Rising since 1987, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Semisi since 1983
Babies named Semisi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 43 |
| 2000s | 75 |
| 2010s | 47 |
| 2020s | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Semisi is a Tongan variant of James that has been used in the United States since at least 1983. The name reached its peak popularity in 2009, and its trajectory has been rising since 1987, indicating consistent if modest growth. As of 2025, it ranked 7,194 among male names, with an incidence of roughly 1 in 155,280 births. The name is especially concentrated in Utah, reflecting the state's significant Tongan-American community. Semisi offers a distinctive alternative to James while remaining easy to pronounce and spell in English.
Semisi is the Tongan adaptation of the English name James, which itself derives from the Hebrew Ya'aqov (Jacob). Introduced by Christian missionaries in the 19th century, it has become a common given name in Tonga and among Tongan diaspora communities.
Where Semisi is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Misi
Variants: Semisi, Semeezi
Sibling names for Semisi
Names that share Semisi's style, for a brother or sister.
