Naomi
Female nameHebrew
✨ Meaning
Naomi comes from the Hebrew 'na'omi,' meaning 'my pleasantness' or 'my delight,' built on a root meaning pleasant, sweet or agreeable. The biblical narrative turns the meaning into a deliberate point: widowed and bereaved, Naomi asks to be called Mara instead, meaning bitter, because her circumstances no longer match her name. Few names carry a story that comments so directly on what the name itself means.
🌍 Origin
Naomi is the mother-in-law of Ruth in the Book of Ruth, and the loyalty between the two women is one of the most quoted passages in the Hebrew Bible. The name has been used continuously in Jewish communities and was taken up by English Protestants after the Reformation. A separate Japanese name Naomi exists, written with characters meaning honest and beautiful, which is a coincidence of sound rather than a shared origin.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Naomi
- Naomi Campbell
- Naomi Osaka
- Naomi Watts
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Naomi mean?
Naomi means 'my pleasantness' or 'my delight,' from a Hebrew root meaning pleasant or agreeable.
How is Naomi pronounced?
English speakers say nay-OH-mee or ny-OH-mee. The Hebrew pronunciation is closer to nah-oh-MEE.
Is the Japanese name Naomi related?
No. A Japanese name Naomi exists, written with characters meaning honest and beautiful, but it shares only the sound.