250 Cute, Rare, & Unique Japanese Names for Girls (With Meanings)

If you’re of Japanese heritage, giving your baby girl a Japanese name is a great way to keep them involved with your culture. Finding the right name can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ve gathered 250 of the best Japanese girl names, including cute , popular , and unique options. Plus, we’ll teach you the basics of Japanese naming traditions!

Best Japanese Names for Girls

Popular: Akiko, Haru, Hikaru, Sakura, Yuki
Cute: Aiko, Izumi, Miyu, Risa, Suki
Unique: Ayane, Kairi, Megumi, Nao, Yaeko
Strong: Hayami, Ino, Katsumi, Takemi, Tetsuko
Cool: Amaya, Hibiki, Kohaku, Nanami, Tsukimi

Section 1 of 12:

Popular Japanese Girl Names

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Pick a trendy, popular Japanese girl name. Trendy names are usually popular for a reason—they sound pretty and have positive meanings. Some of these girls’ names are commonly used in Japan, and some are even well-known in other countries. This is a great place to start if you’re looking for a Japanese name for your daughter. ^{[1]
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- Aina (meaning: love and affection)
- Akane (meaning: deep red)
- Akiko (meaning: autumn child)
- Akira (meaning: bright, clear, intelligent)
- Ayako (meaning: color, design)
- Chiharu (meaning: a thousand sunny days)
- Ema (meaning: favor, benefit)
- Haru (meaning: spring, sunshine)
- Hikaru (meaning: light, radiance)
- Jun (meaning: pure, clean)
- Kaori (meaning: fragrance, fabric)
- Kyoko (meaning: respectful child, child of Kyoto)
- Makoto (meaning: sincerity)
- Mei (meaning: bud, sprout, life)
- Miku (meaning: beautiful sky)
- Naomi (meaning: beautiful, straight)
- Reina (meaning: wise)
- Rin (meaning: dignified)
- Sakura (meaning: cherry blossom)
- Tomomi (meaning: beautiful friend)
- Yua (meaning: binding love)
- Yuki (meaning: snow, happiness)

Section 2 of 12:

Cute Japanese Girl Names

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Choose an adorable name with a sweet meaning. Many Japanese names sound “cutesy” to non-speakers, but a lot of them actually do have cute meanings! For example, choose a name that means “love” or “happiness” to let your daughter know how much you love her. Here are some of our favorites: ^{[2]
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- Ai (meaning: love, affection)
- Aika (meaning: love song)
- Aiko (meaning: love, affection, child)
- Ami (meaning: second beautiful)
- Aya (meaning: colorful, delicate)
- Etsuko (meaning: joy child)
- Honoka (meaning: harmony flower)
- Izumi (meaning: fountain, spring)
- Kaoru (meaning: fragrance, fragrant)
- Kazuko (meaning: one harmonious child)
- Kei (meaning: intelligent, gemstone)
- Miyu (meaning: beautiful gentleness)
- Natsumi (meaning: beautiful summer)
- Noa (meaning: my love, affection)
- Rei (meaning: bell, lovely, spirit)
- Risa (meaning: logic, pair, sand)
- Sachiko (meaning: child of happiness)
- Shiori (meaning: bookmark, guide)
- Shizuka (meaning: quiet summer)
- Suki (meaning: beloved)
- Wakana (meaning: young greens/herbs, harmony, playing music)
- Yui (meaning: excellence, superiority, alone, clothing)
- Yūka (meaning: reason, fragrance, gentleness)

Section 3 of 12:

Unique Japanese Girl Names

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Stand out with a unique and interesting name. Some of these names may be relatively common in Japan, but they’re not the most popular options. Others aren’t common at all. Many of these names also have unique meanings, as well. Here are some of our favorites.
- Ayane (meaning: colorful sound)
- Ayano (meaning: color, design)
- Chihiro (meaning: thousand, fathom)
- Chikage (meaning: a thousand views, a thousand shadows)
- Gen (meaning: spring)
- Junko (meaning: obedient child)
- Kairi (meaning: majestic sea)
- Kanako (meaning: fragrance, greens, child)
- Koharu (meaning: little spring)
- Kotone (meaning: harp sound, flute sound)
- Kyō (meaning: capital city, cooperation, apricot)
- Masuyo (meaning: profit, benefit, world)
- Megumi (meaning: favor, love, affection)
- Minato (meaning: harbor)
- Miyako (meaning: beautiful city, beautiful child)
- Mizue (meaning: water glory)
- Mizuki (meaning: felicitous omen, hope)
- Nao (meaning: direct, center)
- Naoko (meaning: child of honesty)
- Shizue (meaning: quiet bay)
- Tsubasa (meaning: wing)
- Yaeko (meaning: multilayered child)
- Yumiko (meaning: child of the bow)

Section 4 of 12:

Traditional Japanese Girl Names

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Opt for a name with a rich history. Many Japanese names have been around for centuries. While some of these aren’t as popular as they once were, choosing a traditional name is a great way to honor your culture. Here are some classic options: ^{[3]
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- Atsuko (meaning: kind child, sincere child)
- Chikako (meaning: friendly parent, friendly child)
- Chiyoko (meaning: child of a thousand generations)
- Fuji (meaning: wisteria)
- Haruna (meaning: spring, flower)
- Kazue (meaning: harmonious blessing, a branch of harmony)
- Kiyoko (meaning: pure child)
- Mayu (meaning: real, genuine, superiority, evening)
- Mariko (meaning: truthful child, ball, long distance)
- Midori (meaning: green)
- Miki (meaning: beautiful and noble, beautiful chronicle)
- Minako (meaning: beautiful child)
- Mitsuko (meaning: shining child)
- Momoko (meaning: peach child)
- Moriko (meaning: forest)
- Nanako (meaning: red apple child)
- Sadako (meaning: chaste child)
- Tomoko (meaning: wise child)
- Tsukiko (meaning: moon child)
- Tsumugi (meaning: pongee; to spin)
- Yoshie (meaning: good, righteous, fragrant)
- Yukiko (meaning: snow child)

Section 5 of 12:

Cool Japanese Girl Names

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Select a name with an interesting meaning. Some Japanese names simply sound cool (especially if you’re from a Western country), while others have unique and interesting meanings. Try one of these if you want your child to have a cool name:
- Amaya (meaning: night rain)
- Asuka (meaning: flying bird, tomorrow)
- Chie (meaning: wisdom, blessing, thousand pictures)
- Chika (meaning: a thousand flowers)
- Hibiki (meaning: echo)
- Hikari (meaning: light)
- Hitomi (meaning: eye, pupil)
- Keiko (meaning: lucky child)
- Kohaku (meaning: amber)
- Kokoro (meaning: heart , soul)
- Mai (meaning: dance, genuine, love)
- Mao (meaning: real, true, genuine)
- Michi (meaning: path)
- Mirai (meaning: future)
- Nanami (meaning: seven seas)
- Natsuko (meaning: summer child)
- Noriko (meaning: child of order)
- Shun (meaning: talented, fast)
- Toshiko (meaning: quick or clever child)
- Tsukimi (meaning: moon viewing)
- Yoshiko (meaning: virtuous child)
- Yuina (meaning: tie, bind, vegetables)
- Yume (meaning: dream, vision)
- Yuna (meaning: gentle, kind)

Section 6 of 12:

Rare Japanese Girl Names

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Opt for a name that isn’t used that often. Some of these names were once popular in Japan but have since fallen out of use. Others may still be relatively known in Japan but aren’t as familiar to those living in other countries. If you want your baby girl to stand out, try one of these rare options:
- Chou (meaning: butterfly)
- Chouko (meaning: butterfly child)
- Emika (meaning: smiling child)
- Hifumi (meaning: one two three)
- Kaede (meaning: maple tree, maple leaf)
- Kanna (meaning: guidance, pear, reed)
- Kyou (meaning: cooperation, village, apricot)
- Mari (meaning: truth, reason, genuine)
- Nana (meaning: seven, spring greens)
- Nobuko (meaning: faithful child)
- Rie (meaning: value, blessing)
- Sachie (meaning: child of joy)
- Sayaka (meaning: clear, brilliant)
- Setsuko (meaning: occasion, period, melody)
- Sumiko (meaning: child of purity)
- Sumire (meaning: violet)
- Suzu (meaning: bell)
- Takako (meaning: many fragrances, child)
- Takara (meaning: treasure, jewel)
- Tamiko (meaning: child of the people)
- Yasu (meaning: calm)

Section 7 of 12:

Strong Japanese Girl Names

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Choose a name that’s powerful or elegant. “Strong” could mean physically powerful, or it could reflect a high status. If you want your daughter to grow up confident and independent, try choosing one of these strong names: ^{[4]
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- Chiyo (meaning: a thousand generations)
- Hayami (meaning: fast water, hurricane)
- Hiroko (meaning: prosperous, abundant child)
- Ino (meaning: boar)
- Iwa (meaning: rock, boulder)
- Japana (meaning: energy, drive, ambition)
- Kana (meaning: powerful)
- Katsu (meaning: victorious)
- Katsumi (meaning: victorious beauty)
- Masako (meaning: elegant child)
- Nariko (meaning: thunder)
- Rui (meaning: fortress, stronghold, sympathy)
- Seiko (meaning: exquisite, success)
- Shinobu (meaning: endurance, perseverance, patience)
- Taeko (meaning: mysterious child)
- Takemi (meaning: strong, durable, beautiful)
- Tatsumaki (meaning: tornado)
- Tetsuko (meaning: iron child)
- Tomiko (meaning: rich child, fortunate child)
- Yū (meaning: excellence, superiority)
- Yuu (meaning: superiority, courage, tenderness)
- Yuuko (meaning: abundant child, superior)

Section 8 of 12:

Japanese Girl Names That Mean “Flower”

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Name your baby girl after a beautiful blossom. Flowers are deeply rooted in Japanese culture and often symbolize beauty and important virtues. While many names simply mean “ flower ,” some are related to specific flowers, like cherry blossoms or jasmine. Here are some examples: ^{[5]
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- Akari (meaning: white jasmine, bright, village)
- Aoi (meaning: hollyhock, althea)
- Ayaka (meaning: colorful flower)
- Ayame (meaning: iris)
- Hana (meaning: flower)
- Hanae (meaning: flower river, flower stream)
- Hanako (meaning: flower child, flower girl)
- Himari (meaning: sunflower)
- Hinata (meaning: sunny place, sunflower)
- Ichika (meaning: one thousand flowers)
- Kanon (meaning: flower sound, flower music)
- Karen (meaning: flower, lotus, water lily, pretty)
- Kiku (meaning: chrysanthemum)
- Mio (meaning: beautiful cherry blossom)
- Misa (meaning: beautiful bloom)
- Misaki (meaning: beautiful blossom)
- Moe (meaning: bud, sprout)
- Momoka (meaning: a hundred flowers, peach blossom)
- Ran (meaning: orchid)
- Riko (meaning: jasmine child)
- Rina (meaning: white jasmine garden)
- Sakiko (meaning: child of bloom, blossom)
- Sakurako (meaning: cherry blossom child)
- Sayuri (meaning: small lily)
- Shion (meaning: aster)
- Tsubaki (meaning: camellia flower)
- Ume (meaning: plum blossom)
- Yuri (meaning: lily)

Section 9 of 12:

Japanese Girl Names That Mean “Star”

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Pick a girl’s name that’s out of this world. If your baby girl lights up your life like stars in the sky, honor that feeling by choosing a name that means “star.” If you can’t find a name you like that directly means “star,” consider choosing one that means something like “twinkle” or “sparkle.” Here are some examples: ^{[6]
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- Akatuboshi (meaning: red star)
- Ayahoshi (meaning: colorful star)
- Ginga (meaning: galaxy)
- Hoshi (meaning: star)
- Hoshikage (meaning: star shadow, starlight)
- Hoshikawa (meaning: star river)
- Hoshiko (meaning: star child)
- Hoshino (meaning: field of stars)
- Kira (meaning: glittering, sparkling)
- Kirameki (meaning: sparkle, glitter)
- Koboshi (meaning: little star)
- Matataki (meaning: twinkle, blink)
- Memehoshi (meaning: dazzling star)
- Myōjō (meaning: bright star, morning star)
- Noborihoshi (meaning: rising star)
- Nozomi (meaning: hope star)
- Seira (meaning: star, shining brightly)
- Subaru (meaning: Pleiades star cluster)
- Uchuu (meaning: universe, outer space)
- Yoihoshi (meaning: evening star)

Section 10 of 12:

Japanese Girl Names That Mean “Beautiful”

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Choose a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl. “Beautiful” and “beauty” are common meanings for many Japanese girls’ names, so there are plenty of options to choose from. Many names also have secondary meanings, like “love” or “sunrise,” so it’s easy to personalize a name to fit your desired meaning. Here are some examples: ^{[7]
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- Aimi (meaning: beautiful love)
- Akemi (meaning: bright beauty, beautiful sunrise)
- Asami (meaning: hemp beauty, morning beauty)
- Ayumi (meaning: walking beauty)
- Emi (meaning: beautiful picture)
- Kimiko (meaning: beautiful child, valuable child)
- Kumiko (meaning: forever beautiful child, enduring beauty)
- Mami (meaning: true beauty)
- Manami (meaning: love and beauty; love and sea)
- Masami (meaning: to become beautiful, true beauty)
- Mayumi (meaning: beautiful, genuine, reason)
- Michiko (meaning: beautiful, wise child)
- Miho (meaning: beautiful, beauty)
- Mika (meaning: beautiful, fragrance)
- Miu (meaning: beautiful feather)
- Miyo (meaning: beautiful era)
- Rumi (meaning: beauty, lapis lazuli)
- Satomi (meaning: beauty, hometown)
- Yumi (meaning: beauty, abundance, friendship)

Section 11 of 12:

Japanese Girl Names Inspired by Nature

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Be inspired by the natural world. Nature is highly respected in Japan, as it plays a key role in the Shinto religion. So, it’s not surprising that many popular Japanese girl names are inspired by nature. Here are some interesting names that will help you connect with the world around you: ^{[8]
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- Airi (meaning: love, affection, white jasmine, pear)
- Aki (meaning: born in autumn, bright, hope)
- Anzu (meaning: apricot)
- Arisa (meaning: sand)
- Azusa (meaning: catalpa tree)
- Chinatsu (meaning: a thousand summers)
- Chō (meaning: butterfly)
- Chōko (meaning: butterfly child)
- Fuyuko (meaning: winter child)
- Haruka (meaning: spring, flower, fragrance, distant)
- Haruko (meaning: light, sun, spring child)
- Hina (meaning: light, sun, day)
- Hotaru (meaning: firefly)
- Kasumi (meaning: mist, haze)
- Natsuki (meaning: summer moon, summer hope)
- Ren (meaning: lotus)
- Saki (meaning: blossom, hope)
- Sana (meaning: sand, beach)
- Saori (meaning: sand, weaving)
- Shinju (meaning: pearl)
- Sora (meaning: sky)
- Suzume (meaning: sparrow)
- Tsubame (meaning: swallow)
- Umeko (meaning: apricot child)
- Yōko (meaning: light, sun, ocean, child)
- Yuzuki (meaning: gentle moon, evening moon)

Section 12 of 12:

Japanese Naming Traditions & Customs

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1
In Japan, the surname is given first. Traditionally, Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on the family, so surnames are written first to acknowledge the social hierarchy and the importance of one’s family. Historically, the family name was the primary identifier, and the given name was secondary and often chosen to reflect the family’s values or hopes for the child. ^{[9]
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- So for example, if your first name is Sakura and your surname is Watanabe, you’d introduce yourself as Watanabe Sakura.
- In Japan, calling someone their first name is reserved for informal settings and close relationships. First names are commonly used among friends, family, and with peers who are close in age.
- In formal settings (business, professional, academic, etc.), it’s standard to call someone by their surname, often followed by a suffix like “san” to show respect. This is also true for addressing someone older than you or of a higher status than you.
2
Japanese names are traditionally written in kanji script. Kanji is a set of characters adapted from Chinese that offer visual representations for each name. Some names can be written with different kanji, so their meanings vary depending on how they’re written. Because kanji can be complex, some parents prefer to use simplified versions called hiragana and katakana. ^{[10]
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- For example, the name Haruka could be written as 晴香 in kanji, はるか in hiragana, or ハルカ in katakana.
- Japanese names use over 3000 kanji characters, so once parents have picked a name, they decide which characters, meaning, and pronunciation to use.
- Some parents choose just one kanji character for their baby’s name, but names are more personalized when they use more characters. Japanese girls’ names typically use 2 or 3, as 4 or more are traditionally reserved for the eldest in the family to show respect.

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250 Cute, Rare, & Unique Japanese Names for Girls (With Meanings)

Best Japanese Names for Girls

Steps

Popular Japanese Girl Names

Cute Japanese Girl Names

Unique Japanese Girl Names

Traditional Japanese Girl Names

Cool Japanese Girl Names

Rare Japanese Girl Names

Strong Japanese Girl Names

Japanese Girl Names That Mean “Flower”

Japanese Girl Names That Mean “Star”

Japanese Girl Names That Mean “Beautiful”

Japanese Girl Names Inspired by Nature

Japanese Naming Traditions & Customs

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