Favorite Japanese Names - Contemporary

Sayuri

Japanese

"small lily"

Yuki

Japanese

"snow; happiness"

Succinct and memorable, Yuki is a Japanese name, which may relate to winter or joy, depending on the kanji used. It is a unisex choice, notably borne by singer Yuki Kuramochi (stylized as YUKI).

Izumi

Japanese

"spring fountain"

Seen as both a given name and a surname in Japan. There was a Princess Izumi in eighth-century Japan, forbidden from marriage as her older sisters had already been paired off with the Emperor's sons.

Miyu

Japanese

"beautfiul evening"

Short and sweet alternative to Mia, Mila, Maya, et al.

Chihiro

Japanese

"thousand questions"

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

Chiyo

Japanese

"thousand generations"

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

Hitomi

Japanese

"pupil of the eye; beautiful history; noble beauty"

Common name in Japan primarily associated with Hitomi (Furuya), a mononymous Japanese singer.

Kurumi

Japanese

"walnut"