Nozomi
Meaninghope, wish · Japanese
Nozomi is a Japanese girl name meaning “hope, wish”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Nozomi would score 17 points, thanks largely to the Z (worth 10).
- GenerationNozomi peaked in 1989, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Nozomi you'd meet today is about 36 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Nozomis too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Nozomi would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 270,270 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryNozomi first shows up in US birth records in 1988, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 37 years since.
US births per million girls, 1988–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nozomi
Nozomi is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “hope, wish”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1980s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Nozomi
What does the name Nozomi mean?
Nozomi means “hope, wish” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “hope” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Hope (“hope”), Nadia (“hope”), Esperanza (“hope”) and Amal (“hope”).
What is the origin of the name Nozomi?
Nozomi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Nozomi a boy or girl name?
Nozomi is a girl name. In 2025, 6 US girls were named Nozomi.
How popular is the name Nozomi?
Nozomi ranked #13,208 for US girls in 2025, given to 6 babies. Its best year was 1989, when it reached #8,761. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,880 places.
What names are similar to Nozomi?
If you like Nozomi, you might also like Hope, Nadia, Esperanza and Amal.
What should I know before naming my baby Nozomi?
Nozomi is a Japanese girl name meaning “hope, wish”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.