107 Beautiful Japanese Girl Names You’ll Love for Your Daughter

Owing to rich and historic Japanese culture, Japanese girl names are some of the most beautiful any parent could choose for their baby girl.

With more and more parents choosing to give their children more unique names, it's no surprise to see Japanese girl names rising in popularity around the world, as well as Japanese boy names - and even other cultures like Egyptian names. After all, what could be more unique than a name written in totally different script?!

Japanese names often carry several meanings, so it can be tough to choose one. We'll bring you into the world of Japanese name culture and how they're written, and bring you some of our absolute favourites, from popular Japanese girl names to rare Japanese girl names, and everything in between.

You may not know that the number seven is very important in Japanese culture, which is why we've got 107 of the very best, beautiful Japanese girl names for you.

The history of names in Japanese culture

The Japanese language is primarily made-up of kanji characters, the symbols we think of that come from the Chinese language.

However, kanji characters can have different meanings or pronunciations. And then there are hiragana or katakana characters, simplified versions of the kanji, each with their own set of meanings and pronunciations.

In modern Japanese society, it is more common to see a baby girl given a name containing just one kanji. Throughout history, though, it was considered more meaningful to give a baby girl two or even three kanji characters. That's why you will see plenty of names on this list that combine two separate names into one.

It's very common for Japanese girl names to end in ko, a suffix meaning 'child'. This harks back to a time when

You may have also noticed that the Japanese people use their surname or family name first, and their given name second.

Popular Japanese names for a baby girl

Let's start off with the most popular Japanese girl names. These names on this list are a combination of the most popular names for girls in Japan, and the most popular Japanese girl names outside of Japan.

1. Akari

Akari simply means 'light'. But it is also the name of the Japanese lamps that use very thin paper to create a warm glow.

2. Aoi

Aoi means 'hollyhock', a bright and colour flower loved by gardeners around the world. You'll soon see that nature-inspired names are incredibly popular in Japan, especially for girls.

3. Ema

Ema is the Japanese version of Emma, which is, of course, very popular across Europe and English-speaking countries. And they do have different meanings - Emma means 'universal' or 'whole', whereas Ema's most common meanings are 'to bloom', 'flourish' or 'blossom'.

4. Hana

Another different spelling of a popular Western name, Hana simply means 'flower'.

The Hebrew version, Hannah, means 'grace'. So, there's definitely a lovely connection between the two.

5. Hina

Sitting comfortably in the top 10 in recent years, Hina is comprised of two characters meaning 'sunshine' and 'plants'.

6. Naomi

I bet you didn't realise Naomi was a Japanese name! Well, it does have both Hebrew and Japanese origins.

In Hebrew, it means 'pleasant', while the Japanese version means 'beautiful'. It's also commonly used for boys in Japan, too.

7. Himari

Himari was the most popular name for a Japanese baby girl in 2021, earning itself a spot on this list. Its kanji characters mean 'sunshine' and 'hollyhock'.

You may have noticed it Aoi and Himari both mean 'hollyhock'. That's because aoi and ari are different pronunciations of the kanji character 葵.

8. Jun

One of the most popular Japanese names for girls and boys, Jun's most common interpretations are around 'purity' and 'cleanliness'.

You may also come across Junko, making the name 'pure child'.

9. Mei

Mei is not just consistently one of the most popular Japanese names, it's also one of the most beautiful Japanese girl names, especially with a meaning like 'budding sprout'.

10. Reina

European football fans may think of the Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, but Reina is actually a very popular girls name in Japan which means 'wise'.

Wisdom is considered a very desirable trait for the Japanese people, so it's hardly surprising to see names meaning 'wise' or wisdom' among the most popular.

11. Riko

The first name on this list to use the suffix ko, meaning 'child'. The Ri means 'jasmine', so put them together and Riko means 'jasmine child'.

Parents who give their daughter a name like this hope she grows up to be as beautiful as white jasmine flower.

12. Rin

Rin is another name that popular for a Japanese girl or boy. It means 'dignified'.

13. Sakura

Sakura is perhaps best known in the Western world for the anime series Naruto. You probably know that the cherry blossom tree is synonymous with Japanese culture, and that's the meaning of Sakura.

If you wanted to call your daughter your 'beautiful cherry blossom', you would say 'Utsukushī Sakura'.

14. Tsumugi

Tsumugi is a thin, soft cloth made from silk, which means this name carries a lot of connections to words like 'delicate', 'beautiful', 'grace' and 'refined'.

15. Yua

Yua is a Japanese girl's name that sounds as sweet as its meaning. Yu means 'to tie' or 'to bound', while a means 'love'. Combined, the name Yua means 'bound by love', which is just the most precious meaning for a little girl.

16. Yūna

Yuna is a combination of Yua and Hina, meaning this baby girl will grow up 'bound to plants' or 'bound to nature'.

Traditional Japanese baby girl names

Japanese names, just like any other country or culture's names, come and go. One minute they're the trendy name to use, the next minute they're cast into obscurity.

There are, however, Japanese girl names that stand the test of time. They have defied trends and remained popular for generations. They may not always be the most popular, but they've certainly stuck around.

17. Akemi

Akemi was once the most popular Japanese girls name, in 1965. It's got a lovely meaning behind it; 'tomorrow's beauty'. It has also been linked to 'pure beauty'.

18. Chiyo

Chiyo means 'one thousand generations'. It's been over a century since it was top of baby name charts for Japanese girls, but it has made somewhat of a comeback in recent years, perfectly showcasing its longevity.

19. Fumiko

Fumiko is a great example of parents hoping to inspire a certain life upon their little girl. It mean's 'wealthy beautiful child'.

20. Hanako

Hanako means 'flower child', and is another example of Japanese girl names being linked to nature.

As you may have guessed, it's the combination of Hana, meaning 'flower', and the suffix ko that we explained earlier.

Many parents give their baby girl the full name Hanako with the intention of calling her Hana.

21. Kanako

If you want your little girl to have plenty of friends, you might name her Kanako, which roughly translates to 'child who gets along well with others'.

22. Kaori

Kaori is a name that requires you to look between the lines of the literal meanings. Taken literally, Kaori means 'scented woven fabric' which isn't a particularly inspiring meaning.

The character 香 means scent, but one that is intoxicating over overwhelming, while 織 means 'woven'. In a metaphorical sense, it is hoped that Kaori's life will be woven with love and good fortune.

23. Keiko

Keiko is a sweet name meaning either 'graceful child' or 'blessed child, and it's that first meaning that makes it the Japanese version of the name Grace.

24. Mayumi

Mayumi is the name of the Japanese spindle tree, known for its elegance and supple branches. It is thought that the spindle tree represents the grace and beauty of a woman.

25. Ruka

Ruka means 'lapis flower', a bright purple flower with very delicate petals.

26. Sachiko

What is the one thing we want for our baby girl? Hopefully you answered 'for her to be happy'. Well, Sachiko is a very traditional name meaning 'happy child'.

27. Suiren

Suiren is name that is both traditional and unique, with a wonderful meaning behind it. The literal translation is 'sleeping lotus', a term used to described a water lily.

28. Tamao

Tamao is one of the older sounding Japanese girl names. Think about what you would consider to be a Western grandmother's name, and that's what Tamao is in Japan.

It has quite a unique meaning, though, 'central pearl.

29. Tomoe

Arguably the most famous female warrior in Japan's history, Tomoe is one of the strongest Japanese baby names you could give your daughter.

30. Ume

Pronounced 'you-mee', Ume blossom is a tree native to China but also found in Japan. Also know as the plum blossom or Japanese apricot, ume blossoms symbolise resilience given that they bloom at the height of winter.

Cute Japanese girl names

So many Japanese girl names are incredibly sweet, both in how they sound and the meanings behind them. The suffix ko, meaning 'child', is enough to make any name that bit sweeter.

These are our favourite cute Japanese girl names.

31. Akiko

This Japanese girls name means 'autumn child', making it an sweet and apt choice for a baby girl born during the autumn months.

32. Ami

Pronounced just like Amy, this is a name sometimes given to a second born baby girl. The a typically means second, while mi means 'beautiful'. So it's like called her your 'second beautiful girl'.

33. Aya

Aya is one of the cutest Japanese girl names, in my opinion at least!

It means 'colour' or 'design', but it's more specifically linked with the vibrancy of colour and design.

34. Ayami

Trying to claim a spot on our list of ocean names for girls and boys, Ayami takes the 'vibrancy' from Aya and applies it to the ocean to give the meaning 'vibrancy of the ocean'.

35. Chiha

The sky is the limit for a little Chiha, whose name means 'one thousands wings'. It's a name and meaning that is usually associated with doves or butterflies.

36. Chika

Chika is a lovely name meaning 'scattered flowers'. The literal translation is 'a thousand flowers', but the consensus is that in order for there to be a thousand flowers, they'd have to be pretty scattered.

37. Emi

Emi is such an adorable Japanese girl name. Pronounced in the same way we would say 'Emmy', it is known to mean 'beautiful picture'.

38. Etsuko

Etsuko really is one of the most beautiful Japanese names, with a meaning like 'joy child'.

It's a name that perfectly summarises both the type of life you hope for your daughter, but also the impact she'll have on your life.

39. Hanae

Given how close it is to Hana (flower), it's perhaps no surprise to see that Hanae means 'blossom'.

40. Hoshiko

If you want to inspire a love of the night sky in your baby girl, Hoshiko might be the name for you. It means 'star child'.

41. Hinata

Hinata has a couple of similar meanings all related to the sun, including 'sunny place', 'towards the sun' or 'sunflower'.

42. Ichika

Ichika is an adorable sounding name with several meanings behind it. In some parts, it's interpreted to mean 'one summer'.

It has also been connected with words such as 'love', 'hope', 'beginning', 'flower', 'beautiful', 'affection' or 'fragrance'.

43. Izumi

Izumi means 'spring', but perhaps not in the sense you might expect.

While it's commonly used for a baby girl born in spring, Izumi is an ancient samurai town on Japan's most southerly major island, Kyushu, known for its water springs. As such, some have adapted the meaning to 'fountain'.

44. Kei

There are plenty of unisex names in Japanese culture, and Kei is one of the more popular. It sounds very cute but is quite peculiar when it comes to the meaning.

It has multiple meanings including 'intelligent', 'to congratulate', 'respect', 'joyous', 'blessed', and 'gemstone'.

45. Kiku

While plenty of Japanese baby girl names refer to 'flower' generally, Kiku is one that has a meaning related to a specific flower, the chrysanthemum.

46. Koharu

Koharu is a lovely name for a baby girl born in the late summer months. It means, you guessed it, 'late summer'.

47. Mai

Pronounced 'my' rather than 'may', it's a name that means 'dance' or 'brightness'. Dance is the more common interpretation given that it's also the name of a traditional Japanese form of dance.

48. Maiko

If Mai means dance and ko means child, we get...'dancing child'.

49. Miho

Any name containing mi will have a connection with the word 'beautiful', while the ho means 'protect'.

50. Mio

As we've seen already on this list, mi means 'beautiful' while the o can mean either 'thread' or 'cherry blossom'.

It has been linked to 'beautiful blossom', but 'beautiful cherry blossom' seems the more likely interpretation.

51. Mika

No, not the high-pitched, curly haired singer who released Grace Kelly in 2007. But it is pronounced in the same way! It means 'beautiful flower'.

52. Mitsuki

Mitsuki is one of those Japanese baby girl names that sounds incredibly traditional yet absolutely adorable. It means 'beautiful moon'.

53. Miyu

Miyu is a sweet name with quite a magical meaning behind it.

It means 'ocean dream', and parents often give this name to their baby girl in the hope that her hopes and dreams will be as vast and deep and the oceans.

54. Moriko

As someone who loves spending time in the forest, I'll admit I was quite taken with the name Moriko. It means 'forest child'.

55. Natsuko

Along with Koharu, Natsuko is a popular choice for a baby girl born in summer because it means...'summer child'.

56. Noa

Noah has consistently been one of the most popular boy names in the UK and US in recent years, but this spelling is a Japanese girls name.

57. Rei

Rei (can also be spelled 'Rai') is the Japanese word for 'beautiful' or 'graceful'. There are also interpretations linking it to 'bell'.

58. Saki

Saki means 'to bloom', so it's a popular name to give to a baby girl born in spring. Given the connection, over time it has become known to mean 'spring child' as well as 'bloom'.

59. Sayo

Sayo is a sweet-sounding Japanese name with an intriguing meaning. It means 'sand world'.

And while that may seem an odd choice, the Japanese people think of its beautiful white sandy beaches, rather than the dry deserts of the world.

60. Shiori

Shiori is a lovely Japanese girls name with plenty of meanings, so you can probably take your pick.

The most literal translation is 'bookmark', making it a popular choice with book lovers. However, others have also connected it to words such as 'poem', 'graceful' and 'weave'.

61. Tsukiko

Tsukiko means 'moon child', and could be used for a baby girl born on the night of a full moon.

62. Yuriko

Yuriko is one of the more popular Japanese names for girls, which is hardly surprising given that it means 'lily child'.

63. Yui

A soft and delicate name for a Japanese baby girl meaning 'excellence' or 'superiority'.

Unique Japanese girl names

There are definitely plenty of unique or rare Japanese girl names that could be exactly what you're looking for. Now, rare or unique could be mean different things.

It could be a popular Japanese name with a truly unique meaning, it could be a Japanese name that you really don't see or hear often, or it could be the translation of a Western name that has gained popularity in Japan.

Whatever the reason, here are some of our favourite unique Japanese girl names.

64. Amaya

A Japanese girl name that you could imagine being a more western name, Amaya perhaps sounds better than its meaning.

The most common interpretation is 'night rain', which sounds quite intriguing. However, it's also been taken to mean 'mother city', and ominously, 'the end'.

65. Anji

Pronounced just like the Western name Angie, Anji means 'purple apricot'. And while natural names for girls are very common in Japan, 'purple apricot' is a very specific meaning and makes this one unique.

66. Ariel

This name had a surge in popularity after the Disney classic The Little Mermaid was released in 1991 (it's US release was 1989, but didn't come out in Japan until two years later!).

That's because the Japanese characters 泡姫 translate to 'bubble princess', which could be pronounced as either Arieru or...Ariel.

67. Chiaki

Chiaki is a really fascinating Japanese girls name. It's typically taken to mean either 'gathered wisdom' or 'sparkling light'.

68. Chiyoko

Chiyoko is a name that reflect on familial and cultural heritage, meaning 'child of a thousand generations'.

69. Daiana

Daiana is the Japanese spelling of Diana and is pronounced in the same way.

Little Daiana's started popping up during the 80s and 90s thanks to the impact the late Princess Diana of Wales had on the country's people.

As she was in many countries around the world, Diana was loved by the Japanese people.

70. Eren

Eren certainly isn't a name with Japanese origins, but is has grown in usage in recent years, thanks largely to the US talkshow host, Ellen DeGeneres.

The closest translations or meanings of Eren are 'pure heart, 'forever and ever' or 'blessed'.

71. Fuyuko

When the birth of your baby girl brings all the joy and warmth to your lives in the cold and crisp of winter, Fuyuko is the name for you. The kanji combine to translate to 'winter child'.

72. Honoka

If you want your baby girl to defy gender stereotypes and the delicacy that is behind so many Japanese girl names, Honoka could be a great chance.

It means 'beautiful flame', suggesting a certain spark and danger.

73. Karen

Despite what the name Karen has become in western society, the Japanese version means 'flower', 'lotus' or 'water lily', which makes it rather lovely.

There's also a greater emphasis on the ren, giving it another distinction from the western version.

74. Kyō

A gender neutral name, Kyō typically means to 'unite' or 'cooperate'. However, it can also mean 'capital city' (Kyoto, the former Japanese capital), 'village', or 'apricot'.

75. Marin

Marilyn Monroe was a hugely popular figure in Japan and sparked the use of the name Marin, which itself means 'seven seas'.

76. Miran

Miran is one of the rarer Japanese girl names that is rising in popularity thanks to a child actress. It means 'turquoise sky'.

77. Midori

Midori means 'green', giving this name a very close connection to nature. The colour green also symbolises good fortune in Japanese culture.

78. Nanami

Nanami is a fairly unique, but very special, name in Japan. It means 'seven beauties' or 'seven times as beautiful', emphasising the person's beauty.

The number seven is incredibly important in Japan, and it considered to be their lucky number.

79. Nezumi

The name Nezumi is composed of these characters, 音頭美, which mean 'sound', 'brains' and 'beauty'.

Not only does the name itself fall under the label 'rare Japanese girl names', but to have three meanings like that is also quite a unique combination.

80. Rabuha

The most translatable meaning of the name Rabuha is 'love heart', which makes it quite a cute (but very unique) name. However, it's the type of name that sparks some debate in Japan, with some believing that it's an unnatural meaning.

81. Raburi

Raburi is a very rare Japanese name and it's actually the Japanese word for 'lovely'. It's also been interpreted as 'jasmine', too.

82. Yukina

Despite its relative rarity, Yukina inspires happy thoughts among all she meets. It means 'snow flower' and it considered so special because it symbolises the first flowers that bloom in spring after notoriously harsh winters.

More Japanese girl names

Some names are hard to categorise. From the strong to the cool, this is simply a collection of more Japanese names for a baby girl.

83. Asuka

Asuka can be used for a baby boy, but it's definitely more common for a Japanese girls. It means either 'bird' or 'to fly', so your baby girl can spread her wings.

84. Chieko

Nearly every parent would describe having a baby girl as 'a thousand blessings', which is what this lovely name means. It's also been known to mean 'wise child'.

85. Chinastu

There are plenty of Japanese baby girl names related to 'summer', but Chinatsu carries a certain distinction, meaning 'a thousand summers'.

86. Chōko

This sweet name combines the characters 蝶 meaning 'butterfly' with the ko suffix meaning 'child', So, Chōko means 'butterfly child'.

87. Haruko

Haruko has connections with the words 'light' or 'sun', but the most common translation is 'spring child'.

88. Hoshi

Pronounced 'ho-shee' rather than 'hosh-ee', this is a beautiful Japanese girls name with a simple meaning - 'star'.

89. Hitomi

Hitomi is an wondrous name laced with deep meaning. Hito means 'wisdom' or 'intellect' and mi, of course means 'beautiful'.

However, it's also been associated with the phrase 'beautiful history', which could be a unique way to pay homage to your families rich history.

90. Mao

Some interpret the name Mao to mean 'true' or 'genuine', 'cherry blossom' or 'dance'. However, the most common meaning is 'true centre'.

91. Mami

Another one of the Japanese girl names with several meanings; Mami can mean either 'true beauty' or 'flax', the flowering plant. It was particularly popular between the 70s and 90s.

92. Mari

Pronounced 'mah-ree' rather than how westerns would pronounce Mary, it has plenty of meanings, including 'love', 'clever' 'star of the sea', 'rebellion' and 'bitterness'.

But the most common interpretations are 'truth' and 'reason'.

93. Misaki

Misaki is a beautiful Japanese floral name meaning 'beautiful blossom'. And there's no doubt you'll look at your baby girl and think that she's your beautiful blossom.

94. Kaede

Pronounced 'kay-eh-deh', Kaede is yet another nature-inspire Japanese name meaning 'maple tree'.

Although we might usually associate the maple tree with Canada, it's a very recognisable part of Japanese culture. It is thought to symbolise peace and longevity.

95. Kimiko

Like plenty of Japanese girl names, Kimiko can mean 'beautiful child', but it's usually associated with 'valuable child' or 'noble child'.

96. Kokoro

'Heart', 'mind', 'soul'. These three meanings arguably make Kokoro one of the most beautiful Japanese names around.

97. Naoko

Naoko is sometimes interpreted as 'obedient child', but the better translation is either 'honest child' or 'pure child'.

98. Noriko

Noriko is perhaps one of those names that sound sweeter than their meanings. We know that ko means child, while nori is translated to either 'law' or 'rule'.

99. Satomi

We know that mi means 'beautiful', while sato is associated with words such as 'intelligent', 'clever' and 'bright'. Combined, it's usually taken as 'intelligent child'.

100. Sayuri

While there are a few names meaning 'lily', Sayuri specifically means 'small lily' or 'little lily', making it a great choice for the daughter of a lily... a bit like naming your son 'Jr'.

101. Shun

Pronounced 'shoon', this name will set up your baby girl for a life of success. It means both 'fast' and 'talented'.

102. Shinju

Shinju simply means 'pearl', as precious as your little girl.

103. Shizuka

Shizuka is quite a soft and gentle name combined with the warmth of summer. It means 'quiet summer'.

104. Suzume

Suzume means the sweet little bird 'sparrow'. My son would kill me if I didn't mention that it's also the Japanese name for the Pokemon Spearow.

105. Tomomi

Tomomi is going to grow up being a wonderful and dedicated friend. With a meaning like 'beautiful friend', it's inevitable!

106. Yoshiko

Given the importance of respect and virtue in Japanese culture, it's hardly surprisingly to see a name that means 'respectable child' or 'virtuous child' so popular.

107. Yume

The most common interpretations of Yume are 'dream' and 'vision', however it's also associated with words like 'abundant' and 'rich', and 'bud' or 'sprout'.

FAQs

Which Japanese girl name means 'cherry blossom'?

Japan is, of course, famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. So it's only natural that it has a name carrying the meaning... Sakura.

Why are nature names so popular in Japan?

Japan's vibrant and often unique natural landscape is so engrained in its culture. So it's only natural that parents would want to carry that connection through to their children's names.

Nature names are particularly common for Japanese girls, partly because their are connections with delicacy, beauty and grace.

Which Japanese girl name means 'moon child'?

Tsukiko is the name with the most literal meaning of 'moon child'. However, Mitsuki also means 'beautiful moon', so carries a similar meaning.

Which Japanese girl names mean 'lily'?

The lily is an important symbol in Japan, so it's no surprise to see several names meaning 'lily'. Suiren's literal translation is 'sleeping lotus', which is a term used to describe water lilies, while Yuriko means 'lily child'.

Karen also makes the list, with the meanings 'lotus' or 'lily'. And finally, Sayuri specifically means 'small lily'.

Which Japanese girl names mean star?

We have a couple of names meaning 'star' on this list. Hoshi is a literal translation to 'star', while the name Hoshiko as the ko suffix to make it 'star child'.

And although it's not the most common interpretation, the name Mari has been linked to the term 'star of the sea'.