By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 12 pages
of 12
Japanese place name or Celtic
"happy"
Soft, simple, and far more unusual than Tara or Farrah. As a Japanese place name, it's been used occasionally as a surname and is beginning to be used as a first. Nara is also the name of a Hindu…
Japanese
"bright, intelligent"
Akira is a popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games. Akiro is a related name popular for boys.
"beloved child"
Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.
Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Japanese
"secret lore; moon"
A strong and stylish alternative to the super-fashionable Luna, with a double background as a Scandinavian and Japanese name. It's the female form of the Nordic male name Rune, meaning "secret lore",…
Hebrew, Scandinavian, Japanese
"beautiful, pleasant, delightful"
This adorable cross cultural name updates Naomi and offers an accessible Japanese option. The Scandis were the first to contract Naomi to Nomi, once again being ahead of the trend. Nomi strikes the…
Hindi, Japanese
"shadow; sand, bloom + night, palm tree"
A name of both Japanese and Hindi origin, Saya has a bright, sharp sound, reminiscent of Maia and Kaia. Borne by Olympian BMX racer, Saya Sakakibara, wrestler Saya Kamitani, and by weather presenter,…
"broad, widespread"
Hiro is an apt name for a hero of the show Heroes -- and for our times. Widely used in Japan, sometimes also for girls. Hiroshi is a long form.
"cherry blossom"
Lovely Japanese name that would certainly be appreciated in Europe and the U.S. It was rarely used in Japan until the 1990s, and draws its current popularity from the fact that it is deeply connected…
Japanese, French, Welsh, Vietnamese, Navajo
"dance; May; cherry blossom; coyote"
Cross-cultural winner.
Japanese or English
"loved one; lily"
As a Japanese name, Suki has the sweet meaning "loved one". It's also an English diminutive of Susanna, making it a creative and modern way to honor a Susan in your life.
Persian or Japanese
"honorable or sword"
Katana is a male name in Old Persian and a well-used word in Japanese, but as a girls' name is these days found more often as Kitana, the name of a princess in the video game Mortal Kombat II.
Japanese, form of Buddhism
Parents searching for a simple, peaceful name may be attracted to this one.
Japanese, Norse
"doctrine or seaweed; north or small person"
Attractive, simple Japanese choice that, while not strictly unisex, could work even better for a girl, especially now that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West use it as the nickname for their daughter…
Japanese, Korean
"dignified, severe; jade, clear"
A very popular name for girls in Japan, though it is a unisex choice. It can mean "severe, cold", but also "dignified", "ethics" and "phosphorus", depending on the kanji used. It is notably used for…
"loving reason; blessing + reason; hometown blessing; picture + pear"
Short and sweet Eri is a common female name in Japan that could cross cultures quite easily.
Variation of Kiyomi, Japanese
"pure and beautiful"
Debuting in the US stats back in 2020, Keyomi likely emerged as an alternative spelling to Japanese Kiyomi — a fast rising choice in 2025. As such, Keyomi too has seen increased attention, given to…
"severe, dignified; jade"
Sharp and to the point, Rin is a unisex Japanese name, meaning "severe, cold", "dignified", or "ethics" depending on the kanji used. It may also be considered a variation of the Chinese Lin, lending…
Greek, Japanese, Albanian
"spring, hero; favored village; peace; our wind"
While Erina may look like popular Irish name Erin with an -a on the end (and some may well use it as such), it is in fact a multicultural choice. From its Greek origins, it likely derives from…
Variation of Sayomi, Japanese
"small + world, + beautiful"
A variation on the Japanese Sayomi, which can mean "small, beautiful world", "young, midnight, beauty", and "sand, leaf, and fruit", depending on which kanji are used. First entering the US stats in…
Japanese, Sanskrit, or variation of Amy
"second beauty; second ocean; second truth; nectar; beloved"
A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."
