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