What does Sumire mean?
Sumire is the Japanese word for the violet flower.
What does Nao mean?
Nao is commonly written with a kanji meaning “honest,” “straight” or “true.”
Sumire vs Nao
Which is more popular?
Sumire and Nao are given to a similar number of US babies today.
| Sumire | Nao | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Violet | Honest, straight |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | soo-MEE-reh | NAH-oh |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1994 | 1980 |
| Peak year | 2018 (11) | 1998 (11) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Sumire
Nao
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Sumire | Nao |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 26 | 5 |
| 2010s | 61 | 10 |
| 2000s | 17 | 30 |
| 1990s | 10 | 29 |
| 1980s | 0 | 21 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Sumire or Nao more popular?
Sumire and Nao are given to a similar number of US babies today.
What is the difference between Sumire and Nao?
Sumire means Violet (Japanese origin), while Nao means Honest, straight (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Sumire or Nao?
In US records, Sumire first appears in 1994 and Nao in 1980, so Nao has the longer recorded history.