What does Kaede mean?
Kaede is written with the kanji for the maple tree, prized for its autumn colour.
What does Nanami mean?
Nanami commonly joins the kanji for “seven” and “sea.”
Kaede vs Nanami
Which is more popular?
Nanami is more popular than Kaede today: about 6 US babies were given the name Nanami in 2025, compared with 5 named Kaede.
| Kaede | Nanami | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Maple | Seven seas |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | kah-EH-deh | nah-NAH-mee |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1997 | 1996 |
| Peak year | 2006 (17) | 2009 (19) |
| In 2025 | 5 | 6 |
| Trend | Declining | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Kaede
Nanami
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Kaede | Nanami |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 30 | 67 |
| 2010s | 109 | 100 |
| 2000s | 96 | 116 |
| 1990s | 13 | 12 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Kaede or Nanami more popular?
Nanami is more popular than Kaede today: about 6 US babies were given the name Nanami in 2025, compared with 5 named Kaede.
What is the difference between Kaede and Nanami?
Kaede means Maple (Japanese origin), while Nanami means Seven seas (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Kaede or Nanami?
In US records, Kaede first appears in 1997 and Nanami in 1996, so Nanami has the longer recorded history.