What does Aoi mean?
Aoi can mean “hollyhock” or “blue/green,” depending on the kanji.
What does Nagi mean?
Nagi is written with the kanji for the calm “lull” of the sea between wind and waves.
Aoi vs Nagi
Which is more popular?
Aoi is more popular than Nagi today: about 9 US babies were given the name Aoi in 2025, compared with 8 named Nagi.
| Aoi | Nagi | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Hollyhock; blue | Calm, lull |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Pronunciation | AH-oh-ee | NAH-gee |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1994 | 1992 |
| Peak year | 2014 (14) | 2024 (10) |
| In 2025 | 9 | 8 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Aoi
Nagi
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Aoi | Nagi |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 9 | 26 |
| 2010s | 95 | 41 |
| 2000s | 81 | 48 |
| 1990s | 23 | 11 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Aoi or Nagi more popular?
Aoi is more popular than Nagi today: about 9 US babies were given the name Aoi in 2025, compared with 8 named Nagi.
What is the difference between Aoi and Nagi?
Aoi means Hollyhock; blue (Japanese origin), while Nagi means Calm, lull (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Aoi or Nagi?
In US records, Aoi first appears in 1994 and Nagi in 1992, so Nagi has the longer recorded history.