150 Japanese baby girl names: popular, unique and cute names for your baby

Japanese naming tradition

In Japan, names will usually have a surname first, followed by a given first name. Japanese names are traditionally written in kanji script, which is adapted from Chinese characters. If you choose one of the names in this list, your little girl can learn to write her name in kanji as well as using the versions we've included below, written in the modern Latin alphabet.

It's very uncommon for Japanese people to have middle names but this doesn't stop you from selecting more than one name for your baby if you prefer, or from using one of these Japanese names as a middle name for your child.

Here's our list of Japanese girl names to inspire you...

Most popular Japanese girl names | Cute Japanese girl names | Unique Japanese girl names | Japanese girl names meaning star | Japanese girl names meaning flower

Popular Japanese girl names

These are the most popular girl names recorded in Japan in 2023. According to the survey carried out by Meiji Yesuda Life Insurance, these are the names that topped the charts and are currently loved by new Japanese parents. Himari took the top spot while Tsumugi, Yua and Mio have recently been moving up in popularity.

1. Himari

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sun
• Trend: no change

2. Rin

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: dignified, majesty
• Trend: no change

3. Tsumugi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: woven silk fabric
• Trend: moving up

4. Yua

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: tie, bind, love
• Trend: moving up

5. Mio

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful cherry blossom
• Trend: moving up

6. Mei

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: gorgeous, plum
• Trend: moving up

7. Koharu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: small heart
• Trend: moving up

8. Hina

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: light, sun
• Trend: moving down

9. Ema

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: favour, benefit
• Trend: no change

10. Sui

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: water
• Trend: moving up

11. Yuzuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: small citrus fruit
• Trend: moving up

12. Ai

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: love, affection
• Trend: moving up

13. Iroha

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: feathers
• Trend: moving up

Cute Japanese girl names

We think these are some of the cutest Japanese names in terms of how they sound as well as what they mean. If you're searching for an adorable Japanese baby girl name then this list should make naming your baby girl easy.

14. Aika

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: love song

15. Aiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: little loved one

16. Aimi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: love beauty

17. Aiya

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful silk

18. Akemi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful, bright

19. Ami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: friend

20. Asana

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: calm morning

21. Ayumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: a sweet fish

22. Chinami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: one-thousand waves

23. Etsuko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: joyous child

24. Harue

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sunshine

25. Haruki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: springtime tree

23. Hayate

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: smooth, sound of the wind

24. Hitomi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful history

25. Iku

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: nourishing

26. Iori

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: hermitage, retreat

27. Kagami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: mirror

28. Kana

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: dexterity and skill

29. Kaori

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: fragrant beautiful girl

30. Kayo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: good, beautiful generation

31. Kirika

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: natural beauty

32. Ko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: baby

33. Koemi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: smiling child

34. Kumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: pretty braids

35. Kumiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: companion child

36. Maemi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: truthful smile

37. Makaira

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: one who brings happiness

38. Maki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: true

39. Manami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: affectionate beauty

40. Masami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: become beautiful

41. Michiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful wise child

42. Mika

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful fragrance

43. Mi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beauty

44. Miu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful feather

45. Miwa

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: harmony

46. Mizuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful moon

47. Nagi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: calm, lull

48. Omi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: pure beauty

49. Rai

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: trust

50. Rui

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: affectionate

51. Rumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beauty

52. Satomi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful

53. Sawako

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: cute baby

54. Sora

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sky

55. Suki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beloved, loved one

56. Yoshimi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful season

57. Yumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful friend

58. Yuna

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: superiority, gentleness

Unique Japanese girl names

If you don't have family connections to Japan then any Japanese name could be a unique choice for your baby. However, if you're Japanese or have links to The Land of the Rising Sun and want your child to have a name that's special and rare then you'll love this list that features names that are rare and uncommon in the country of Japan itself.

59. Akane

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: deep red

60. Amaku

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sky

61. Anzu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: apricot

62. Asami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: hemp, beautiful

63. Ayako

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: colour, design

64. Ayano

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: colour, design

65. Chiaki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: gathered wisdom

66. Chiharu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: wisdom, spring, sunny weather

67. Chinatsu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: a thousand summers

68. Chitose

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: one thousand years

69. Chiyo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: one thousand generations

70. Cho

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: butterfly

71. Fuyuko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: winter child

72. Harumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: beautiful spring, clear weather

73. Hayami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: hurricane

74. Hibiki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: echo

75. Hideki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: excellence, tree

76. Hiro

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: abundant

77. Hisa

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: everlasting

78. Izumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: spring, fountain

79. Japana

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: ambitious

80. Junko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: pure child

81. Kosuke

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: rising sun

82. Kozue

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: tree branches

83. Marri

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: an elegant dance party

84. Masuyo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: benefit to the world

85. Matoi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: wrap, wind around

86. Minato

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: harbour

87. Nao

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: honest, esteem

88. Naoki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: honesty, sincerity

89. Naoko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: obedient child

90. Natsu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: born in summer

91. Nishi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: west

92. Ohta

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: pure

93. Rinako

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: gallant apple tree child

94. Sachie

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: child of joy

95. Satori

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: awakening, enlightenment

96. Shinju

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: pearl

97. Shinobu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: endurance

98. Shizu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: quiet, intention

99. Shun

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: speed, fast

100. Tadam

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sincerity

101. Terumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: radiance, brilliance

102. Tsubame

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: swallow bird

103. Tsubasa

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: wings

104. Umeko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: apricot child

105. Wakana

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: harmony, music

106. Yaeko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: multi-layered child

107. Yakumo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: eight clouds

108. Yoru

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: dark

Japanese girl names meaning star

Stars are important within Japanese culture. There's an ancient myth around the Orion constellation, which is a symbol of knowledge and cultural values and historically the Japanese people believed Orion guided them on when to cultivate their crops. Today, origami paper stars are still given as gifts to wish friends and family good luck, love and support. Because of the special cultural link with the stars many names in Japan have gorgeous meanings such as galaxy and dazzling star. Here are some of our favourites.

109. Ginga

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: galaxy

110. Hikari

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: starlight

111. Hoshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: star

112. Hoshiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: star child

113. Hoshino

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: field of stars

114. Kira

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sparkling

115. Kirameki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sparkle, glitter

116. Koboshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: little or small star

117. Memehoshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: dazzling star

118. Midori

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: freshness

119. Myoujou

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: bright, star

120. Natsuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: summer star

121. Nozomi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: hope star

122. Seira

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: stars scattered in the sky

123. Seiun

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: nebula

124. Yoihoshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: evening star

Japanese girl names meaning flower

Flowers are another hugely important symbol or part of life for Japanese people. It's part of the Japanese tradition to assign meanings to flowers and the sakura flower is said to be where the souls of the ancestors reside. As well as being culturally important these names are also beautiful to say and are super pretty, just like your little girl.

125. Airi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: white jasmine

126. Aoi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: hollyhock flower, blue

127. Arisa

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: light cherry blossoms

128. Asuka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: fragrance of tomorrow’s flower

129. Ayame

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Japanese iris flower

130. Ayaka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: colourful flower petal

131. Chika

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: a thousand flowers

132. Fuuka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: flower of the wind

133. Hana

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: flower, blossom

134. Hanae

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: small flower

135. Hanako

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: flower child

136. Hanan

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: flower child

137. Haruka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: spring flower

138. Hinata

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: sunflower

139. Kanon

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: flower blossom

140. Maika

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: dance of the flower

141. Mikia

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: flower stem

142. Momoka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: a hundred flowers

143. Ran

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: orchid

144. Riko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: white jasmine, child

145. Sayuri

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: little lily

146. Sumire

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: lovely violet

147. Suzuran

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: lily of the valley

148. Tsubaki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: camellia flower

149. Yuriko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: lily child

150. Yuzuha

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: leaf

Pics: Getty Images

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