Sumie
A feminine Japanese name meaning "plum blossom" or "violet color".
Name Census estimates that about 9 living Americans carry the first name Sumie. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Sumie today is around 89 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Sumie births was 1927 (21 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Sumie. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Sumie is about 89 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Sumies were born before 1947.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Sumie. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
9
~ 1 in 38,083,815 Americans
Peak year
1927
21 babies that year
Average age
89
years old
1940 SSA rank
#4,956
Tracked since 1915
Popularity
Sumie: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Sumie from the 1910s through to the 1940s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 137 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sumie by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Sumie during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Sumies live
Origin
Meaning and history of Sumie
The name Sumie has its origins in Japanese culture. It is a feminine given name that is believed to have derived from the Japanese word "sumi," which means "ink" or "black ink." The name likely emerged during the Edo period (1603-1868) when the art of calligraphy and ink painting (sumie) flourished in Japan.
In traditional Japanese culture, the art of sumie, or ink painting, was highly revered and considered a form of meditation and self-expression. The name Sumie may have been given to girls born into families of artists, calligraphers, or those who valued the art form.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sumie can be found in the literary works of the Edo period. Sumie Nishi (1737-1817), a renowned Japanese poet and calligrapher, was known for her exceptional skills in waka poetry and calligraphy.
Another notable figure in history with the name Sumie was Sumie Seo (1899-1992), a Japanese actress and singer who gained popularity during the early 20th century. She was an influential figure in the entertainment industry and paved the way for many aspiring actresses and singers.
Sumie Takahatake (1908-1999) was a renowned Japanese artist known for her intricate woodblock prints and ink paintings. Her works often depicted traditional Japanese subjects and landscapes, capturing the essence of Japanese culture.
In the realm of sports, Sumie Takahashi (born 1964) is a former Japanese professional tennis player. She achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 9 in the world and won several prestigious tournaments during her active years.
Sumie Tanaka (1908-2000) was a Japanese novelist and children's book author. Her works explored themes of family, love, and the complexities of human relationships, resonating with readers across generations.
While the name Sumie may have originated in Japan, it has gained popularity globally, transcending cultural boundaries and inspiring individuals worldwide with its artistic and cultural significance.
People
Sumie + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Sumie as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Sumie: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Sumie?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 9 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Sumie going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 38,083,815 US residents.
Is Sumie a common name?
We classify Sumie as "Very Rare". It ranks above 25.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 223 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Sumie most popular?
The single biggest year for Sumie was 1927, when 21 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Sumie is about 89 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Sumie a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Sumie in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.