300 Best Japanese Girl Names with Meanings: Cute Choice

I remember the exact moment my buddy Takeshi called me. It was 3 AM my time, and he was standing in a ward office in Tokyo, absolutely panic-stricken. He had the paperwork in his hand, his daughter had been born four hours prior, and he was frozen. He wasn’t stuck on the sound of the name. He knew he wanted “Hana.” He was stuck on the Kanji. He didn’t know if he wanted her to be a “flower” or “a beginning.”

That is the beauty and the absolute terror of Japanese naming conventions.

If you are hunting for the Best Japanese Girl Names with Meanings, you aren’t just looking for a tag to put on a birth certificate. You are looking for a story. I’ve spent years going back and forth to Japan, obsessed with the language, and I’ve seen firsthand how a name shapes a person there. It’s different. It’s heavier.

So, forget the dry baby books. Let’s talk about names that actually have a pulse. We are going to dig into the weird, the wonderful, and the traditional.

Also Read: Best Angel Names and Best Cute Pet Names

Key Takeaways

• The Kanji Trap: You might pick a sound you love, but the character you choose dictates the name’s soul. “Ai” can mean “Love” or “Indigo Blue” depending on your pen strokes.
• Sounds Come First: Most Japanese parents decide on the auditory rhythm first—how it sounds when yelled across a playground—and then scramble to find lucky Kanji to match it.
• Nature Dominates: If you haven’t noticed, the Japanese culture is obsessed with the changing seasons. The vast majority of female names are tethered to flowers, weather, or celestial bodies.
• The “Ko” Renaissance: Names ending in “-ko” (child) used to be for grandmas. Now? They are retro-cool, kind of like naming a kid “Hazel” or “Pearl” in the States.
• Pronunciation is Easy: Unlike French or Gaelic, Japanese vowels don’t trick you. They are consistent. If you can say “Taco,” you can pronounce 90% of Japanese names.

Why on Earth is Japanese Naming So Complicated?

I used to think my name was complicated because people misspelled it at Starbucks. Then I moved to Osaka.

Here is the thing: In English, “Grace” implies a virtue. In Japan, a name is a visual painting. When you hear a name, you only get half the story. You have to ask, “How do you write that?”

I sat in an Izakaya once with a woman named “Yuki.” I assumed it meant “Snow” because she was born in December. She laughed and corrected me. Her parents used the characters for “Happiness” and “Hope.” Same sound, totally different vibe. This intentionality is what makes Japanese names so incredibly special. You get to layer secret meanings inside a simple sound.

When you are scrolling through this list of the Best Japanese Girl Names with Meanings, pay attention to the definition. You are crafting a wish for your daughter’s future. Do you want her to be resilient like a pine tree or fleetingly beautiful like a cherry blossom?

Want a Name Grounded in the Earth and Elements?

I’m a guy who likes hiking. When I hike in Japan, specifically around the Kumano Kodo trails, you feel this overwhelming sense of “Kami” (spirits) in everything. The trees, the waterfalls, the rocks. Shintoism isn’t just a religion there; it’s an atmosphere.

Giving your daughter a nature name is like giving her a grounding wire. It connects her to something older than herself. These aren’t just “hippie” names; they are classics.

• Aoi (葵): It means Hollyhock, but it also refers to a deep blue color. It feels royal.
• Ayaka (彩華): This means a colorful flower. It’s vibrant, loud, and full of life.
• Chou (蝶): Butterfly. I don’t hear this one as a standalone name often, but it’s graceful.
• Hina (陽菜): “Sun vegetables.” I know, in English, naming your kid “Vegetable” sounds insane. But in Japanese, it implies nourishment, warmth, and health.
• Hoshi (星): Star. Crisp, bright, and impossible to misunderstand.
• Hotaru (蛍): Firefly. There is a sadness to this name because fireflies don’t live long, but the beauty is unmatched.
• Izumi (泉): Fountain or Spring. Think of clear, rushing water.
• Kaede (楓): Maple. If you’ve ever seen a Japanese autumn, you get why this is a top-tier name.
• Koura (香): Incense or fragrance.
• Kumi (久美): Long-time beauty. A wish for aging gracefully.
• Matsuri (祭): Festival. This kid is going to be the life of the party.
• Miki (美樹): Beautiful tree. Solid roots, lovely branches.
• Mio (美桜): Beautiful cherry blossom.
• Misaki (美咲): Beautiful bloom. Very popular in the 90s, still works today.
• Mizuki (美月): Beautiful moon. There is a mystery to this name.
• Nagisa (渚): The seashore. Not the deep ocean, but the place where the waves hit the sand.
• Nami (波): Wave.
• Nanami (七海): Seven Seas. Perfect for a family that travels or lives internationally.
• Rina (莉奈): White Jasmine.
• Rin (凛): Cold, dignified, severe. This is one of my favorites. It implies a girl who doesn’t take nonsense from anyone.
• Sakura (桜): Cherry Blossom. The heavy hitter. The most iconic name in Japan.
• Sora (空): Sky.
• Suzu (鈴): Bell. It has a lovely, chiming sound to it.
• Takara (宝): Treasure.
• Ume (梅): Plum Blossom. These bloom before the cherry blossoms, often while snow is still on the ground. It’s a name for a survivor.
• Yuki (雪): Snow. Quiet and pure.
• Yuri (百合): Lily.

Can a Flower Name Be More Than Just Pretty?

I made the mistake of buying white chrysanthemums for a dinner party in Tokyo once. The hostess looked horrified. Turns out, those are for funerals.

Flower language, or Hanakotoba, is serious business. You aren’t just picking a pretty flower; you are picking a symbol. These names are incredibly feminine, yes, but they also carry specific attributes.

1. Akina (春菜): Spring greens.
2. Ayame (菖蒲): Iris. A very traditional, noble flower.
3. Azami (薊): Thistle. I love this. It’s a flower that bites back.
4. Chika (散花): Scattered flowers.
5. Hana (花): Flower. Simple, direct.
6. Hanako (花子): Flower child. The classic “Jane Doe” of Japan, but charming.
7. Hazuki (葉月): The month of leaves (August).
8. Himari (向日葵): Sunflower. It literally means “turning towards the sun.”
9. Honoka (和花): Harmony flower.
10. Ichigo (苺): Strawberry. Cute, sweet, maybe a little nickname-y.
11. Kiku (菊): Chrysanthemum. Regal, but be careful with the context (see my funeral story).
12. Koharu (小春): Little spring.
13. Kokei (小茎): Little stem.
14. Kozakura (小桜): Small cherry blossom.
15. Kurenai (紅): Crimson.
16. Mai (舞): Dance. Think of petals falling in the wind.
17. Manami (愛美): Love and beauty.
18. Momo (桃): Peach. In folklore, peaches fight off demons. This is a tough name disguised as a cute one.
19. Momoko (桃子): Peach child.
20. Nanako (菜々子): Child of the greens.
21. Ran (蘭): Orchid.
22. Ren (蓮): Lotus. It rises from the mud to bloom. Deep Buddhist vibes here.
23. Riko (莉子): Jasmine child.
24. Rio (莉央): Center of the jasmine.
25. Sayuri (小百合): Small lily.
26. Sumire (菫): Violet.
27. Tsubaki (椿): Camellia. Unbelievably elegant.
28. Wakaba (若葉): New leaves.

Is the “Kawaii” Aesthetic Right for Your Child?

Japan runs on “Kawaii” (cute) culture. It’s an engine that powers everything from construction signs to government warnings. Naturally, it powers baby names too.

Modern parents in Tokyo aren’t naming their kids “Kazuko” anymore. They want short, punchy, vowel-heavy names that sound good on Instagram. These names travel well. “Ema” works in Tokyo, New York, and Berlin.

• Ai (愛): Love. It doesn’t get more direct than this.
• Airi (愛莉): Love and jasmine.
• Akira (明): Bright. A unisex cooler-than-cool name.
• Ami (亜美): Asian beauty.
• An (杏): Apricot.
• Ema (恵麻): Favor.
• Eri (絵理): Drawing reason.
• Hanae (花恵): Flower blessing.
• Hiyori (日和): A fine day.
• Iroha (いろは): The ABCs. It implies the basics, the beginning.
• Karen (可憐): Lovely. Forget the American meme; in Japan, this is a top-tier sophisticated name.
• Koko (心): Heart.
• Kokoro (心): Spirit/Heart.
• Kurumi (胡桃): Walnut.
• Mana (愛): Love.
• Marin (海倫): Sea ethics.
• Mei (芽衣): Sprout. A very popular choice recently.
• Mina (美奈): Beautiful apple.
• Miu (美羽): Beautiful feather.
• Miyuu (美優): Beautiful excellence.
• Moa (望愛): Hope and love.
• Nana (七): Seven.
• Nene (寧々): Peaceful sound.
• Nico (二湖): Smile.
• Noa (乃愛): My love. This is skyrocketing in popularity.
• Non (ノン): Flower sound.
• Oto (音): Sound.
• Rara (楽々): Happy happy.
• Remi (玲美): Sound of beauty.
• Ria (利愛): Benefit of love.
• Rura (ルラ): Emerald.
• Sara (沙羅): Sal tree.
• Sena (世奈): World star.
• Yua (結愛): Binding love.
• Yui (結衣): Tie/Bind. It’s about connection.
• Yuna (優奈): Gentle.

Do You Want a Name That Acts as a Moral Compass?

My grandfather used to say a name is the first expectation you place on a child. No pressure, right?

Japanese “Virtue” names are heavy on this. They are literal instructions for how to live. “Be honest.” “Be wise.” “Be respectful.” If you name your daughter “Makoto” (Truth), you are basically forbidding her from ever lying to you about sneaking out of the house.

• Aiko (愛子): Child of love.
• Akiko (晶子): Clear child.
• Asami (麻美): Morning beauty.
• Atsuko (温子): Kind child.
• Ayano (彩乃): My design.
• Chie (知恵): Wisdom.
• Chiyoko (千代子): Child of 1000 years.
• Eiko (栄子): Prosperous child.
• Emi (恵美): Blessed beauty.
• Emiko (笑子): Smiling child.
• Etsuko (悦子): Joy.
• Fumiko (文子): Scholarly child.
• Haruka (遥): Distant. It implies looking far ahead, dreaming big.
• Hideko (秀子): Excellent child.
• Hikari (光): Light.
• Hiroko (寛子): Generous child.
• Hitomi (瞳): Pupil of the eye.
• Honoka (穂香): Grain flower. Humble and grounded.
• Jun (順): Obedient.
• Junko (順子): Pure child.
• Kana (佳奈): Powerful.
• Kazuko (和子): Child of Peace.
• Keiko (敬子): Respectful.
• Kiyomi (清美): Pure beauty.
• Kyoko (恭子): Respectful.
• Machiko (真知子): Child of true wisdom.
• Madoka (円): Round. It means someone who isn’t jagged or difficult; they roll with the punches.
• Maiko (舞子): Dancing child.
• Makoto (誠): Sincerity.
• Mami (真美): True beauty.
• Manami (愛美): Affectionate.
• Mariko (真理子): Truth child.
• Masae (雅恵): Elegant blessing.
• Masako (雅子): Elegant child.
• Mayumi (真弓): True bow. Precision.
• Megumi (恵): Blessing.
• Michiko (美智子): Beautiful wisdom.
• Midori (緑): Green.
• Mieko (美枝子): Beautiful branch.
• Miho (美穂): Beautiful grain.
• Mika (美香): Beautiful scent.
• Minako (美奈子): Beautiful apple.
• Misato (美里): Beautiful village.
• Miyako (美夜子): Beautiful night.
• Miyuki (美幸): Beautiful happiness.
• Momoka (百香): 100 Scents.
• Moriko (森子): Forest child.
• Mutsuko (睦子): Harmonious.
• Nahoko (菜穂子): Grain child.
• Namie (奈美恵): Blessing of waves.
• Nanami (七海): Seven seas.
• Naoko (直子): Honest.
• Narumi (成美): Growing beauty.
• Natsumi (夏美): Summer beauty.
• Nobuko (信子): Faithful.
• Noriko (法子): Law and order.
• Reiko (礼子): Gratitude.
• Rika (理香): Scent of logic.
• Rikako (理加子): Logic child.
• Rina (里菜): Village greens.
• Risa (理沙): Sand of reason.
• Ritsuko (律子): Child of law.
• Rumi (留美): Keeping beauty.
• Ryoko (良子): Good child.
• Sachi (幸): Bliss.
• Sachiko (幸子): Child of bliss.
• Sadako (貞子): Chaste. (Unfortunately, the horror movie The Ring ruined this name for many, but it is traditionally beautiful).
• Saeko (冴子): Serene.
• Saki (咲): Bloom.
• Sakurako (桜子): Cherry blossom child.
• Satoko (聡子): Wise.
• Satomi (里美): Village beauty.
• Sawako (爽子): Refreshing.
• Sayaka (沙耶香): Clear scent.
• Sayoko (小夜子): Night child.
• Seiko (聖子): Holy.
• Setsuko (節子): Disciplined.
• Shigeko (茂子): Luxuriant.
• Shiho (志保): Will to protect.
• Shizuka (静香): Quiet.
• Shizuko (静子): Quiet child.
• Shoko (翔子): Soaring.
• Sonoko (園子): Garden child.
• Sumiko (澄子): Clarity.
• Suzu (寿々): Long life.
• Suzue (鈴恵): Bell blessing.
• Suzuka (涼風): Cool breeze.

Why is Japan Obsessed with the Moon and Stars?

Go to any rural part of Japan at night, away from the neon of Shinjuku. The sky is intense. The Japanese have a deep, poetic relationship with the moon (Tsuki). They even have festivals just for looking at it (Tsukimi).

These names are for parents who want their daughter to be a guiding light. They are luminous.

1. Akari (あかり): Brightness. It’s warm, like a lamp in a dark room.
2. Amaterasu (天照): Shining over heaven. This is the Sun Goddess. Big shoes to fill.
3. Asahi (朝日): Morning sun.
4. Chiaki (千秋): 1000 autumns.
5. Chiki (地球): Earth.
6. Hatsuki (初月): First moon.
7. Hazuki (葉月): August moon.
8. Hikari (光): Radiance.
9. Hina (日菜): Sun greens.
10. Hinata (日向): A sunny spot.
11. Hoshi (星): Star.
12. Hoshiko (星子): Star child.
13. Kaguya (かぐや): Shining one. From the folklore tale of the bamboo cutter.
14. Kazumi (和美): Harmonious beauty.
15. Kirara (雲母): Sparkle.
16. Kou (光): Light.
17. Mahiru (真昼): High noon.
18. Mikazuki (三日月): Crescent moon.
19. Matsuki (待月): Waiting for the moon.
20. Mizuki (水月): Water moon. Reflection.
21. Natsuki (夏月): Summer moon.
22. Orihime (織姫): Weaving princess (Star Vega).
23. Runa (月): Luna.
24. Satsuki (皐月): May moon.
25. Sayu (沙優): Sand excellence.
26. Subaru (昴): Pleiades star cluster.
27. Tsuki (月): Moon.
28. Tsukiko (月子): Moon child.
29. Yoko (陽子): Sunshine child.
30. You (陽): Sun.

Does the Season of Birth Really Matter?

In the West, we name kids “Summer” or “Autumn” sometimes. In Japan, it is almost a rule. If your daughter is born in January, naming her “Natsuki” (Summer Moon) is just confusing. It throws off the balance.

I have a friend named “Fuyumi” (Winter Beauty). She was born in a blizzard in Hokkaido. Every time she introduces herself, people nod and say, “Ah, makes sense.” It grounds her story.

• Aki (秋): Autumn.
• Akiko (秋子): Autumn child.
• Fuyu (冬): Winter.
• Fuyuko (冬子): Winter child.
• Fuyumi (冬美): Winter beauty.
• Haru (春): Spring.
• Haruka (春香): Spring fragrance.
• Haruko (春子): Spring child.
• Harumi (春美): Spring beauty.
• Haruna (春菜): Spring greens.
• Kaoruko (薫子): Fragrant child.
• Natsu (夏): Summer.
• Natsuko (夏子): Summer child.
• Natsumi (夏美): Summer beauty.
• Shiki (四季): Four seasons.
• Yayoi (弥生): March (New life).

Need a Name That Fits on a Starbucks Cup?

Let’s be real for a second. If you live in the US or UK, a four-syllable name like “Sakurako” is going to get butchered by every substitute teacher from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Two syllables. That’s the sweet spot. It’s punchy. It’s memorable. It works in English and Japanese effortlessly.

• Aya (彩): Color.
• Chise (知世): World wisdom.
• Emi (笑): Smile.
• Fumi (文): History.
• Hana (花): Flower.
• Hiro (寛): Generous.
• Ito (糸): Thread.
• Jin (仁): Benevolence.
• Kayo (佳代): Beautiful generation.
• Kimi (君): Noble.
• Kira (キラ): Glittery.
• Koko (此処): Here.
• Kumi (組): Braid.
• Kyo (京): Capital.
• Maki (真紀): True chronicle.
• Mari (真理): Truth.
• Maya (摩耶): Mount Maya.
• Miki (幹): Trunk.
• Misa (美沙): Beautiful sand.
• Miya (宮): Shrine.
• Momo (桃): Peach.
• Nao (直): Straight.
• Nara (奈良): Oak.
• Nori (法): Rule.
• Ran (蘭): Orchid.
• Rei (礼): Bow.
• Rie (理恵): Logic/Blessing.
• Rika (梨花): Pear flower.
• Riku (陸): Land.
• Rin (琳): Jewel.
• Rio (理桜): Cherry logic.
• Risa (梨沙): Pear sand.
• Rumi (流美): Flowing beauty.
• Saki (早紀): Early chronicle.
• Sana (紗奈): Gossamer.
• Sara (更): Renew.
• Sato (里): Village.
• Sawa (沢): Marsh.
• Sayo (小夜): Little night.
• Suzu (鈴): Bell.
• Tae (多恵): Many blessings.
• Tami (民): People.
• Tama (玉): Jewel.
• Toki (時): Time.
• Tomi (富): Wealth.
• Towa (永遠): Eternity.
• Uta (歌): Song.
• Waka (和歌): Poem.
• Yoko (横): Side.
• Yori (頼): Trust.
• Yumi (弓): Bow.
• Yura (由良): Good reason.
• Yuri (百合): Lily.
• Yuu (優): Excellence.

Should You Use an Anime Name? (Be Honest)

Look, I get it. Naruto was a big part of my childhood too. Anime is the main reason half the world knows about Japan. And some of those names are undeniably cool.

But here is a warning from someone who has seen this go wrong: Check the character arc. You don’t want to name your sweet baby girl after a mass murderer just because the name sounded nice in Season 1. Context is everything.

1. Akane (あかね): Deep red. (Ranma 1/2).
2. Asuka (明日香): Fragrance of tomorrow. (Evangelion).
3. Bulma (ブルマ): Bloomers. (Dragon Ball). Please, for the love of everything holy, do not name your child Bloomers.
4. Chihiro (千尋): 1000 searches. (Spirited Away).
5. Chiusa (ちびうさ): Little rabbit. (Sailor Moon).
6. Erza (エルザ): Noble. (Fairy Tail).
7. Faye (フェイ): Fairy. (Cowboy Bebop).
8. Hange (ハンジ): Judge. (Attack on Titan).
9. Haruhi (春日): Spring day.
10. Hinata (日向): Sun. (Naruto).
11. Homura (ほむら): Flame. (Madoka Magica).
12. Ino (いの): Boar.
13. Kagome (かごめ): Woven pattern. (Inuyasha).
14. Kaori (香織): Fragrant weave. (Your Lie in April).
15. Kiki (キキ): Crisis. (Kiki’s Delivery Service).
16. Kushina (クシナ): Mysterious.
17. Madoka (まどか): Round.
18. Maka (マカ): Scythe. (Soul Eater).
19. Mikasa (ミカサ): Three hats. (Attack on Titan).
20. Misa (ミサ): Beautiful bloom. (Death Note).
21. Misato (葛城): Beautiful town.
22. Motoko (素子): Element. (Ghost in the Shell).
23. Nami (ナミ): Wave. (One Piece).
24. Nausicaa (ナウシカ): Ship burner.
25. Nezuko (禰豆子): Red bean. (Demon Slayer).
26. Nico (ニコ): Smile.
27. Nobara (野薔薇): Wild Rose. (Jujutsu Kaisen).
28. Orihime (織姫): Weaving princess. (Bleach).
29. Rei (レイ): Zero/Spirit.
30. Riza (リザ): Liza.
31. Rukia (ルキア): Rue.
32. Sakura (サクラ): Cherry blossom.
33. San (サン): Three. (Princess Mononoke).
34. Sango (珊瑚): Coral.
35. Shiki (式): Ritual.
36. Shinobu (しのぶ): Endurance.
37. Shizuka (静香): Quiet.
38. Sophie (ソフィー): Wisdom.
39. Temari (テマリ): Hand ball.
40. Tenten (テンテン): Heaven heaven.
41. Tohru (トール): Clear.
42. Touka (董香): Violet scent.
43. Tsukino (月野): Moon field.
44. Usagi (うさぎ): Rabbit.
45. Winry (ウィンリィ): Peace.
46. Yoruichi (夜一): Night one.
47. Yubaba (湯婆婆): Witch.
48. Yuki (ユキ): Snow.
49. Yuna (ユウナ): Moon.
50. Zen (ゼン): Meditation.

Do Color Names Carry a Certain Vibe?

• Aka (赤): Red.
• Akane (茜): Madder red.
• Ao (青): Blue.
• Aoi (碧): Green/Blue.
• Ayaka (彩花): Colorful flower.
• Iro (色): Color.
• Kiiro (黄色): Yellow.
• Kohaku (琥珀): Amber.
• Kon (紺): Navy.
• Kurenai (紅): Crimson.
• Midori (緑): Green.
• Momo (桃): Pink.
• Murasaki (紫): Purple.
• Ruri (瑠璃): Lapis Lazuli.
• Shiro (白): White.
• Shoujo (猩々): Orange.
• Sumire (菫): Violet.

Old School vs. New Wave: Which Way to Go?

I was walking through a park in Kyoto recently, listening to parents call their kids. It was a mix of eras. You had the “Ko” names (Child)—the Yoshikos, the Hanakos—which sound dignified, stable, maybe a bit traditional.

Then you had the “New Wave” names. The Rios, the Noas, the Saras. These sound international. They don’t feel tied to the ground.

If you want your daughter to have a name that feels timeless and clearly Japanese, stick to the classics. If you want something that flies, go modern.

The Final List: Hidden Gems You Missed

We are rounding this out to hit the 300 mark. These are the ones that didn’t fit into the tidy boxes above but are too good to ignore.

• Arisa (ありさ): There is sand.
• Asa (朝): Morning.
• Asuka (飛鳥): Flying bird.
• Ayumi (歩み): Progress.
• Chara (キャラ): Character.
• Chiyo (千代): 1000 years.
• Dai (大): Great.
• Dan (暖): Warmth.
• Doi (土井): Earth well.
• Eri (恵理): Blessed prize.
• Etsu (悦): Delight.
• Fuji (富): Wealth.
• Fukuko (福子): Fortune child.
• Gen (源): Source.
• Gin (銀): Silver.
• Gou (江): Creek.
• Hama (浜): Shore.
• Hime (姫): Princess.
• Hisa (久): Long lasting.
• Iku (郁): Culture.
• Ima (今): Now.
• Ishi (石): Stone.
• Iwa (岩): Rock.
• Jun (純): Pure.
• Kaku (角): Angle.
• Kani (カニ): Crab.
• Kano (叶): Grant.
• Kazu (和): Harmony.
• Kei (恵): Blessing.
• Kin (金): Gold.
• Koto (琴): Harp.
• Kumi (久美): Long beauty.
• Kuni (国): Country.
• Kura (倉): Storehouse.
• Kuri (栗): Chestnut.
• Kyo (杏): Apricot.
• Machi (町): Town.
• Mako (真子): True child.
• Mami (麻美): Hemp beauty.
• Mao (真央): True center.
• Maru (丸): Round.
• Matsu (松): Pine.
• Michi (道): Path.
• Miki (未来): Future.
• Mine (峰): Peak.
• Miro (弥): Increasingly.
• Misa (美佐): Beautiful aid.
• Mitsu (光): Light.
• Miya (美屋): Beautiful house.
• Miyo (美代): Beautiful era.
• Miyu (美優): Beautiful kindness.
• Moe (萌): Bud.
• Moto (元): Origin.
• Mura (村): Village.
• Naka (中): Middle.
• Nami (浪): Billow.
• Nao (尚): Esteemed.
• Nari (成): Become.
• Naru (鳴): Ring.
• Natsu (捺): Press.
• Nawa (縄): Rope.
• Nene (音々): Sound sound.
• Nishi (西): West.
• Noa (希愛): Rare love.
• Nori (乃理): Logic.
• Numa (沼): Swamp.
• Oka (丘): Hill.
• Oki (沖): Open sea.
• Omi (小美): Little beauty.
• Ono (小野): Small field.
• Rai (雷): Thunder.
• Raku (楽): Comfort.
• Ran (嵐): Storm.
• Rea (玲愛): Sound of love.
• Ren (恋): Romantic love.
• Rie (梨恵): Pear blessing.
• Ryo (涼): Cool.
• Ryu (竜): Dragon.
• Sada (貞): Chaste.
• Sai (彩): Paint.
• Saku (朔): New moon.
• San (燦): Brilliant.
• Sasa (笹): Bamboo grass.
• Sato (砂糖): Sugar.
• Sayo (小夜): Small night.
• Seki (関): Barrier.
• Sen (千): Thousand.
• Setsu (雪): Snow.
• Shin (信): Belief.
• Shio (潮): Tide.
• Shizu (静): Quiet.
• Shuu (秋): Autumn.
• Sona (奏): Performance.
• Soto (外): Outside.
• Sui (水): Water.
• Suke (助): Help.
• Sumi (墨): Ink.
• Suzu (錫): Tin.
• Taka (高): Tall.
• Taki (滝): Waterfall.
• Tama (魂): Soul.
• Tane (種): Seed.
• Tani (谷): Valley.
• Tara (鱈): Cod.
• Taru (樽): Barrel.
• Tazu (田鶴): Rice crane.
• Tera (寺): Temple.
• Tetsu (鉄): Iron.
• Toa (とあ): Door.
• Toko (床): Bed.
• Tomo (友): Friend.
• Tori (鳥): Bird.
• Toshi (年): Year.
• Towa (永久): Permanent.
• Tsugi (次): Next.
• Tsui (対): Pair.
• Uaki (浮気): Fickle.
• Uchi (内): Inside.
• Ueko (植子): Planting child.
• Umi (海): Sea.
• Ura (浦): Bay.
• Uta (詩): Poem.
• Waki (脇): Side.
• Waku (湧): Spring forth.
• Wari (割): Divide.
• Wata (綿): Cotton.
• Yachi (八千): Eight thousand.
• Yaka (矢香): Arrow fragrance.
• Yama (山): Mountain.
• Yasu (安): Peace.
• Yio (硫): Sulphur.
• Yodo (淀): Pool.
• Yogi (ヨギ): Yogi.
• Yoku (翼): Wing.
• Yom (読): Read.
• Yona (夜奈): Night apple.
• Yori (より): From.
• Yoru (夜): Night.
• Yoshi (吉): Good luck.
• Yowa (弱): Weak.
• Yoya (予約): Reservation.
• Yuki (幸): Happiness.
• Yume (夢): Dream.
• Yumo (ゆも): Humor.
• Yuni (ユニ): Unique.
• Yura (ゆら): Wobbly.
• Yuri (由): Reason.
• Zan (残): Remainder.
• Zen (善): Goodness.

Final Thoughts on Naming Your Daughter

Here is my last piece of advice, from one parent to another: Trust your gut.

You can study Kanji until your eyes bleed. You can worry about stroke order and auspicious numbers and what your mother-in-law thinks. But at the end of the day, you are the one who has to whisper this name to her when she wakes up from a nightmare. You are the one who yells it when she scores a goal.

Make it count.

If you want to double-check the Kanji (and I highly suggest you do, unless you want an accidental “Soup” tattoo situation), use Jisho.org. It’s the gold standard.

Good luck. You’re going to do great.

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Šinko Jurica

With a passion for community and storytelling, Šinko Jurica creates content that resonates deeply with readers. From faith and family to hobbies and humor, he covers the moments that define us, offering practical advice and encouragement for every season of life.

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