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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Cherish/pamper me
- Origin
- Yoruba
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- KEM-ee
Kemi is a Yoruba name, pronounced KEM-ee, with a meaning of 'cherish me' or 'pamper me.' You may see it described elsewhere as meaning 'joy,' but that's not what the sourced etymology shows. It's a short, clean, modern choice for parents who want a name with real linguistic roots.
Meaning & Origin of Kemi
Meaning: Cherish/pamper me.
Origin: Yoruba.
A common claim: Often said to mean 'joy' or 'the one who brings joy' Actually: Kemi is better documented as meaning "cherish me" or "pamper me," rather than "joy."
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Kemi
KEM-eeIPA /ˈkɛmi/
Popularity of Kemi
Kemi reached its highest U.S. usage in 1978, ranking #4354 with 16 babies given the name that year. By 2024, it had fallen to #9871 with just 10 babies, based on Social Security data spanning 1961 to 2024.
Names Like Kemi
These names share Kemi’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Kemi mean?
Cherish/pamper me. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Kemi?
Kemi is pronounced KEM-ee (IPA: /ˈkɛmi/).
Is Kemi a popular name right now?
Kemi peaked at #4354 in 1978 and is ranked #9871 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1961–2024.)
Make Kemi Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Kemi, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Kemi? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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