The baby name Rumi is a poetic pick with international roots and a trending sound.
Thanks to Ette for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE BABY NAME RUMI MEAN?
Let’s begin in Japan.
In Japanese culture, the exact meaning of a name hinges on the kanji used to write it.
The baby name Rumi might mean lapis lazuli, the blue gemstone; it could refer to current or flow; or there are other options, too.
Elaborations like Rumiko are sometimes heard, too.
But despite this origin, the most famous Rumi was a Persian poet – which takes the meaning of the name Rumi in a very different direction.
LITERARY RUMI
The 13th century Persian writer remains read across the world. Steeped in Sufi mysticism, his work is a mix of poetry and spiritual guidance. Rumi’s writing influenced language and literature for centuries, and continues to do so today.
It was widely translated and remains read nearly everywhere. References to his work abound.
Maybe you’ve heard some of these:
- We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust.
- You are sitting here with us, but you are also out walking in a field at dawn … You are the diver’s clothes lying empty on the beach.
- As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.
- Whatever lifts the corners of your mouth, trust that.
It’s dazzling that he wrote in the 1200s.
He’s likely the best-selling poet in the United States, his centuries-old wisdom outpacing modern literary works.
Back to his name.
Rumi was born Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi.
In Turkish and Persian and other languages close to his native tongue, he known as Melvana, Mevlevi, Mawlavi – of the master.
The title might have come from Rumi’s work as a scholar and professor at a religious school.
ROMAN RUMI
As for the name Rumi?
Rumi means Roman.
The poet lived most of his life in an area that had recently been conquered by Turkish Muslims, the Sultanate of Rum.
We call it as Anatolia today. Back then, its defining characteristic was that it had been settled by the Romans. Trade flourished. Konya was their capital, and it is where Rumi died, was buried, and today has a museum dedicated to his memory.
Such is his fame that we perceive Rumi as his given name.
RUMI CARTER
Actress Josie Maran has two daughters, Indi and Rumi. Rumi was born in 2006. Her name reflects her dad’s Iranian heritage.
Other public figures use the name, too. Born in Pakistan, Rumi Munawar is a UAE-based influencer and content creator.
But when it comes to celebrities, there’s one famous family that puts this name in the spotlight.
Powerhouse musical couple Beyonce and Jay-Z welcomed twins Sir and Rumi in 2017. The twins joined big sister Blue Ivy. Rumi is another girl; Sir is the couple’s only son. The Instagram posts announcing her pregnancy broke records to become the most-liked on the app at that time.
The famous parents have publicly said that their younger daughter is named for their favorite poet, and Jay-Z has referenced Rumi in his lyrics.
Her voice appears on a track on her mom’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter, “Protector.” Her little girl voice opens the song asking, “Mom, can I hear the lullaby please?” If you’re keeping track, that makes Rumi Carter the youngest female artist to ever chart in the Billboard Hot 100.
It has the potential to lift the baby name Rumi in the popularity rankings.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
The baby name Rumi’s second big boost came in June of 2025.
That’s when a new animated musical film called KPop Demon Hunters debuted on Netflix.
It quickly became the most-viewed Netflix film and the best-performing Netflix movie when it was released in theaters.
The story, in brief? K-pop girl group Huntr/x consists of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. They’re mentored by Celine. While they’re known for their music, the young women lead a double life. That’s right, they’re also demon hunters.
In fact, Hunter/x continues a long tradition of using their voices to strengthen the barrier that protects the human world from demons.
Mild spoiler alert: Hunt/r has an archrival and an enemy in the fight for good, too. Because K-pop boy band the Saja Boys? They’re on the side of the demons.
Things get complicated, though. Huntr/x singer Rumi has secrets. So does the Saja Boys’ Jinu.
Rumi is voiced by the talented Arden Cho, who has also appeared in Teen Wolf and Avatar: The Last Airbender. South Korean singer-songwriter EJAE provides Rumi’s singing voice and wrote much of the soundtrack.
One more credit? The young Rumi is voiced by Rumi Oak.
That’s not exactly a coincidence. Rumi Oak is the daughter of KPop Demon Hunters creator and co-director Maggie Kang.
Born in Seoul and raised in Canada, Kang worked on many familiar animated features, including Puss in Boots, Kung Fu Panda 3, and The Lego Ninjago Movie.
Given the runaway success of KPop Demon Hunters, a sequel is now in the works.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME RUMI?
Over the last two decades or so, a handful of boys and girls have been given the baby name Rumi.
In 2002, six girls received the name, marking Rumi’s debut in the popularity data. In 2004, seven boys were named Rumi, the first time the name appeared in the boys’ data.
By 2018, it was 43 girls and 51 boys.
As of 2024, those numbers reached 118 girls and 69 boys.
No question that the baby name Rumi is trending.
Rs and OOS
Rumi Carter and KPop Demon Hunters aside, the baby name Rumi succeeds on sound.
Consider how many unisex R names we’ve embraced in the 21st century. Riley, Rowan, Rory, and Remy/Remi all rank in the current US Top 1000.
And then there’s the OO sound, from vintage Ruby, Lucy, and June to Biblical Jude and Luke. Julian and Juniper, Hugo and Louis and True, Juliette and Ruth.
Then factor in Rumi’s effortless cross-cultural vibe: Middle Eastern and Japanese, but accessible in English. Literary and tied to pop culture.
It’s a winning formula. No surprise Rumi continues to gain in popularity. Names like the Finnish Lumi (snow) and Suvi (summer) are attracting attention, too.
But the baby name Rumi is the one that feels unstoppable.
ROMANTIC and FUTURISTIC
There’s no question that Rumi’s popularity owes much to Bey and Jay-Z’s younger daughter. And the new animated movie heroine makes the name even more appealing.
It’s potentially gender neutral, too.
The baby Rumi carries all the romance and rich meaning of the poet’s words. It has a futuristic, global appeal, too – a name is both past and present, but still straightforward and accessible.
It’s the perfect name for parents seeking something unexpected but not completely unknown.
What do you think of the baby name Rumi?
First published on December 17, 2023, this post was revised on February 4, 2025 and September 3, 2025.
Actually he was born and raised in afghanistan he was afghan refused to other countries
I like Rumi, including the possible nn Rue which reminds me of the character from the Hunger Games.
It would make sense if Beyonce chose Rumi with the Japanese meaning lapis lazuli, as this would create a connection with sister Blue as the stone has a dark blue colour.
Clare, that’s an excellent point about the color connection.
I named my daughter Rumi Wren. I had never heard of a modern person named Rumi before!
What a lovely name with great meanings! I remember hearing it back in 2006 when Rumi Joon was born, but I had completely forgotten about it until this post. Thanks for the reminder!
I used to work with a woman whose son was named Rumi. Her husband had immigrated from Iran and he wanted a Persian name, but they are Christians and my co-worker didn’t want a name Americans might consider Islamic… so Rumi was their compromise. I understood that Rumi isn’t usually used as given a name in Iran, but that basically every time a Iranian-American heard his name they would just gush in appreciation.
I love Rumi! The poet and the name. A favored combination from my list: Lorelei Rumi Yvaine.
That’s really interesting! My brother and his Japanese wife just had a daughter they named Ruli, which my SIL said was Lapis lazuli in Japanese. Translations/transliterations have lots of wiggle room, I guess. Rumi feels more “name-like” to me, and I think it’s a great unisex pick! I could see Rumi as a brother for River or Kai, or as a sister for Willow or Leila.