Declining since 2020, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Sumi since 1916
Babies named Sumi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 24 |
| 1920s | 67 |
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 18 |
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 18 |
| 2020s | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Sumi is a rare Japanese name in the United States, first recorded in 1916 and peaking in 1927. Its usage has been declining since 2020. The name's meaning depends on the kanji characters chosen, with common interpretations including 'clear' or 'pure' (澄) and 'ink' (墨). As of 2025, Sumi ranks 14,942 in popularity, occurring in approximately 1 in 321,453 births. While not currently in the top 1,000, its simplicity and cultural richness make it a distinctive choice.
Sumi is a name of Japanese origin with several possible meanings depending on the kanji used. Common interpretations include 澄 (sumi, 'clear, pure') and 墨 (sumi, 'ink'). As a given name, it has been used in Japan for at least a century. In the United States, the name first appeared in Social Security records in 1916 and saw its peak usage in 1927, likely reflecting early Japanese immigration patterns.
Sibling names for Sumi
Names that share Sumi's style, for a brother or sister.
