Japanese Girl Names

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

Despite being etymologically unrelated, Aimi has a similar meaning to the name Amy, "beloved."

A bright-sounding name with multicultural appeal, used regularly as a first name in Japan, Scandinavia, Latvia, and Spain.

More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most popular baby names in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.

Aisa is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'loved one' or 'one who is cherished,' while in Swahili traditions, it relates to 'life' or 'living.' The name also appears as a variant of Aisha, an Arabic name meaning 'alive' or 'prosperous.' This multicultural background gives Aisa global appeal and versatility. Though not widely common in Western countries, the name has seen occasional use throughout different periods and regions. Its brevity makes it distinctive yet easy to pronounce across languages. Aisa carries positive connotations in its various cultural contexts, typically relating to concepts of life, love, and vitality. The name's simple elegance and cross-cultural significance make it appealing to parents seeking something meaningful yet uncommon.

A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."

A soft, sweet, distinctive name with a noble meaning.

A representative Japanese name with a meaning symbolizing ripeness.

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

An Indian name used to describe some of the tenets of Buddhism, such as the Four Noble Truths (catvary arya satyani) or The Noble Eightfold Path (arya marga). It can also simply be a spelling variation of Aria, making it a cultural crossover name with both style and substance.

Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.

With diverse roots and meanings, Ayana is a cross-cultural possibility with Arabic, African, and Kazakh origin. Both Ayana and Ayanna enjoyed a spike of popularity in the 1990s, but have faded since then, though 246 girls were given the name in the US in a recent year, placing it just outside the Top 1000. It appeared in the Kazakhstani top 15 multiple times in the 2010s and recently ranked in the UK Top 500.

Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect international choice, at once unusual and easy to comprehend.