Anime Girl Names

Ciel

French

"sky"

This simple yet evocative French word name was chosen for her daughter by model Niki Taylor. While Ciel may be pronounced in French with two syllables, many will pronounce it as "seal" and there may…

Cornelia

Feminine variation of Cornelius, Latin

"horn"

In ancient Rome, Cornelia was considered the paragon of womanly virtue, making it a handsome name with an excellent pedigree. It's rare today, so if you want a name no one else is using, somewhat…

Dia

Mbama, Sanskrit, Latin, and Spanish

"love; lamp; heavenly; day"

A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins. Widely used in Africa, it means "love" in Lembaama. It's a variant spelling of Diya, an Arabic, Hindi and…

Eda

English, Turkish

"wealthy, well-mannered"

An medieval English diminutive of Edith, which could make an unusual addition to simple vintage revivals like Eva, Ada and Ida. In Turkish, it means "well mannered".

Eirin

Eirin is a feminine name with Norse and Celtic connections. In Norse mythology, Eir was the goddess of healing and medicine, and Eirin may be related to this divine figure. In Irish Gaelic, 'Éirinn'…

Eli

Hebrew

"ascended, uplifted, high"

Eli is more often considered a Biblical classic for boys, with the name ranking in the Top 100 alongside Biblical choices for boys, like Elias, Elijah and Levi. Despite this, nearly 50 girls in the…

Erika

English and Scandinavian variation of Erica, Norse feminization of Eric or Italian word name

"eternal ruler; heather"

This is a more spunky and Nordic looking variant of Erica, but the k also makes the connection to the beautiful flower less apparent.

Erina

Greek, Japanese, Albanian

"spring, hero; favored village; peace; our wind"

While Erina may look like popular Irish name Erin with an -a on the end (and some may well use it as such), it is in fact a multicultural choice. From its Greek origins, it likely derives from…

Euphemia

Greek

"fair speech"

Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.

Eureka

Greek

"I have found [it]"

For most, Eureka will be tied up with the bathtub myth of Archimedes' discovery of volumetric displacement, making it linked to the idea of invention, discovery and innovation. Some Australians might…

Fear

English word name

"an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger"

One of the more unusual word names used by Plymouth pilgrims for their children. Fear Brewster is an example of the usage of this name. Definitely one of the historic pilgrim names best left in the…

Hanako

Japanese

"flower child"

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…

Haruhi

Japanese

"spring day; spring queen"

Perfect for a springtime daughter.

Harumi

Japanese

"beautiful spring; clear weather"

Sweet and springy Japanese name.

Hinata

Japanese

"sunflower; facing the sun"

Hinata is a unisex Japanese name and surname but is primarily seen as a given name among women. It has many possible meanings, most of which have something to do with the sun.

Ino

Greek; Japanese

"mythological name; wild boar"

Ino was one of the Queens of Thebes who, after her death, became an immortal. Ino raised her nephew, Dionysus (son of Semele and Zeus), provoking the wrath of Hera. In desperation Ino threw herself…

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.

Junko

Japanese

"pure or obedient child"

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.

Kallen

Kallen is a versatile name that can be used for both boys and girls, though it's listed here as feminine. It has several possible origins: it may be an Irish surname derived from 'Ó Cathaláin'…

Kanako

Japanese

Kanako was most common in Japan during the late '70s and early '80s, but it sounds fresh to American ears.