Japanese Girl Names by ViVi

Rumi is a Japanese girl name, with a sweet yet substantial sound. Reminiscent of other popular choices in the West — think Ruby, Remy, and Romy — it is currently achieving more notice thanks to Beyonce and Jay-Z, who chose it for one of their daughters.

As a Japanese name, Suki has the sweet meaning "loved one". It's also an English diminutive of Susanna, making it a creative and modern way to honor a Susan in your life.

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.

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.

Cross-cultural winner.

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.

Taya has recently jumped into the mainstream name pool, perhaps because of kinship with Maya and Kaya. After five years outside the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2015.

Very popular girls' name in Japan not quite as easy to transport westward as the also-popular Rin.

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

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

Naming babies after precious gems as a protection against evil spirits is an ancient Japanese tradition.

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

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

An Asian name not widely known in the West.

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

Dainty and doll-like.

One of the better-known Japanese names.

Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.

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

Connotes a strong, solid character.