Girl Old Testament Known
Naomi
beautiful; agreeable
נׇעֳמִי no.o.mi
Naomi (Hebrew: נׇעֳמִי, no.o.mi) means “beautiful; agreeable”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 21 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 4,649 children in the United States, ranking 47. Use is rising. Around 191,837 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Boaz in Ruth 4.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Naomi
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 21 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 4,649 | Rising |
| All-time total | 191,837 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 4,649 in 2025 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Naomi | rank 47 · 4,649 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Argentina | NOEMI | 70 registrations | Births in year |
| Brazil | NOEMI | 26,815 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | NOEMI | 30,125 bearers · mean age 35.7 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Noémi | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Ruth 1:2 |
| Last appears | Ruth 4:17 |
| Cross-references | 213 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Elimelech co-occurrence Appears with Elimelech in Ruth 4.
- Chilion co-occurrence Appears with Chilion in Ruth 4.
- Ruth co-occurrence Appears with Ruth in Ruth 2.
- Mahlon co-occurrence Appears with Mahlon in Ruth 4.
- Boaz co-occurrence Appears with Boaz in Ruth 4.
- Ephrathah co-occurrence Appears with Ephrathah in Ruth 1.
- Obed co-occurrence Appears with Obed in Ruth 4.
- Orpah co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Orpah.
Origin & meaning
A woman living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.1.2; married to Elimelech (H0458);
mother of: Mahlon (H4248) and Chilion (H3630); also called Mara at Rut.1.20;
Also named: ma.ra (מָרָא "Mara" H4755)
§ Naomi = "my delight"
wife of Elimelech, mother of Mahlon and Chilion, and mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah
Naomi, also known as Mara, was an Israelite woman who, after losing her husband and sons, returned from Moab to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth.
The biblical story
Naomi, later known as Mara, was an Israelite woman from Bethlehem who played a significant role in the Book of Ruth. She was the wife of Elimelech and the mother of Mahlon and Chilion.
During a time of famine, Naomi and her family moved to the land of Moab. While there, her sons married Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Tragically, Elimelech and both of Naomi's sons died, leaving her widowed and childless (Rut.1.1-5).
Hearing that the famine in Israel had ended, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. She encouraged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab, but Ruth insisted on accompanying her (Rut.1.6-18). Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, Naomi expressed her bitterness, saying, "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" (Rut.1.20). The name "Mara" means "bitter" in Hebrew.
Naomi played a crucial role in guiding Ruth and helping her find security and provision. She instructed Ruth to glean in the fields of Boaz, a relative of Elimelech (Rut.2.1-3). Later, Naomi encouraged Ruth to seek marriage with Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer, following Israelite custom (Rut.3.1-4).
Through Boaz and Ruth's marriage, Naomi's lineage was preserved. When their son Obed was born, the women of Bethlehem declared to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer" (Rut.4.14). Obed became the grandfather of King David, making Naomi an ancestor of both David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.
Naomi's story is one of loss, faithfulness, and redemption. Her journey from bitterness to joy, through the love and loyalty of Ruth and the providence of God, has made her an enduring example of faith and resilience.
Key verses
Naomi appears in 20 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth–lehem–judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
Ruth 1:2 -
And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
Ruth 1:3 -
And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
Ruth 1:8 -
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Ruth 1:11 -
So they two went until they came to Beth–lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth–lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
Ruth 1:19
Show all 20 references
Ruth (20)
- Ruth 1:2
- Ruth 1:3
- Ruth 1:8
- Ruth 1:11
- Ruth 1:19
- Ruth 1:20
- Ruth 1:21
- Ruth 1:22
- Ruth 2:1
- Ruth 2:2
- Ruth 2:6
- Ruth 2:20
- Ruth 2:22
- Ruth 3:1
- Ruth 4:3
- Ruth 4:5
- Ruth 4:9
- Ruth 4:14
- Ruth 4:16
- Ruth 4:17
Name variants & nicknames
- Mara — the name she took (Ruth 1:20)
- Noemí — Spanish
- Noemi — Portuguese & Italian