Naomi

Pronunciation: [ n-ay-OHM-ee ]

Girl Name #44 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

Biblical warmth with timeless elegance

English Jewish Japanese African American

Classic Elegant Literary Spiritual Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"beautiful, lovely"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"From Hebrew 'Noomi'; the biblical Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth, beloved for her wisdom and loyalty"

Origin: Biblical

Language: Hebrew

"pleasant, sweet"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"straight beauty"

Origin: Japanese

Language: Japanese

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.

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

Arabic نعومي

French Naomi

Hebrew נָעֳמִי

Italian Noemi

Spanish Noemí

Japanese ナオミ

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

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

Naomie #3081 Naomy #4145

Common Nicknames

Nomi Mimi

Pairs Well With

Naomi Grace Naomi Rose Naomi Elizabeth Naomi Claire Naomi Jane Naomi Ruth Naomi Faith

Sibling Names

Ruth Miriam Esther Eli Ezra Samuel Leah

Also a Boy Name

Naomi is also used as a boy name, ranked #19447.

View Naomi as a boy name →

Similar Names

Noemie Naomie Niomi Naiomi Nahomi Nahomy

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Frequently Asked Questions About Naomi

What does the name Naomi mean?

"beautiful, lovely" (from Hebrew). "From Hebrew 'Noomi'; the biblical Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth, beloved for her wisdom and loyalty" (from Biblical). "pleasant, sweet" (from Hebrew). "straight beauty" (from Japanese). 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.

What is the origin of the name Naomi?

Naomi has Hebrew, Biblical, Japanese, English, Jewish, and African American origins. In Hebrew, it means "beautiful, lovely". In Biblical, it means "From Hebrew 'Noomi'; the biblical Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth, beloved for her wisdom and loyalty". In Hebrew, it means "pleasant, sweet". In Japanese, it means "straight beauty".

Is Naomi a boy or girl name?

Naomi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #44. As a boy name, it is ranked #19447. Naomi is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Naomi?

Naomi is pronounced n-ay-OHM-ee.

How popular is the name Naomi?

Naomi is currently ranked #44 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Naomi?

Common nicknames for Naomi include Nomi and Mimi.

What are good middle names for Naomi?

Popular middle name pairings include Naomi Grace, Naomi Rose, Naomi Elizabeth, Naomi Claire, Naomi Jane, Naomi Ruth, and Naomi Faith.

What are good sibling names for Naomi?

Names that pair well with Naomi as siblings include Ruth, Miriam, Esther, Eli, Ezra, Samuel, and Leah.

How many syllables does Naomi have?

Naomi has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Naomi a common or rare name?

Naomi is a very popular name, ranked #44 among girl names in the United States.

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.