Female Japanese Names

There seems to be a lack of Japanese names on this site, and given how lovely they are, I thought I'd make a list. Most Japanese names don't have a set meaning, as it's determined by what kanji are used to form the name. However, the "ko" (子) suffix always means "child".
  1. Ai
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "love; indigo"
  2. Aiko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "beloved child"
    • Description:

      Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.
  3. Aimi
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful love"
    • Description:

      Despite being etymologically unrelated, Aimi has a similar meaning to the name Amy, "beloved."
  4. Aina
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian and Finnish variation of Aino, Catalan variation of Anna, Japanese, Latvian, Kazakh, Yoruba
    • Meaning:

      "always; grace; lover of green; sight; mirror; delivery had complications [umbilical cord twisted around neck]"
    • Description:

      A bright-sounding name with multicultural appeal, used regularly as a first name in Japan, Scandinavia, Latvia, and Spain.
  5. Airi
    • Origin:

      Japanese, Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "lover of jasmine; lover of pears; messenger, herald"
    • Description:

      A multicultural choice with an airy feel, Airi is a Japanese name celebrating pears or jasmine and a Finnish name meaning "messenger", from the word airut. In Japanese, it is pronounced with three syllables, while in Finnish, it has two and begins with a strong 'IE' sound.
  6. Akane
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "deep red"
    • Description:

      A popular choice right now in Japan, where it recently ranked in the Top 10.
  7. Akari
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "light; vermilion"
    • Description:

      Akari is a gender-neutral Japanese name used fairly evenly between the sexes in the US.
  8. Aki
    • Origin:

      Japanese; Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "born in the autumn; ancestor"
    • Description:

      Aki is a simple international name from two wildly divergent cultures.
  9. Akiko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "bright child"
    • Description:

      This popular Japanese name has many various meanings (bright, clear, autumn), depending on the combination of kanji used to spell it. The final element is the character ko, meaning "child", which features in many Japanese feminine names. Akiko is one of the best unique names for autumn babies.
  10. Akira
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "bright, intelligent"
    • Description:

      A popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games.
  11. Amane
    • Description:

      Amane is a feminine name with Japanese origins, though it can occasionally be used for boys as well. In Japanese, it carries several beautiful meanings depending on the kanji characters used, including 'sound of heaven,' 'heavenly sound,' or 'sound of rain.' The name evokes a sense of natural harmony and celestial connection. Amane remains relatively uncommon outside of Japan but has gained modest international recognition for its melodic quality and exotic appeal. The name's gentle phonetics create a delicate impression while its meaning carries spiritual depth. With its blend of simplicity and profound symbolism, Amane appeals to parents seeking a name with cultural significance and poetic resonance.
  12. Amaya
    • Origin:

      Spanish version of Amaia or Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "mother city; the end; night rain"
    • Description:

      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 considered a derivation of Amaia, a Basque name meaning "the end." In Japan, Amaya is a surname.
  13. Ame
    • Description:

      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,' suggesting 'beloved' as its meaning. In Japanese, though spelled differently, 'ame' can mean 'rain,' creating a poetic cross-cultural connection. This short, elegant name remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it an exotic appeal. In French usage, it has connections to the term 'âme' meaning 'soul,' adding spiritual depth. Amé's brevity makes it distinctive yet simple, appealing to parents seeking minimalist names with international flair. Its pronunciation may vary slightly based on regional accents, but its musical quality remains consistent.
  14. Aneko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "older sister"
    • Description:

      If you're planning to have a younger one.
  15. Anzu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "apricot"
    • Description:

      A representative Japanese name with a meaning symbolizing ripeness.
  16. Arina
    • Origin:

      Variation of Irina, Russian from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      This form of Irina supersedes the original in its native country.
  17. Asahi
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "morning sun"
    • Description:

      Bright, just like its meaning.
  18. Atsuko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "warm child; sincere child; honest child"
  19. Aya
    • Origin:

      Japanese, Hebrew, Danish, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "colorful, design; honey buzzard, bird; rock, lull, happiness; sign, verse"
    • Description:

      Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.
  20. Ayame
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "iris"
    • Description:

      Sweet and gentle botanical choice.