By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Modern invention or variation of Sayomi, American, Japanese
"night beauty"
A contemporary choice fitting in to the "-omi" trend, Zyomi may be viewed as a spin on the Japanese Sayomi (meaning "night beauty" or "small world beauty") or as a modern invention, blending together…
Japanese, Yoruba
"land of the dead; my joy"
The Japanese word for the land of the dead, it may also be interpreted as meaning "world of darkness" or "yellow springs". According to Japanese mythology, Yomi isn't like heaven (a place of reward…
Japanese; Lithuanian and Latvian
"my greens; song"
A name with an international and adaptable sound, similar to Diana and Dana, this name was used very commonly in Latvia in the 20th century. Pronounced as DYE-nuh, it has the cheerful meaning of…
Japanese
"flower child"
Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who…
"prayer"
A sweet and dainty name with a spiritual meaning, "inori" is the Japanese word for "prayer" and is occasionally used as a female name. It appears in the 2025 anime series Medalist , about a young…
"reliable"
An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names.
"bluish"
A very popular girls' name in Japan with an unfortunate English pronunciation: picture a toddler with a hurt knee saying "owee."
"flower stem"
Attractive but slight Asian alternative, with a 1970s nickname feel.
"good luck, auspicious, hope; water, mist"
A zippy and upbeat Japanese name with both a cheerful and hopeful meaning, and one relating to nature, depending on which kanji elements are used. It appears on a character in the game AI: THE…
Norse
"thunder"
Tora is the female version of Tor or Thor, the name of the Norse god of thunder. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn chose it for her daughter.
Japanese, Native American
"stork; night"
A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
"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.
American, Japanese
"pleasant rejoicing; pure and beautiful"
Likely a respelling of Kiyomi, a Japanese name on the rise in the US, Caiomi may help to get to the kie-O-mee pronunciation, thanks to the familiarity of Kaia, Gaia, Micaiah, and Maia. If viewed as…
"esteemed beauty; vast beauty; command truth, esteemed success"
A melodic Japanese name, associated with great beauty and esteemed success, depending on which kanji elements are used, Hiromi is a familiar unisex choice in its native Japan. The name peaked in the…
"present, now"
Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.
"fire, flame"
A Japanese name with plenty of spark, Kasai is a name that's going places — or rather, it is for boys. One of the fastest rising names of 2025, it was given to more than 400 boys in the US, compared…
"blessing"
An Asian name not widely known in the West.
"beautiful love"
Despite being etymologically unrelated, Aimi has a similar meaning to the name Amy, "beloved."
English word name or Japanese
"air; love"
Aire is a poetic spelling of the word "air", once widely used in Middle English. Today, it's a brand new baby name, introduced to wider audiences when Kylie Jenner revealed it as the new name of her…
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,'…
