Girl Names Lists · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Japanese
"bell or beautiful"
A sweet and simple Japanese name with several possible meanings, depending on the kanji characters used.
"arrow child"
A vibrant Japanese name with an adventurous meaning, Yumiko is a popular name in Japan. It has a range of meanings, including "arrow child", "permeance and beauty child", and "evening beauty child".…
Scandinavian and Finnish variation of Aino, Catalan variation of Anna, Japanese, Latvian, Kazakh, Yoruba
"always; grace; lover of green; sight; mirror; delivery had complications [umbilical cord twisted around neck]"
A bright-sounding name with multicultural appeal, used regularly as a first name in Japan, Scandinavia, Latvia, and Spain. The Yoruba name Aina, pronounced ah-ee-NAH, is traditionally used for baby…
"superior garment"
Very popular girls' name in Japan not quite as easy to transport westward as the also-popular Rin.
"handball; heaven ball"
Temari is the name of an ancient Japanese toy — embroidered balls that were used to play games and eventually became a symbol of loyal friendship. Temari is not a given name in Japan, but it was used…
"happy child"
Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.
"three bamboo hats"
Mikasa references Mount Mikasa, a mountain in Japan with three peaks, thought to look like bamboo hats. The Mikasa battleship was named after the mountain. Mikasa Ackerman, named for the battleship,…
Variation of Rae, English
"ewe"
Like many single-syllable R names right now, Raye is on the rise.
Popular culture
"air spirit; little sylph"
The name of a green-haired half-elf character in the manga and anime, Mushoku Tensei , Sylphiette is likely inspired by the mythological air spirits known as sylphs. Part Seraphina "Sephy" and part…
Japanese, Malay, Indonesian
"sea; mother"
Stylish and simple, Umi is an ocean inspired Japanese name that may appeal to those who enjoy Lumi, Rumi, and Una. It appears in the popular anime series, Love Live Umi might also be used as an…
"beautiful happiness; sea and sand"
Common choice for anime characters.
"deep red"
A popular choice right now in Japan, where it recently ranked in the Top 10.
Spanish word name or Greek
"history"
Historia originated as a Greek term and is the basis for the word "history" in many languages, including English and Spanish. It is used as a name for the character Historia Reiss in the anime series…
"hope child"
As a feminine name, Kiko is Japanese in origin. One possible meaning is "hope child," but different kanji combinations will yield alternate meanings.
"fragrant ocean child"
Popular choice for female anime characters.
Norwegian diminutive of Elisabet, English and Spanish diminutive of names ending in -lita, or Romanian variation of Leta, Latin
"pledged to God; little; glad, joyful"
Vivacious but lightweight.
"bluish"
A very popular girls' name in Japan with an unfortunate English pronunciation: picture a toddler with a hurt knee saying "owee."
"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…
"light"
Light, bright unisex name. Hikari is more popular for girls in Japan these days.
"beautiful flower"
Lovely Japanese choice that would translate well cross-culturally.
