"lapis lazuli beauty"
Origin: Japanese 瑠美
Language: Japanese
Rumi
Does Rumi flow with your last name?
The Sufi poet's name, now Jay-Z's daughter — beautifully universal
Japanese
Persian
American
Spiritual
Elegant
Literary
Unique
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"from Rome, Roman; the Anatolian"
Origin: Persian/Arabic Rum
Language: Persian
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The Story of Rumi
Rumi carries beautiful meanings across two major cultures. In Japanese, Rumi (瑠美 or 瑠海) can mean 'lapis lazuli beauty' or 'lapis lazuli sea,' combining the beautiful blue stone with images of beauty or the ocean. In Persian, Rumi means 'from Rome/Anatolia' and was the sobriquet of the 13th-century Sufi poet Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (now known simply as Rumi), one of the most-read poets in the world.
Rumi's profile in Western culture has risen dramatically since Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their daughter Rumi Carter in 2017. The name was already beloved in Japan and among fans of Sufi poetry, but the celebrity naming brought it to mainstream American culture. It now sits at a beautiful intersection of Japanese femininity, Persian spirituality, and American cool.
The Persian poet Rumi (1207-1273) is one of history's greatest spiritual poets. His Masnavi, written in Persian, is sometimes called the Persian Quran. As a Japanese feminine name, Rumi has been popular for decades, particularly written with characters meaning 'lapis lazuli beauty.' The name effortlessly spans cultural boundaries.
Historical Record
Rumi first appeared in US Social Security records in 2002.
Over 778 babies have been named Rumi in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Rumi is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,722 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z named their daughter Rumi Carter, born in 2017, sending the name soaring
- The Persian poet Rumi is one of the best-selling poets in the United States
- In Japanese, the kanji for Rumi can mean 'lapis lazuli' — a precious deep blue stone associated with wisdom
Rumi in Other Languages
Arabic
رومي
English
Rumi
Persian
رومی
Turkish
Rumi
Japanese
瑠美
Popularity Over Time
#1,722
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Rumi
R
Rumi Carter
Other
2017
Daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, whose naming brought global attention to this beautiful name
R
Rumi Hiiragi
Actor
1987
Japanese actress who voiced Chihiro in Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning Spirited Away (2001)
R
Rumi (Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī)
Writer
1207
13th-century Persian-language Sufi mystic and poet, author of the Masnavi and one of the most-read poets in the world
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Compare Rumi with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,722
- Total SSA Count
- 118
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese Persian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Rumi
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Rumi is also used as a boy name, ranked #2145.
View Rumi as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rumi
What does the name Rumi mean?
"lapis lazuli beauty" (from Japanese 瑠美). "from Rome, Roman; the Anatolian" (from Persian/Arabic Rum). Rumi carries beautiful meanings across two major cultures. In Japanese, Rumi (瑠美 or 瑠海) can mean 'lapis lazuli beauty' or 'lapis lazuli sea,' combining the beautiful blue stone with images of beauty or the ocean. In Persian, Rumi means 'from Rome/Anatolia' and was the sobriquet of the 13th-century Sufi poet Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (now known simply as Rumi), one of the most-read poets in the world.
What is the origin of the name Rumi?
Rumi has Japanese 瑠美, Persian/Arabic Rum, Japanese, Persian, and American origins. In Japanese 瑠美, it means "lapis lazuli beauty". In Persian/Arabic Rum, it means "from Rome, Roman; the Anatolian".
Is Rumi a boy or girl name?
Rumi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1722. As a boy name, it is ranked #2145. Rumi is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Rumi?
Rumi is currently ranked #1722 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Rumi?
Popular middle name pairings include Rumi Jade, Rumi Sky, Rumi Rose, Rumi Grace, Rumi Pearl, Rumi Sage, and Rumi Blue.
What are good sibling names for Rumi?
Names that pair well with Rumi as siblings include Seren, Lyric, Poet, Orion, Indigo, Blaise, and Zephyr.
How many syllables does Rumi have?
Rumi has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Rumi a common or rare name?
Rumi is an uncommon name, ranked #1722 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Rumi?
About the Name Rumi
Rumi is a girl name with Japanese, Persian, and American origins . The name means "lapis lazuli beauty" in Japanese 瑠美 .
Is Rumi a boy or girl name? Rumi is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,722 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,145. Rumi is more commonly used as a girl name.
Rumi is currently ranked #1,722 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Rumi has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Rumi include Rumani, Rumaisa, Rumaysa . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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