Sachiko was one of the first Japanese names familiar to Americans when it was used in the 1950s by actress Shirley Maclaine for her daughter, called the adorable short form Sachi. While Sachiko does not rank on the US Social Security baby names list, Sachi was given to 25 girls in the most recent year counted.

Sweet and springy Japanese name.

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 ki meaning "hope", "seasons" and "valuable".

Also spelled Kōta and Kota, Kouta is a Japanese name with a sound that travels well and a number of great meanings. Associated with happiness, good luck and peace, it is also given to a style of music in which the songs are usually less than three minutes long.

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

Simple, Zen-like name of a mythological forest elf.

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.

Despite being etymologically unrelated, Aimi has a similar meaning to the name Amy, "beloved."

The childhood name of the heroine of Memoirs of a Geisha is pretty and accessible. Chiyiko is a pet form.

Connotes a strong, solid character.

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.

A unisex Japanese name, with a variety of meanings depending on which kanji combinations are used. It is often said to mean "aster", giving it a botanical tie, and a link to remembrance based on the symbolism of the aster flower.

Now that Kenji is rising up the ranks, it's only a matter of time before parents discover Renji. Renji Abarai is a character in the anime series Bleach, in which the kanji used for his name mean "second love" or "second romance."

A unisex name in Japan, more common for girls.

A fresh and pretty Japanese name which would be an unusual route to the popular Emmy/Emi nickname. In Japanese, this name can be formed from a variety of different kanji combinations with different meanings, but "laughing child" and "beautiful child" are two appealing possibilities.

Japanese name common among older generations.

Also spelled as Ryō, this Japanese name holds international appeal, thanks to its cool -O ending, and concise, stylish feel. Used as a unisex name in Japan and said with equal emphasis on both syllables (REE-OH), in the US, it is used predominantly on boys, and likely said as REE-o or RY-o by English speakers.

Lovely Japanese name that would certainly be appreciated in Europe and the U.S. It was rarely used in Japan until the 1990s, and draws its current popularity from the fact that it is deeply connected to Japanese traditional culture without sounding frumpy and old-fashioned.

Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen.