325 Japanese Baby Girl Names With Meanings
The graceful harmony of tradition and modernity can be felt through these lovely names.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Japanese girl names are often inspired by nature and its elements, such as seasons, trees, and flowers. They reflect the culture’s strong connection with mother nature. Japanese names also reflect human virtues and values that reflect the country’s history and traditions. These names, as with names from many other cultures, have meanings that symbolize positive human traits and elements from nature. For feminine names, the suffixes -mi (beautiful), -ko (child), and -ka (fragrance) have also become quite popular as of late. For example, a name likeMichihas multiple meanings, including ‘intelligence.’ Adding a ‘ko’ will make itMichiko, which means ‘an intelligent child.’ Two-syllable names that were popular before the 1980s are in trend again. So are short names, such asMei,Rio, andRei, but they have no meaning. You could assign any meaning you like to these names by adding suffixes. These would then be considered modern names, free from any association with the past. Japanese names are mainly created using kanji characters. Kanji began as pictures but changed into characters over time (1). A kanji name can be pronounced or written in multiple ways (2). Parents can create innumerable combinations of kanji to come up with a unique name for their child. These characters also allow parents to create variations that help add depth and complexity to their child’s name. There is a current trend of blending old Japanese names with fashionable suffixes. However, traditional Japanese baby girl names likeSakura(cherry blossom), Yuki (snow), andHana(flower) continue to capture parents’ fascination. Such names not only stand for nature but also represent beauty. If you are looking for more such delightful Japanese girl names, we have you covered. Below is our unique collection of the most charming names, both popular from previous times and recent years, with their meanings.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
Akari |
Girl |
Light; Brightness | |
|
Aoi |
Unisex |
Hollyhock; Green; Blue | |
|
Emica |
Girl |
Charming; Blessed; Beautiful | |
|
Hana |
Girl |
Grace | |
|
Kana |
Girl |
Powerful | |
|
Kei |
Unisex |
Square jewel; Blessing; Wise; Respect; Excellence | |
|
Koharu |
Girl |
Late summer | |
|
Kokoro |
Girl |
Heart; Mind | |
|
Mio |
Girl |
A beautiful cherry blossom | |
|
Nozomi |
Girl |
Hopeful truth; Wishful beauty | |
|
Ren |
Unisex |
Lotus blossom | |
|
Sana |
Unisex |
Brilliance; Praise | |
|
Sara |
Girl |
Princess | |
|
Sora |
Girl |
Sky; Conch shell; Heaven; Gravel | |
|
Tsumugi |
Girl |
Pongee a soft cloth made from threads of silk, Spinning, Request, Beseech | |
|
Ahmya |
Girl |
Black rain; Higher ground | |
|
Ai |
Girl |
Love; Affection | |
|
Aia |
Girl |
One who is famous, Ruler of the house | |
|
Aika |
Girl |
Love song | |
|
Aiko |
Girl |
Little loved one | |
|
Aina |
Girl |
Beautiful eyed woman | |
|
Ainu |
Girl |
Goddess of fertility; Human-like | |
|
Akane |
Girl |
Red dye | |
|
Aki |
Girl |
Autumn; Clear | |
|
Akiara |
Unisex |
A bright person | |
|
Akiko |
Girl |
Clear; Crystal; Autumn season | |
|
Akira |
Girl |
Bright; Clear; Intelligent being | |
|
Akito |
Unisex |
Bright person; Autumn season | |
|
Amaya |
Girl |
Heavenly valley; Elevated place; Mother capital | |
|
Aneko |
Girl |
An older sister; Versatile and spontaneous | |
|
Anzu |
Girl |
Apricot | |
|
Aoki |
Unisex |
An evergreen blue tree | |
|
Arisu |
Girl |
Righteous; Noble natured | |
|
Asami |
Girl |
Beautiful | |
|
Asuga |
Girl |
Swift like the wind | |
|
Asuka |
Girl |
Tomorrow; Fragrance | |
|
Aya |
Girl |
Design; Colorful | |
|
Ayaka |
Girl |
Color; Flower | |
|
Ayame |
Girl |
Iris; A flowering plant | |
|
Ayane |
Girl |
A colorful sound | |
|
Ayeka |
Girl |
Quick and analytical mind | |
|
Ayumi |
Girl |
Walk; Step | |
|
Ayumu |
Girl |
One who has a dream and a vision | |
|
Bashira |
Girl |
Joyful; Predictor of Good News | |
|
Chiaki |
Girl |
Sparkling light | |
|
Chiharu |
Unisex |
Springs and clear skies | |
|
Chihiro |
Girl |
Thousand armspans | |
|
Chika |
Girl |
Wisdom; Beautiful; Flower; God is greater | |
|
Chizue |
Girl |
Long life; Endurance; Durability | |
|
Cho |
Girl |
Butterfly | |
|
Chouko |
Girl |
Butterfly; an insect that feeds on nectar of flowers | |
|
Chuya |
Girl |
Pure and clear like water | |
|
Danuja |
Unisex |
Knight; a ruler | |
|
Doi |
Unisex |
Mountain; Earth | |
|
Eiji |
Girl |
Loved and independent being | |
|
Emi |
Girl |
Beautiful picture | |
|
Emiko |
Girl |
Beautiful child | |
|
Ena |
Girl |
Grain; Peace | |
|
Etsudo |
Girl |
Joy; Child | |
|
Fuji |
Girl |
Prosperous objective or flourishing opinion | |
|
Fumiko |
Girl |
Academic; Intellectual | |
|
Gen |
Girl |
The lady of the congregation | |
|
Gina |
Girl |
Queen; Maiden | |
|
Hachi |
Unisex |
Eight; A bee or flowerpot | |
|
Haia |
Girl |
Nimble; Quick | |
|
Hanae |
Girl |
Blossom; Flower; Blessing; Flavor | |
|
Hanako |
Girl |
Child of the flower; Flower girl | |
|
Hanami |
Girl |
Flower viewing; Flowery; Beauty | |
|
Harue |
Unisex |
Spring Bough; Sunshine | |
|
Haruhi |
Girl |
Spring Day; Blooming and flowering | |
|
Harumi |
Girl |
Spring; Beauty; Clear weather | |
|
Hatsuko |
Girl |
Firstborn child | |
|
Hatsumomo |
Girl |
Firstborn peach | |
|
Haya |
Girl |
Hurry; Come quickly | |
|
Hide |
Girl |
Excellent | |
|
Hikari |
Girl |
Light | |
|
Hikaru |
Unisex |
Radiance; Light | |
|
Hina |
Girl |
Greens; Light; Sun | |
|
Hiro |
Girl |
Wide; Broad; Spacious | |
|
Hiroko |
Girl |
Rich child; Magnanimous; Generous child | |
|
Hisa |
Girl |
Long lasting; Everlasting; From a long story | |
|
Hisano |
Girl |
Long lasting; Everlasting; From a long story; Open plain; A variant of Hisa | |
|
Hitomu |
Unisex |
Wisdom; Intellect; Beautiful | |
|
Hoshiko |
Girl |
Star child | |
|
Hotaru |
Girl |
Firefly | |
|
Iwa |
Girl |
Yew; Eve | |
|
Japana |
Unisex |
One who is energetic; Drive oriented; Ambition | |
|
Jona |
Unisex |
Dove | |
|
Julieanne |
Girl |
People with this name are loyal, honest, and kind. They are noble and have an urge to live a long life in peace. | |
|
Junko |
Girl |
Sincere Child; Obedient; Genuine; Pure | |
|
Kaede |
Unisex |
Maple; Maple leaf | |
|
Kagami |
Girl |
Mirror; Beauty | |
|
Kagome |
Girl |
Lost | |
|
Kaida |
Girl |
Little Dragon | |
|
Kairi |
Unisex |
Sea; Ocean village | |
|
Kairy |
Girl |
Sea | |
|
Kaiya |
Girl |
Forgiveness; Sea also; Yew tree; Pure; Creativity | |
|
Kaori |
Girl |
Fragrant weaving | |
|
Kaoru |
Unisex |
Fragant | |
|
Karou |
Unisex |
Fragrant | |
Japanese baby girl names blend natural elements with valued human qualities. They are rooted in Japanese culture and tradition and exude grace and elegance. People opt for these baby girl names not only because they depict the rich cultural tapestry of Japan but also because they capture the true essence of Japanese history and heritage. You may select any combination of kanji characters to create a conventional or modern name for your daughter. These meaningful Japanese baby girl names are sure to inspire you no matter your choice.
Infographic: Beautiful Japanese Names For Your Adorable Girl
Japanese baby girl names are often connected to nature. Trees and flowers mostly inspire these names. These names may also represent qualities such as beauty, elegance, and grace. If you are looking for beautiful Japanese baby names for your daughter, you may want to look at the infographic below.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Yuna a Japanese name?
Yes. Yuna is a Japanese name with several meanings depending on the choice of kanji characters. The most common meanings of Yuna are dream, gentle, peace, and vision.
2. What are some rare Japanese girl names?
Some rare Japanese names for girls include Emiko, Tadashi, Kazuko, Chiyo, and Fumiko.
3. What Japanese girl name means jewel?
There are several Japanese girl names that are related to jewel. Some of these names are Aoku, Akuru, and Chizuko.
4. What Japanese name means butterfly?
Japanese names that mean butterfly are Cho and Choko.
5. Are there any Japanese girl names that have a meaning related to strength or power?
Yes. Many baby girl names in the Japanese language mean strength and power. Some examples of such names are Kaya, Rikina, Rikiyo, and Takumi.
6. Are there any traditional naming customs for Japanese baby girls?
According to Japanese naming traditions, parents must name their girl child with ko (子, “child”) at the end of the given name. However, this practice is not so common nowadays.
References:
- Explore Japan Language.
https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/language/index.html - Dictionary of Japanese Names.
https://cjki.org/samples/jname.htm
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
