Japanese Girl Names by ViVi

Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.

If you're planning to have a younger one.

A very popular girls' name in Japan with an unfortunate English pronunciation: picture a toddler with a hurt knee saying "owee."

A popular Japanese name used for the young heroine of the animated film, "Spirited Away."

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

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

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 sometimes answers if you call her name.

A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.

Commonly used in Japanese families.

Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name.

Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.

Connotes a strong, solid character.

Similarity to the English name Jean could be a plus in a Japanese-American or Chinese-American family.

Kairi is the name of the main female character in the popular role-playing video game series, Kingdom Hearts. Voiced by Hayden Panettiere in the main series, Kairi is one of the seven Princesses of the Heart. Kairi entered the US Top 1000 in 2010 and was given to over 400 baby girls in one recent year.

Kaori is a Japanese girls' name once largely unknown but brought into the spotlight by celebrity couple Eniko and Kevin Hart, who gave it to their daughter in 2020. Kaori is easily translated in the Western World; it's got a rhythmic sound and a familiar feel, maybe since it's similar to Maori, the name of the people and language of New Zealand. In English, it's likely said as KOW-ree, though in Japanese it's said more like KA-O-REE, with the first two syllables almost blending together.

Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.

Kiaria is pretty but sure to prove confusing given all the more familiar Kiara and Keira variations out there.

A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.

One of the most familiar and attractive Japanese names, though rarely heard outside that culture.

In Japanese this name may be written with the characters for "pure; purify; cleanse" (Kiyo/Keo) and "beauty; beautiful" (mi). Like most Japanese names, this is a name that translates well into Anglophone countries, where sweet short names are becoming increasingly popular.