Japanese Girl Names
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About this list
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 Japanese names 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 popular internationally 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, ordered according to their current popularity on Nameberry.
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The names
Amaya
Spanish version of Amaia or Japanese
"mother city; the end; night rain"
The Spanish form of Amaya is both a given name and a surname, originating from the Spanish mountain and village of Amaya. In this context it means "mother city" or "the capital." Amaya can also be…
Kyomi
Japanese "pure and beautiful"
"pure and beautiful"
More traditionally transliterated as Kiyomi, this Japanese name shares the appeal of names like Naomi, Kenzo, and Emi, but also of Kaia, Kyra, and Kyaire, giving it cross-cultural possibilities. It…
Hana
Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, Japanese
"grace, work, glow, flower"
Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means…
Akira
Japanese
"bright, intelligent"
A popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games and because of its international feel. It was a fast rising choice in 2024, when…
Dai
Japanese
"to shine"
Pronunciation would not be obvious to Americans.
Mika
Japanese, Slovene, Hebrew, English, Greek
"beautiful fragrance; who is like God?; follower of Demeter"
Mika is a sparky and stylish Japanese girls' name that translates easily to English. Also used as a Slovene and Hebrew diminutive for Mihaela and Michaela, as an alternative spelling to the Biblical…
Aneko
Japanese
"older sister"
If you're planning to have a younger one.
Hanako
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…
Azami
Japanese; Persian
"thistle flower; greatest"
Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect…
Haruko
Japanese
"born in spring"
A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.
Hiroko
Japanese
"generous, fair"
Commonly used in Japanese families.
Hoshi
Japanese
"star"
Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name.
Ima
Japanese
"present, now"
Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.
Ishi
Japanese
"stone"
Connotes a strong, solid character.
Keiko
Japanese
"happy child"
Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.
Kai
Hawaiian
"sea"
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…
Jin
Japanese or Chinese
"tenderness, gentleness; gold"
Similarity to the English name Jean could be a plus in a Japanese-American or Chinese-American family.
Kiaria
Japanese
"fortunate"
Kiaria is pretty but sure to prove confusing given all the more familiar Kiara and Keira variations out there.
Kimi
Japanese
"righteous; beautiful hope; valuable and beautiful"
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…
Gen
Japanese
"spring"
Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen.