נָעֳמִי
Naomi / Naomi
“Pleasant/delightful”
Naomi (נָעֳמִי, Naomi) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “pleasant/delightful,” pronounced “na-o-MI.” From the Hebrew root נ-ע-ם (nun-ayin-mem) meaning 'to be pleasant, to be delightful.' The name Na'omi means 'my pleasantness' or 'my delight.' It contrasts with Mara (מָרָה, 'bitter'), the name she temporarily adopted in her grief.
| Hebrew | נָעֳמִי |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Naomi |
| English Name | Naomi |
| Meaning | Pleasant/delightful |
| Pronunciation | na-o-MI |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Na'omi, Noemi, Noemí, Naomie |
| Key Scripture | Ruth 1:20-21 |
Naomi's story is a journey from sweetness to bitterness and back again. Her name means 'pleasant' or 'my delight,' but after losing her husband and both sons in Moab, she returned to Bethlehem telling the townswomen: 'Don't call me Naomi — call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter' (Ruth 1:20). She renamed herself from Pleasant to Bitter, trading her identity for her grief. But the Book of Ruth is the story of how God restored Naomi's name: through Ruth's loyalty and Boaz's redemption, Naomi held a grandson in her arms and the women said, 'Naomi has a son!' — her pleasantness was restored beyond what she had lost.
Key Scripture: Ruth 1:20-21
“'Don't call me Naomi,' she told them. 'Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.'”
What Does Naomi Mean in Hebrew?
From the root נ-ע-ם (nun-ayin-mem) meaning 'pleasant, delightful, sweet.' The name נָעֳמִי includes a possessive suffix: 'my pleasantness/my delight.' Related words include 'no'am' (pleasantness), 'na'im' (pleasant), and the name Noam. Her self-renaming to Mara (bitter) from the root מ-ר-ר creates one of Scripture's most powerful contrasts.
Naomi in the Bible
Naomi is the emotional center of the Book of Ruth, whose journey from fullness to emptiness and back to fullness provides the narrative framework. Her guidance of Ruth toward Boaz as kinsman-redeemer resulted in their marriage, the birth of Obed, and ultimately the Davidic and messianic line. She represents the biblical theme that God restores what was lost.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Naomi's story has become a universal metaphor for resilience and restoration after loss. Her relationship with Ruth is celebrated as one of the greatest intergenerational bonds in literature. In Jewish tradition, Naomi is honored as the wise mentor who guided Ruth — a foreigner — into the covenant community and toward her redemptive destiny.
Naomi has been steadily popular, currently ranking in the top 60 girls' names in the US. It has cross-cultural appeal, used in Japanese culture as well (meaning 'beautiful' in Japanese). Supermodel Naomi Campbell and actress Naomi Watts have given it modern celebrity recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Naomi
What does Naomi mean in Hebrew?
Naomi (נָעֳמִי, Naomi) means “Pleasant/delightful” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew root נ-ע-ם (nun-ayin-mem) meaning 'to be pleasant, to be delightful.' The name Na'omi means 'my pleasantness' or 'my delight.' It contrasts with Mara (מָרָה, 'bitter'), the name she temporarily adopted in her grief.
How do you pronounce Naomi in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Naomi is “na-o-MI.” The name is written נָעֳמִי in Hebrew script.
What does Naomi mean in Hebrew?
Naomi (נָעֳמִי) means 'my pleasantness' or 'my delight' in Hebrew, from the root נ-ע-ם (nun-ayin-mem) meaning 'to be pleasant.' The name's beauty is highlighted by Naomi's own wordplay when she asked to be called Mara ('bitter') instead, creating a contrast between her name's meaning and her life's suffering that God ultimately resolved through restoration.
Why did Naomi change her name to Mara?
After losing her husband Elimelech and both sons Mahlon and Chilion in Moab, Naomi returned to Bethlehem devastated. She told the townswomen: 'Call me Mara (bitter), because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty' (Ruth 1:20-21). The name change expressed her total grief — she felt her identity as 'Pleasant' was no longer true.
How was Naomi's life restored?
Through Ruth's loyal devotion and marriage to Boaz (a kinsman-redeemer), Naomi gained a grandson, Obed. The women of Bethlehem declared Ruth 'better to you than seven sons' and placed the baby in Naomi's lap, saying 'Naomi has a son!' (Ruth 4:14-17). What she lost in Moab was abundantly restored — and Obed became the grandfather of King David.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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