The appetite in the West for all things Japanese has exploded in recent years, bringing with it increased exposure for unique and beautiful Japanese baby girl names.
 
In Japan, like America, names can have multiple spellings. The same name written in different kanji characters can have a completely different meaning. For example, the Japanese name Kaori can mean "fragrance" or "weaving" depending on the kanji used. The <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/179/Japanese-Names">Japanese names</a> that chart in the US tend to be those with cultural crossover, like Amaya and Sara.
 
Along with Amaya and Sara, other Japanese girls’ names in the US Top 1000 include Hana, Kai, Kairi, Noa, Reina, and Tori. Baby girl names popular in Japan include Sakura — Japanese for cherry blossom — Riko, Aoi, and Yuna.
 
Japanese names for girls are bright, sweet and lively, often boasting beautiful meanings drawn from nature or spirituality. Pop culture has introduced us to Akira, Kairi and Sakura, and high-profile celebrity daughters now answer to Nori and Rumi.
 
Browse our full list below for more gorgeous girl baby names from Japan. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.

Japanese Names for Girls

Hiroko

Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name. 

Hoshi

Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg. 

Ishi

Japanese classic with optimistic meaning. 

Keiko

This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.

Similarity to the English name Jean could be a plus in a Japanese-American or Chinese-American family. 

Kiaria is pretty but sure to prove confusing given all the more familiar Kiara and Keira variations out there. 

Kiaria

This simple, bright Japanese name is used on both boys and girls and has numerous meanings. It can be interpreted as meaning "righteous" and "prince", or a combination of mi meaning "beautiful" and ki meaning "hope", "seasons" and "valuable".
 
Popular in the 17th century, the name might now be associated with the kimmidoll™, a Japanese doll inspired by traditional Kokeshi dolls.
 
Kimi can also be considered the Hawaiian form of Jamie (from Kimo) or a short form of Kimberley or Kimball.

Kimi

Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen. 

Japanese Girl Names - Japanese baby girl in swimsuit