Japanese Girl Names: 600+ Names with Meanings

From anime to Zen, architectural influence to minimalism, many elements of Japanese culture have taken Western sub-cultures by storm!

In Japan, it’s traditional for adults to be referred to by their family name – but in childhood, you’re called upon by your first name.

What a perfect opportunity to showcase the most beautiful Japanese girl names you can find for your little lady, influenced by Japanese culture.

So, to help you as you take your time with the lists of names, we’ve given only the most appropriate meanings for each baby girl’s name.

Kawaii or Cute Japanese Girl Names

Anime is chock-full of adorable girls with big eyes and cute haircuts, with super-cute names! So it is only natural that cute Japanese girl names are rising in popularity.

We’ve put ourselves to the task of making the best list of cute names, both female and unisex! We’d love to hear what you think in the comments at the end.

When reading through these names, say them out loud, and for short names like ‘Mika’ you can say the nicknames you might make from it, like ‘Mi-Mi’ or ‘Mika-Mika’ – obviously said in the cutest baby voice you’ve got!

Unique Japanese Girl Names

Japan is well known for its distinct language and fascinating culture. So, along with this distinction comes a host of names that are one-of-a-kind.

Inspired by Japan and all things Japanese, we’ve scoured history both old and modern – and found 50 eccentric Japanese names and their meanings, perfect for your unique baby girl!

Common and Popular Japanese Girl Names

The most common Japanese girls names in 2020 were as follows:

Lucky/Fortunate Names for Japanese Girls

We all wish our children well, and do everything we can to give them the best chances in life.

So, why not start their journey with some extra luck? Give your daughter a lucky name!

In Japan, luck and superstition are big things, like keeping snakeskin in your wallet to bring you a big fortune, or cleaning your bathroom so that you will have a beautiful baby!

Red and white are also considered important colors for their inclusion in weddings, birthdays, and other celebratory ceremonies, embodying happiness and joy.

So, it is only fitting to choose a name that comes from the words for luck, fortune, destiny, or the fortuitous colors red and white – to bring good luck to your fortunate one.

Many More Japanese Girl Names

If you haven’t found the perfect girl’s name, don’t worry!
There are many more thousands of names for Japanese girls. However, instead of throwing them all at you, we’ve selected the best 420 names, to make your job easier.

Good luck, and we hope you find the name that you are looking for!

• Ai – love
• Aia – ruler
• Aiko – beloved one, little love
• Aina – view
• Ainu – goddess of fertility
• Airi – affection; white jasmine
• Akasuki – bright helper
• Akina – spring flower
• Amaya – night rain
• Ami – friend
• Amida – name of Buddha
• Aneko – older sister
• Anka – color of dawn
• Anzu – apricot
• Asa – born in morning
• Asami – morning beauty
• Asuga – tomorrow
• Asuka – tomorrow fragrance
• Atsuko – kind child
• Au – meeting
• Ayaka – color
• Ayako – scholarly child
• Ayame – Iris
• Ayano – colorful woven silk
• Ayumi – stroll
• Azami – thistle flower
• Azumi – safe residence
• Bashira – joyful
• Bunko – literary child
• Chiaki – thousand autumns
• Chiasa – one thousand mornings
• Chie/Hekima – wisdom
• Chieko – thousand blessings child
• Chihiro – seeker
• Chikako – child of wisdom
• Chinami – one thousand waves
• Chinatsu – thousand summers
• Chitose – thousand years
• Chiyo – one thousand generations
• Chiyoko – thousand generations
• Chizue – durability
• Cho – butterfly
• Chuya – pure like clear water
• Dai – great
• Den – bequest from ancestors
• Eiko – long-lived child
• Emica – beautiful
• Emiko – smiling child
• Emiyo – blessed beautiful generation
• Ena – gift from God
• Eri – blessed prize
• Erity – one who is special
• Etsudo/Etsuko – joyful child
• Fuji – prosperous opinion
• Fumiko – beautiful
• Gen – spring
• Gin – silver
• Haia – nimble
• Hanae – blossom
• Hanako/Hanan/Haneen – flower child
• Hanami – flowery
• Haruhi – spring day
• Haruka – far off
• Haruki – springtime tree
• Haruko – spring child
• Harumi – spring beauty
• Hatsuko – firstborn child
• Haya – quick, light
• Hayami – rare and unusual beauty
• Hide – excellent
• Hideko – splendid child
• Hikari – light
• Hinata – sunny place
• Hiriko/Hiroshi – generous
• Hiro – broad; widespread
• Hiroko – rich child
• Hisa – long-lasting
• Hisano – long plain
• Hitomi – pupil of the eye
• Homura – fire or flame
• Hoshiko – star child
• Hotaru – firefly; lightning bug
• Humiya – healthy
• Ima – now
• Ine – rice
• Ito – thread
• Iwa – rock
• Izanami – female who invites
• Izumi – spring fountain
• Kagami/Kioka/Kyoko – mirror
• Kaida/Kayda – little dragon
• Kairy – sea
• Kaiya/Kaiyo – forgiveness
• Kame – long-lived; tortoise
• Kameko – tortoise-child; symbol for long-life
• Kamiko – superior child
• Kano – skill
• Kanon – blossom
• Kata – worthy
• Katana – sword
• Katsu/Shynah – victorious
• Kawa – river
• Kayo – the beautiful generation
• Kazane – the sound of the wind
• Kazashi – hair ornament
• Kazue – branch
• Kazuko – harmonious child
• Keina – prosperity
• Keomi – pure
• Kibo/Kiko – hope
• Kichi – fortunate
• Kiku/Kikuko – chrysanthemum
• Kimiko – dear child
• Kioko – shares happiness
• Kirika – natural beauty
• Kishi – happy and long life
• Kita – north
• Kitiara – blade from the north
• Kiwa – born on the borderline
• Kiyoko – pure child
• Kiyomi/Misumi – pure beauty
• Kohana – little flower
• Kojika – fawn
• Koko – stork
• Kokoro – soul
• Komako – filly; term of endearment
• Koto – beautiful harp
• Kotone – harp sound
• Kozakura – cherry tree
• Kukiko – snow
• Kumi – long period of time
• Kuni – country born
• Kura – treasure house
• Kuri – chestnut
• Kurva – mulberry tree
• Leiko – arrogant
• Machi – ten thousand
• Maeko – child of truth
• Maho – honest person
• Mai – dance
• Maiko – child of Mai
• Maiya – rice valley
• Makaira – brings happiness
• Makiko – child of Maki
• Mako – truth; grateful
• Mami/Mao/Mayu – genuine
• Mamiko – child of Mami
• Manami – affectionate beauty
• Mari – rebellion
• Maria – sea of bitterness
• Mariko – child of Mari
• Marri – elegant dance party
• Maru – round
• Masako – child of Masa
• Masuyo – profit
• Matsuko – pine tree
• Mayako/Mayoko/Mayuko – child of Maya/Mayo/Mayu
• Mayumi – true bow (archery)
• Mi – beauty
• Michiko – child of Michi
• Midori – green
• Mie – three-way division
• Mieko – beautiful blessing child
• Miho – truth; beauty
• Mihoko – child of Mihoko
• Mikan – tangerine
• Miki – beautiful tree
• Mikia/Mikki – flower stem
• Mikka – three days
• Minako – child of Mina
• Minami – one who is from South
• Minato – harbor
• Mine – resolute protector
• Mirai – future
• Misaki – beauty bloom
• Misako/Miyako – beautiful child
• Mitsuko – child of Mitsu
• Miu – beautiful feather
• Miya/Miyah – temple
• Miyu – beautiful truth
• Mizuki – beautiful moon
• Moe – budding
• Momiji – red leaves
• Momo – hundred
• Momoka – hundreds of flowers
• Momoko – child of Momo
• Mon – gateway
• Morie – bay or beach
• Morika – forest fragrance
• Moriko – forest
• Morina – forest town
• Moto – source
• Muika – six days
• Mutsuko – child of Mutsu
• Nagi – calm
• Nagisa – shore
• Nahoko – child of Naho
• Nakano – famed female warrior
• Nami – wave
• Namie – blessing
• Namiko – child of Nami
• Nanako – child of Nana
• Nani – beautiful
• Naoki – honest tree
• Naoko – child of Nao
• Nara – flower from heaven
• Nari/Rai – thunder
• Nariko – gentle child
• Natsuki – summer hope
• Natsuko – child of Natsu
• Natsumi – summer beauty
• Nayoko – child of Nayo
• Ne – sound
• Nishi – west
• Nobuko – faithful child
• Noriko – doctrine child, child of Nori
• Norita – tradition
• Nozomi – hope
• Nyoko – gem; treasure
• Oki – master
• Okimi – bright shining light
• Orino – field
• Raku – pleasure
• Ran – water lily
• Reina – wise
• Rie – valued blessing
• Rieko – child of Rie
• Rika – village
• Rikako – child of Rika
• Rinako – child of Rina
• Rio – cherry blossom
• Risa – growing flowers at home
• Risako – child of Risa
• Ritsuko – child of Ritsu
• Roku – emolument
• Rui – affectionate
• Rumiko – child of Rumi
• Ruqa – beautiful
• Ryoko – child of Ryo
• Ryu – lofty
• Sachi – blessed
• Sachio – happy child
• Sada – pure woman
• Sadako – pure child
• Sadashi – ambitious
• Saeko – child of Sae
• Sai – intelligent
• Saiua – ripe fruit
• Sajonara – farewell
• Sakae/Sakai – prosperous
• Saki – hope
• Sakiko – child of Saki
• Sakuko – child of Saku
• Sakurako – child of Sakura
• Sanako – child of Sana
• Sango – coral
• Saori – color of sand
• Saory – nicely woven cloth
• Satchiko – lucky baby
• Sato – sugar
• Satoko – child of Sato
• Satomi – beautiful
• Satsuki – fifth month: May
• Sawako – cute baby
• Sayaka – clear one
• Sayoko – child of Sayo
• Sayua – swift like an arrow
• Seijun – pure
• Seika – pure summer
• Seiren – refined star
• Seki – wonderful
• Sen – fairy of wood
• Setsuko – temperate child
• Shigeko – luxuriant child
• Shiho – maintain original intention
• Shika – deer
• Shikha – gentle deer
• Shiko – woman of stone
• Shina – virtue, good
• Shiniqua – victorious woman
• Shinju – pearl
• Shino – bamboo stalk
• Shiori – bookmark; guide
• Shizu – silent
• Shizuka – quiet
• Shoko – auspicious child
• Someina – intelligence
• Sorano – of the sky
• Sugi – cedar tree
• Sumi – clear, refined
• Sumiko – beautiful child of goodness
• Sumire – lovely violet
• Sumiye – bright mind; smart girl
• Sunako – dark side
• Sute – forsaken; foundling
• Suzu – bell
• Tadako – child of Tada
• Tadame – seeds of beauty
• Taka – tall, honorable
• Takako – child of Taka
• Takara – treasure, precious object
• Take – bamboo; symbol of fidelity
• Tamaki – bracelet
• Tamako – precious stone
• Tame – unselfish
• Tami – people
• Tamiko – child of Tami
• Tamura – rice village
• Tanaka – dweller
• Taney – valley
• Tani – stand of glory
• Tatsu – dragon
• Tatsuo – female dragon
• Taura – many lakes
• Teruko – shining child
• Toki – opportunity
• Tokiko – child of Toki
• Tokiwa – constant
• Tomiko – child of Tomi
• Tomo – intelligent
• Tomoe – lucky friend
• Tomoko – knowing child
• Tomomi – good luck
• Tomoni – unity; togetherness
• Tonica – for the people
• Tora – tiger
• Tori – bird
• Toru – huge sea
• Toshi – mirror image
• Toshiko – alert and valued child
• Tsubaki – camellia flower
• Tsukiko – moon child
• Tsuna – bond
• Tsunade – young thunder
• Tsuru – long life
• Ume – plum blossom
• Umi/Yumi – beauty
• Urano – coast
• Uta – song
• Wakana – sweet music
• Wattan – homeland
• Yasuko – peaceful child
• Yayoi – third month: March
• Yo/Yoko – positive
• Yori – reliable
• Yoru – dark
• Yoshiko – child of Yoshi
• Yoshima – lucky
• Yoshimasa – good luck; correctness
• Yoshino – fertile field
• Youko – sunshine
• Yubi – graceful
• Yui/Yuna – gentle
• Yukako – child of Yuka
• Yuko – helpful child
• Yumako – child of Yuma
• Yume – dream
• Yumiko – child of Yumi
• Yuriko – child of Yuri
• Yutsuko – child of Yutso

Many More Unisex Japanese Names

• Aki – crystal clear
• Akiara – bright person
• Akito – bright person; who is like autumn season
• Danuja – knight; a ruler
• Doi – mountain; earthen well
• Fujita – field
• Hachi – eight; bee; flowerpot
• Harue – spring bough; sunshine
• Hikaru – shining brilliance; flashing brilliance
• Hitomu – wisdom; intellect; beautiful
• Hoshi – star
• Ichigo – strawberry
• Japana – energetic; drive-oriented; ambitious
• Jun – talented
• Kaede – maple
• Kana – powerful
• Kaoru/Karou – fragant
• Katsumi – overcome
• Kazumi – beautiful harmony
• Kazuto – peace; harmony; first
• Kei – square jewel; blessing; wise
• Kin – golden
• Kohaku – amber
• Kosuke – rising sun
• Kozue – tree branches
• Kuma – bear
• Kyo/Kyou – peach/apricot
• Makoto – sincere person
• Masa – straightforward
• Masumi/Narumi – beauty
• Michi – righteous way
• Minori – beautiful harbor
• Mitsu – honey
• Mitsuru – satisfy
• Miyo – beautiful and charming child
• Natsu – born in summer
• Noa – undertaking; indication
• Ohta – eyes of the Almighty God; one who is free from dirt and impurities
• Reiki – practice of healing the spirit
• Reiko – beautiful child
• Ren – the love of the lotus
• Rin – cold, severe and dignified person
• Ryo – defy
• Saku – remembrance of the divine
• Sanyu/Shaiwase – happiness
• Seiko – truth
• Shiki – the four seasons of the year
• Shinobu – person that is enduring
• Shun – fast and talented person
• Soma – moon
• Subaru – one who is uniting
• Suzuki – bell of wood
• Tamashini – soul; one who is very soulful
• Taru/Toru – vast and huge sea of water
• Tokyo – Eastern capital
• Tomi – rich
• Usagi – dawn
• Yasu – calm
• Yuka – bright star
• Yuu – tenderness

The Takeaway

We sincerely hope you enjoyed this list of Japanese girl names, and maybe you even learned a little about Japan on the way.

As a country of diverse culture, in which its inhabitants live side-by-side with nature from Macaques to Serows, the Japanese people have our respect.

If you have any insights that you think are worth sharing, or would like to let us know which name you chose, we would be honored to hear from you in the comments below.