Amai Unisex

Popularity: #935 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-MY //ɑːˈmaɪ//

Origin: Japanese; Hebrew

Meaning: Japanese: sweet; Hebrew: my mother

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Amai has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Japanese word "amai," which translates to "sweet" or "gentle." This etymological origin reflects a cultural appreciation for qualities associated with kindness and tenderness. The name may also be connected to various African languages, where it can mean "to be loved" or "beloved," showcasing a different yet complementary aspect of affection and warmth.

The transition of the name into English contexts is less documented, but it likely occurred through cultural exchanges and the globalization of names in the 20th century. Historically, names similar to Amai have been used in various cultures to convey positive attributes.

In Japan, names that incorporate the kanji for "sweet" often symbolize a gentle nature or a nurturing spirit, which has been a valued trait in many societies. While specific historical milestones for the name Amai are not extensively recorded, the use of names reflecting sweetness and gentleness can be traced back through centuries in literature and folklore, emphasizing their cultural significance.

Culturally, the resonance of the name Amai can be seen in its associations with love and affection, making it a fitting choice for a girl. In various traditions, names that evoke positive emotions or characteristics tend to endure across generations, as they are often imbued with hopes and aspirations from parents to their children.

The name Amai, with its gentle connotations, aligns with a broader tradition of names that celebrate nurturing qualities, contributing to its lasting appeal.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Amai, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Amai was first seen in the United States in 2005.

Amai has ranked as high as #5471 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York.

In the past 5 years the name Amai has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Amai is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Amai was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Amai.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 28 15 13
2024 52 38 14
2023 14 0 14
2022 17 0 17
2021 21 5 16
2020 20 5 15
2019 20 0 20
2018 13 0 13
2017 15 0 15
2016 5 0 5
2015 9 0 9
2014 5 0 5
2012 8 0 8
2008 6 0 6
2007 5 0 5
2006 5 0 5
2005 6 0 6

Top States for Amai (2023)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 6
100%