Japanese Girl Names
Across 4 pages
of 4
Machiko
Japanese
"fortunate child"
What parent wouldn't love this meaning?
Mai
Japanese, French, Welsh, Vietnamese, Navajo
"dance; May; cherry blossom; coyote"
Cross-cultural winner.
Miki
Japanese
"flower stem"
Attractive but slight Asian alternative, with a 1970s nickname feel.
Michiko
Japanese
"the righteous way"
One of the most familiar Japanese names thanks to the first commoner to become empress of Japan and to New York Times book empress Michiko Kakutani.
Midori
Japanese
"green; beautiful bird"
In Japan, color names are used to symbolize human qualities, and the green hues of Midori name are said to represent fame. While it is a unisex choice in its native Japan, Midori is predominantly…
Mieko
Japanese
"prosperous"
One of the better-known Japanese names.
Nomi
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…
Nara
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…
Nori
Japanese, English short form or Eleanor, Leonora, Nora, Honora, or North, form of Nor or Nuri, Arabic, Turkish
"ceremonial rites, doctrine, seaweed; unknown, honor, north; my light"
Nori is one of those names with several origins that would have no trouble assimilating into a variety of cultures. It might also be associated with the dried seaweed used to wrap sushi or with the…
Ohara
Japanese
"small field"
Could work for a blended Japanese-Irish family.
Ono
Japanese surname
Closely tied to the widow of John Lennon.
Orino
Japanese
"worker's field"
Not as familiar as some other Asian imports; has a strong unisex feel.
Koshoo
Koshoo is a rare feminine name with likely multicultural origins. While specific etymology is uncertain, it may have roots in Asian or African naming traditions. The distinctive sound combines the…
Rai
Japanese
"next child"
Distinctive and intriguing relative of Rae.
Reiko
Japanese
"pretty child"
Dainty and doll-like.
Ame
Amé is a delicate feminine name with French origins, featuring an accent that indicates the specific pronunciation (ah-MAY). Without the accent, Ame derives from Latin 'amare' meaning 'to love,'…
Ren
Japanese
"water lily, lotus"
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.
Rio
Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese
"river or place of the cherry blossoms"
Rio is one of Japan's most popular girls' names, constantly sitting in that country's Top 10. Of course, Rio may also stem from the Portuguese and Spanish word for river, and the Brazilian city Rio…
Ruri
Japanese
"lapis lazuli"
Naming babies after precious gems as a protection against evil spirits is an ancient Japanese tradition.
Sen
Japanese mythology name
Simple, Zen-like name of a mythological forest elf.