NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Umi

Of Japanese origin, meaning "ocean" or "sea".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Umi is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Umi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 5 births.

This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2000 to 2020. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Umi. 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 2021 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Umi ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2002, when 5 girls were registered as Umi.
  • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Umi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5493

2020

Births in 2020

3

Latest year

Peak year

2002

5 births

Estimated living

24

2026

Meaning

What does Umi mean?

The name Umi has its origins in the Japanese language, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the word "umi," which means "ocean" or "sea" in Japanese. This connection to the vast waters suggests a deep and profound meaning, often associated with the boundless nature of the ocean and its profound depths.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Umi can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient chronicle of Japanese mythology and history, completed in 712 AD. In this text, Umi is mentioned as a character in Japanese folklore, further solidifying the name's long-standing presence in Japanese culture.

Throughout history, the name Umi has been borne by several notable individuals. One such person was Umi no Naishi, a celebrated Japanese poet who lived during the Heian period (794-1185 AD). Her poetic works, which often drew inspiration from the natural world, have been preserved and cherished for centuries.

Another prominent figure named Umi was Umi Yukaba, a renowned Japanese artist and calligrapher who flourished in the 16th century. His intricate brush strokes and mastery of the art form have left an indelible mark on the Japanese artistic tradition.

In the realm of Japanese literature, Umi Akiko stands out as a prominent writer and literary critic of the Meiji era (1868-1912). Her insightful analyses and literary contributions helped shape the cultural landscape of her time.

Moving forward in time, Umi Hirayama was a pioneering Japanese photographer who made significant contributions to the art form in the early 20th century. Her work, which captured the beauty and essence of Japanese landscapes and people, has been widely acclaimed and exhibited globally.

Lastly, Umi Matsuzaki, born in 1925, was a celebrated Japanese actress renowned for her versatility and captivating performances on stage and screen. Her remarkable talent and dedication to her craft left an indelible mark on the Japanese entertainment industry.

These historical figures, spanning various eras and disciplines, exemplify the rich tapestry of individuals who have borne the name Umi, each leaving an enduring legacy in their respective fields.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Umi over time

The chart below shows babies named Umi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Umi, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Umi
01345200020102020

Decades

Umi by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Umi 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 #5493 3 1
2010s #5735 12 4
2000s #3058 9 2

Related

Names similar to Umi

FAQ

Umi: questions and answers

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

In 2020, Umi was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Umi most popular?

The peak year on record was 2002, with 5 babies registered as Umi in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Umi?

Of Japanese origin, meaning "ocean" or "sea".

How many people are called Umi in the UK?

A total of 24 babies have been registered as Umi across the 7 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.