"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
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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
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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
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Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ume
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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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.
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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