Girl Names Lists · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Japanese
"fireworks"
Hanabi is the Japanese word for fireworks and is rarely given as a name to babies. The most famous Hanabi is Koko the Gorilla — "birth" name Hanabi-ko, or "fireworks child." Koko, known for her use…
"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."
Irish
"descendant of Flannghal"
Long before the vogue of using Irish surnames for girls, writer Flannery O'Connor gave this one some visibility. It has a warm (flannelly) feel and the currently popular three-syllable ee-ending…
"to shine"
Pronunciation would not be obvious to Americans.
"maple tree"
No - not a creative spelling of Katy. This name, which can be used for boys or girls, means maple tree. Kaede is unusual in Japan although it has been gaining more popularity after it has been used…
"plum-blossom child, patient"
Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different.
"rabbit"
Seen as a name for this first time in the anime Sailor Moon .
"peaceful, quiet"
Calming Japanese choice.
"gentle friend; dream friend"
Cute and nicknamey girl name with a great meaning to boot.
Japanese, Spanish, Greek
"violet flower"
Used for a character in the popular manga and anime series, Spy × Family , Yor is a transliteration of the Japanese pronunciation of Yol, Yol being a nickname for the Spanish and Greek Yolanda. As…
Also appearing as Yor, Yoru is used for a character in the popular anime and manga series, Spy × Family . It is an Anglicization of the Japanese pronunciation of Yol, itself a nickname for Yolanda,…
Popular culture, Japanese, Greek
"blossom, flower"
An alternative transcription of the floral Greek name Anthe, this spelling is notably used in the popular anime series, Revolutionary Girl Utena . Also associated with a Greek nymph of fair weather,…
"pedestal"
Appearing in the anime series Revolutionary Girl Utena , Utena is possibly inspired by the Japanese word for "pedestal", though it is also viewed as a pop-culture creation. The character is known for…
Popular culture
"truth; see through; see true"
Used in the video game series, Ace Attorney , Trucy is the name given to a profession stage magician in the fictional universe. Inspired by the word "true" and by the phrase "see through", her name…
"color + child; peaceful night child; writings + child"
Ayako is a very common feminine name in Japan, where it is the name of Princess Ayako of Takamado (now Ayako Moriya), formerly of the Imperial House of Japan.
"little, small"
Chibi is Japanese slang for someone or something small (and typically cute). It is not used as a given name in the real world, however, a number of anime characters are named Chibi.
"little rabbit"
Chibiusa was created as a name for the Sailor Moon franchise. It's the nickname of Purinsesu Usagi Sumōru Redi Sereniti (Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity). Usagi, which is also her mother's name,…
"thousand generations"
The childhood name of the heroine of Memoirs of a Geisha is pretty and accessible. Chiyiko is a pet form.
"child of one thousand generations"
Considered an old-fashioned choice in Japan.
