Yumi
Meaningoften beauty; archery bow · Japanese
Yumi is a Japanese and Korean girl name often meaning “beauty; archery bow”. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationYumi is having its moment right now. Most Yumis are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Yumi would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 29,240 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryYumi first shows up in US birth records in 1960, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 65 years since.
US births per million girls, 1960–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Yumi
Yumi is a girl name of Japanese and Korean origin meaning “often beauty; archery bow”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese namesKorean 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 Yumi
What does the name Yumi mean?
Yumi means “often beauty; archery bow” and comes from Japanese.
What is the origin of the name Yumi?
Yumi is Japanese and Korean in origin. Names often travel between languages and cultures, which is why Yumi turns up in more than one tradition. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Yumi a boy or girl name?
Yumi is a girl name. In 2025, 55 US girls were named Yumi.
How popular is the name Yumi?
Yumi ranked #2,998 for US girls in 2025, given to 55 babies. That's its best rank ever: the name is at the height of its popularity right now. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,650 places.
What should I know before naming my baby Yumi?
Yumi is a Japanese and Korean girl name often meaning “beauty; archery bow”. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.