"beautiful, lovely"
Naomi
Pronunciation: [ n-ay-OHM-ee ]
Does Naomi flow with your last name?
Biblical warmth with timeless elegance
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Meaning & Origin
"From Hebrew 'Noomi'; the biblical Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth, beloved for her wisdom and loyalty"
"pleasant, sweet"
"straight beauty"
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The Story of Naomi
Naomi comes from the Hebrew name 'Na'omiy', meaning 'pleasant' or 'beautiful'. In the Book of Ruth — one of the most beloved short stories in the Bible — Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law who journeys back to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons. After her losses, she bitterly asks to be called 'Mara' (meaning bitter) instead, making the name's original meaning particularly poignant.
Naomi has seen a consistent renaissance through the 2000s and 2010s, driven by supermodel Naomi Campbell, who elevated the name to glamorous status in the 1990s. It also benefits from the growing popularity of Biblical names with depth and story behind them.
The Book of Ruth, featuring Naomi, is read in Jewish communities during Shavuot. The name is also very common in Japan — 'Naomi' in Japanese can be written with characters meaning 'straight beauty'. Japanese author Junichiro Tanizaki wrote a famous novel titled Naomi in 1924.
Historical Record
Naomi first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 127,783 babies have been named Naomi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Naomi is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #44 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Naomi Campbell was one of the first Black supermodels to appear on the cover of French Vogue in 1988
- In Japanese, Naomi can be written 直美 meaning 'straight beauty' and is a common given name
- The Book of Ruth is one of only two books in the Bible named after women (the other being Esther)
Naomi in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Naomi
Naomi Osaka
Athlete
1997
Japanese-American professional tennis player, four-time Grand Slam champion and mental health advocate
Naomi Campbell
Other
1970
British supermodel who was one of the most recognized models of the 1990s and a fashion industry pioneer
Naomi (Biblical)
Religious
Mother-in-law of Ruth in the Book of Ruth, who returns to Bethlehem after loss and whose loyalty is rewarded with redemp...
Mother-in-law of Ruth in the Book of Ruth, who returns to Bethlehem after loss and whose loyalty is rewarded with redemption
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #44
- Total SSA Count
- 4,605
- Cultural Origins
- English Jewish Japanese African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Naomi
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Naomi is also used as a boy name, ranked #19447.
View Naomi as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Naomi →Compare Naomi with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Naomi
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Old High German origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Naomi
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About the Name Naomi
Naomi is a girl name with English, Jewish, Japanese, and African American origins . The name means "beautiful, lovely" in Hebrew .
Is Naomi a boy or girl name? Naomi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #44 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,447. Naomi is more commonly used as a girl name.
Naomi is currently ranked #44 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Naomi has 3 syllables and is pronounced n-ay-OHM-ee, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Naomi include Nomi and Mimi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Naomi include Naomie, Naomy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis