"plum blossom"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
Ume
Does Ume flow with your last name?
Blooming with hope while winter still lingers
Japanese
Japanese
Delicate
Nature
Floral
Classical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Ume
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Ume
See all →What the Ume report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Ume the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Ume
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Ume head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Ume actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Ume
Ume is a classic Japanese name meaning plum blossom — one of the most beloved and symbolically rich flowers in Japanese culture. Written with the kanji for plum, the ume tree blooms in late winter, often while snow still covers the ground, making it a powerful symbol of perseverance, hope, and the courageous arrival of spring before its time. In Japan, ume has been celebrated in poetry, art, and ceremony for over a thousand years, and visiting ume groves in February remains a beloved seasonal tradition.
Ume is a traditional Japanese name with centuries of continuous use. While it is less common today than newer trends, it retains deep cultural prestige as a classical name with roots in Japan's oldest literary traditions.
The plum blossom holds extraordinary significance in East Asian culture. In Japan it symbolizes perseverance and hope; it is also central to Japanese cuisine through umeboshi pickled plums and umeshu plum wine, both with histories of over a thousand years.
Historical Record
Ume first appeared in US Social Security records in 2014.
Over 5 babies have been named Ume in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ume is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #42,321 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Japan's oldest poetry anthology, the Manyoshu compiled around 759 CE, contains more poems about ume than about cherry blossoms — the plum was the poetic flower of choice for centuries before sakura took over
- Ume Tsuda (1864-1929) was a pioneering Japanese educator who helped found what is now Tsuda University, one of Japan's leading women's universities
- Umeboshi, the intensely sour pickled ume plum, has been eaten in Japan for over a thousand years and is still packed in school lunches today
Ume in Other Languages
Korean
Mae
Chinese
Mei
English
Plum
Japanese
Ume
Popularity Over Time
#42,321
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ume
U
Ume Tsuda
Educator
1864
Japanese educator and pioneer of women's higher education, founder of what became Tsuda University in Tokyo
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #42,321
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ume
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Ume fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Ume →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Ume with...
Same Origin Names (Japanese)
See all Japanese names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Ume
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Ume and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Ume sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Canyla
Girl
Spanish origin
"cinnamon (canela)"
#42,352 in US
Aevyn
Girl
Welsh/Hebrew origin
"God is gracious (via Evan/John)"
#42,229 in US
Aynur
Girl
Arabic origin
"divine light"
#42,275 in US
Ellalee
Girl
Germanic origin
"all, completely"
#42,282 in US
Ivary
Girl
English origin
"White and pure"
#42,416 in US
Pharyn
Girl
American origin
"invented phonetic variant"
#42,504 in US
Ale
Girl
Old Norse origin
"wave, flowing water"
#42,225 in US
Koraleigh
Girl
American English blend origin
"Coral meadow; sea beauty of the meadow"
#42,451 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Ume's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ume
What does the name Ume mean?
"plum blossom" (from Japanese). Ume is a classic Japanese name meaning plum blossom — one of the most beloved and symbolically rich flowers in Japanese culture. Written with the kanji for plum, the ume tree blooms in late winter, often while snow still covers the ground, making it a powerful symbol of perseverance, hope, and the courageous arrival of spring before its time. In Japan, ume has been celebrated in poetry, art, and ceremony for over a thousand years, and visiting ume groves in February remains a beloved seasonal tradition.
What is the origin of the name Ume?
Ume has Japanese origins. In Japanese, it means "plum blossom".
Is Ume a boy or girl name?
Ume is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Ume?
Ume is currently ranked #42321 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Ume?
Popular middle name pairings include Ume Hana, Ume Sora, Ume Yuki, Ume Nami, and Ume Haru.
What are good sibling names for Ume?
Names that pair well with Ume as siblings include Sakura, Hana, Yuki, Sora, and Haru.
How many syllables does Ume have?
Ume has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ume a common or rare name?
Ume is an uncommon name, ranked #42321 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ume
Ume is a girl name with Japanese origins . The name means "plum blossom" in Japanese .
Ume is currently ranked #42,321 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ume has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Keep Exploring
Japanese Names
Browse all names with this origin
U
Names Starting with U
More girl names like Ume
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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