Sumire is a Japanese given name for females that means "violet" or "iris". It is derived from the Japanese word "sumire" which refers to these flowers. The name Sumire has been popular in Japan since ancient times, and it remains a common choice among parents today.
The use of the name Sumire can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185), during which time it was used by several notable figures. One famous historical figure with the name Sumire was a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Court named Sumire no Naishi. She lived in the late 10th century and was known for her beauty, intelligence, and wit.
In literature, the name Sumire has also appeared in various works throughout Japanese history. One notable example is in the Tale of Genji, a classic novel written by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period. In this story, there is a character named Lady Sumire who plays a significant role as one of the lovers of the main character, Hikaru Genji.
The name Sumire has also been used internationally in recent years due to globalization and increased cultural exchange between Japan and other countries around the world. Today, it remains popular among parents looking for unique and meaningful names for their daughters.
The name Sumire has been given to a total of 106 babies in the United States over the past three decades, with some years showing more popularity than others.
In terms of annual trends, the name saw its peak in popularity in recent years, with 11 births recorded in 2018 and 10 births in 2019. This suggests that the name Sumire has been gaining traction among parents in the United States in recent times.
However, it is important to note that the number of births for this name has varied greatly over the years. For instance, there were years when only 5 babies were named Sumire (in 2020 and 2022), while other years saw a significant increase in its popularity (such as 9 births in 2015).
Despite these fluctuations, it is clear that the name Sumire has established itself as a recognizable choice among American parents. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in the coming years and whether the name's popularity peaks again or stabilizes at its current levels.