A Japanese feminine name meaning "wave" or "ocean wave".

How many people are called Nami in the UK?

A total of 27 babies have been registered as Nami across the 6 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.