Declining since 2022.
Popularity of Hemi since 2004
Babies named Hemi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11 | 37 |
| 2010s | 53 | 86 |
| 2020s | 38 | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Hemi is an uncommon given name in the United States, first recorded in 2004. It reached its peak usage in 2023, but overall numbers remain extremely low; the name has never appeared in the Social Security Administration's top 1000 list. After a small rise in popularity, its trajectory has been falling since 2022. The name's meaning is uncertain, but it likely originates as a diminutive of James or as a borrowing from Māori. Its rarity and modern coinage make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a short, two-syllable name with potential cultural ties.
Hemi may derive as a diminutive of James, via the Irish Seamus or Scottish Hamish, or it may be a borrowing from Māori where 'hemi' relates to sound or vibration. Its use as a given name in the United States is recent and rare, first recorded in 2004. The name has no established historical usage outside these contexts.
Sibling names for Hemi
Names that share Hemi's style, for a brother or sister.
