Sei
Gender-neutral name · Japanese
Meaningoften star · Japanese
Sei is a Japanese gender-neutral name often meaning “star”. 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 short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationSei peaked in 2007, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Sei you'd meet today is about 18 years old.
- HistorySei first shows up in US birth records in 2007, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2007–2025
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Sei
Sei is a gender-neutral name of Japanese origin meaning “often star”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
Questions about the name Sei
What does the name Sei mean?
Sei means “often star” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “star” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Stella (“star”), Esther (“star”), Estella (“star”) and Estelle (“star”).
What is the origin of the name Sei?
Sei is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Asa (“healer”) and Rio (“river”).
Is Sei a boy or girl name?
Both. Sei is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Sei?
Sei is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2007. It peaked at #9,788 in 2007, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Sei?
If you like Sei, you might also like Stella, Esther, Estella and Estelle.
What should I know before naming my baby Sei?
Sei is a Japanese gender-neutral name often meaning “star”. 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 short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.