How to say it
nay · OH · mee
neɪˈoʊ.mi
Feminine
Naomi
Pleasant, my delight
What it means
From the Hebrew Na'omi (נָעֳמִי), meaning pleasant or 'my delight.' A name about how the bearer is received.
Naomi in the Bible is the mother-in-law of Ruth, the central figure in the Book of Ruth. After losing her husband and sons, she returns to Bethlehem and says 'don't call me Naomi (pleasant) anymore, call me Mara (bitter), because the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.' The name stayed within Jewish naming for most of two millennia. American Puritans picked it up briefly. The modern wave from the 2000s lifted Naomi into the US top hundred for girls. The Spanish Noemí and Italian Naomi are widely used. Common short forms: Nay, Mimi.
How to spell Naomi
The standard spelling is Naomi. Common variants include Na'omi, Noemí, Noemi, Naoma, but Naomi is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #44 in 2023, currently #47 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
Two accepted pronunciations: NAY-oh-mee (more US) and nay-OH-mee (closer to the Hebrew). Both fine; pick early.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Naomi (Bible) Ruth's mother-in-law in the Book of Ruth
- Naomi Campbell British supermodel since the late 1980s
- Naomi Watts Actress, Mulholland Drive and The Impossible
Spelling variants
- Na'omi
- Noemí
- Noemi
- Naoma
Names with the same feeling
See Naomi from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Naomi mean?
- From the Hebrew Na'omi (נָעֳמִי), meaning pleasant or 'my delight.' A name about how the bearer is received.
- What does Naomi mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Naomi means "Pleasant, my delight." Naomi in the Bible is the mother-in-law of Ruth, the central figure in the Book of Ruth. After losing her husband and sons, she returns to Bethlehem and says 'don't call me Naomi (pleasant) anymore, call me Mara (bitter), because the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.' The name stayed within Jewish naming for most of two millennia. American Puritans picked it up briefly. The modern wave from the 2000s lifted Naomi into the US top hundred for girls. The Spanish Noemí and Italian Naomi are widely used. Common short forms: Nay, Mimi.
- How do you pronounce Naomi?
- Naomi is pronounced neɪˈoʊ.mi. Say it as nay-OH-mee, with the stress on the "oh" syllable.
- How do you spell Naomi?
- The standard spelling is Naomi. Common spelling variants include Na'omi, Noemí, Noemi, Naoma.
- Is Naomi a boy or girl name?
- Naomi is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Naomi?
- Naomi ranked #47 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.