Female Japanese Names

A summertime baby name in Japan.

Niko was used for 20 baby girls in the US last year, and twin sister Nico for another 30 -- though that's still far fewer than the 2600 baby boys who were given one of those two names.

This Old Testament female name has been one of the most popular girls’ names in Israel over the last decade. Also highly popular in Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, and a new entrant to the US Top 1000, it may be misunderstood here as an attempt to streamline and feminize the more familiar Noah – although it's a separate name with a separate derivation.

Japanese name that would have no trouble assimilating — though many would associate it with the dried seaweed used to wrap sushi. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West use Nori as a nickname for their daughter North.

Noriko is most common among Gen X Japanese women, making it a dated choice in Japan.

Distinctive and intriguing relative of Rae.

A sweet and simple Japanese name with several possible meanings, depending on the kanji characters used.

Dainty and doll-like.

In Japan the lotus is the Buddhist symbol of purity and perfection. In the US, Ren can also be short for Lauren or Renee, but it could be misspelt as the more popular Wren.

The original Rhiannon has more appeal.

Rika is most common as a Japanese name, when it means "beautiful village" in one kanji combination. It is also seen as a nickname and given name in Scandinavia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, where Rika originated as a nickname for names such as Fredrika and Henrika.

The Japanese Rikku is familiar in the west as the name of one of the lead characters of the "Final Fantasy" video game series. Voted "hottest character," the fictional Rikku is a thief with a good sense of humor.

Riko is a hugely popular name for baby girls in contemporary Japan, and one that easily translates to the West.

A very popular girls' name in Japan whose sound is consistent with its meaning. Another possibility is Ren.