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

Aiko

If you're planning to have a younger one. 

Aneko

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."

Chihiro

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

Chiyo

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. The so-called "Hanako of the Toilet" has been the subject of countless fictional adaptations since the rumor started to circulate in the 1950s. Hanako was once such a common name that it was used in the Japanese equivalent of "Jane Doe," but it's gotten much less popular as the legend of Hanako-san has spread.

Hanako

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

Haruko

Hiroko

Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name. 

Hoshi

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

Ishi

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.

Kairi

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. But the correct pronunciation is kow-ree.

Kaori

Japanese classic with optimistic meaning. 

Keiko

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

Kiaria

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.

Koko

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

Kyoko

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.

Kyomi

Machiko

An Asian name not widely known in the West.

Megumi

One of the most familiar Japanese names thanks to the first commoner to become empress of Japan and to New York Times book empress Michiko Kakutani. 

Michiko

In Japan, color names symbolize human qualities (in this case, fame); name of gifted violist Midori, but also a Japanese melon liqueur. 

Midori

Mieko

Attractive but slight Asian alternative, with a 1970s nickname feel. 

Miki

Naoko is a common Japanese name with an admirable meaning, which, depending on how it's written, can translate to obedient, straight, honest, or green child.  Naoko can also be spelled Nahoko.

Naoko

Closely tied to the widow of John Lennon. 

Not as familiar as some other Asian imports; has a strong unisex feel. 

Orino

Reiko

The Japanese Rikku is familiar in the west as the name of one of the lead characters of the "Final Fantasy" video game series.  Voted "hottest character," the fictional Rikku is a thief with a good sense of humor.

Rikku

Rumi is a Japanese girls' name that sounds like a couple of other choices more familiar in the West -- Rumer and Remi -- that is achieving notice because of its choice by two celebrities, including Beyonce and Jay-Z. 

Rumi is perhaps best-known as the name of a (male)13th century Muslim mystic and poet whose most famous poem, "The Diver's Clothes Lying Empty", has inspired many modern literary works, including Vendela Vida's novel with a nearly-identical title. There are also several notable Japanese women named Rumi.

Rumi

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

Ruri

A simple, importable Japanese name that is used for both males and females and carries a multitude of meanings depending on which character is used to denote it.  While most westerners pronounced it rye-oh, its real pronunciation is closer to ree-uh.  A similar male name, Ryu, means "dragon."


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.

Sachiko

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.

Sakura

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

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.

Suki

Simple and, yes, elegant -- until you think of the wrestlers. 

Sumi

Well-used in Japan, this name refers to the suzu, a tiny metal bell often placed in a silk charm bag and attached to a girl's undergarment so that a lovely tinkling sound is heard as she moves, and originally thought to frighten demons.

Suzu

A lovely Japanese alternative to Tamara. 

Takara

Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community. 

Tamako

Japanese name with a special crossover/creative touch via its association with the colorful paintings of acclaimed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo. 

Tamayo

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.
 Taya Smith is an Australian singer in the band Hillsong United.

Taya

Tazu

Tetsu is a female name with an unusually strong and powerful meaning. It sounds spunky and cute too. 

Tetsu

Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different. 

Umeko

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.
 
Yoko Ono writes her name with characters meaning "ocean" and "child".

Yoko

An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names. 

Yori

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

vivi52302's list "Japanese Girl Names by ViVi" of 51 great name ideas: Aiko - Yui!

Japanese Girl Names by ViVi

These are names of 100% Japanese origin, meaning they don't derive from names from other cultures. These are names specifically for girls. There are no male or unisex names on this list.