Japanese baby names are some of the prettiest around and with Isla and Mila topping the baby name charts, these Japanese baby girl names are similarly beautiful while also having touching meanings.
So, whether you want a traditional name for your Japanese joji or simply want a unique, charming name we have the one for you. We've broken down our favourite Japanese girl names into different categories so that you can find a name with a special meaning.
The best Japanese baby girl names
Classic Japanese girl names
You can't go wrong with a traditional name - after all, they're a classic for a reason.
•Sakura- This traditional Japanese name maintains the ability to stay modern despite being engrained in Japanese culture for decades. Meaning 'cherry blossom', it’s a classic name for any baby girl.
•Ema- One of the most popular Japanese girls names meaning 'benefit', 'favour' and 'flax'; the Western version of this name is Emma.
•Chizuru- An old-fashioned name that is lovely but has lost popularity over time. It means 'thousand cranes'.
•Naomi- A unisex name but often given to girls, Naomi has become popular in Western culture.
Nature-inspired Japanese girl names
Whether you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors or you're after a name that represents one of your favourite flowers, animals or plants, a nature-themed name is perfect.
•Azami- Perfect if you envisage a future warrior in your baby girl, Azami means 'thistle flower' which denotes defiance in Eastern mythology. Beautifully exotic yet easy to pronounce, we love Azami.
•Hana- This Japanese alternative to the biblical name Hannah can also be spelt Hanae. It’s one of the more popular names on the list, used all over the world, especially in the Czech Republic. Meaning 'flower', it is both beautiful and accessible.
•Karen- If you're after a nature name, Karen is a good option as it means 'flower', 'lotus' and 'water lily'.
•Miki- Yet another adorable gender-neutral name, Miki also has the cutest meaning of 'flower stem'. It’s easily pronounced and is popular in Japanese anime.
•Moe- Meaning 'bud' or 'sprout', they will "grow" into this little name.
•Suzume- A lovely name that can be shortened to Suzie. It means 'sparrow'.
•Ageha- A less common name which means 'swallowtail butterfly'.
•Natsuki- A stunning name which means 'moon', but in kanji it means 'summer moon'.
Pop culture Japanese girl names
From television shows and anime to celebrities and pop culture references, these are names that have been made popular in recent years.
•Chiyo- This adorable name has a traditional meaning of thousand generations. The title character and hero of Memoirs of a Geisha, Chiyo is commonly used in pop culture. It also has the cutest pet name: Chiyoko!
•Mai- We are obsessed with this adorable name! Meaning 'coyote', your little baby is sure to be a fighter. Mai is the name of many popular Japanese singers and actors, namely pop and R&B legend Mai Kuraki.
•Koko- This unique name is more popular than you would think, used most often in pop culture references. The nickname of Khloe Kardashian, it is sure to keep increasing in popularity for as long as America’s first family of reality TV continues to reign.
•Akira- This gender-neutral name means 'intelligent'. It became popular in the West because of its use in manga and video games, so any anime fans in the family will adore it.
•Suki- A much more familiar Japanese name in the West, Suki is most famously the name of Suki Waterhouse- English actor and model. It has a beautiful meaning 'loved one', but isn’t traditionally used as a name in Japan and is more commonly used as the verb ‘to love’.
•Ren- More commonly spelt as Wren in the US, Ren means lotus and is the Buddhist symbol of perfection. It is sure to become more widespread with the success of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, in which Kylo Ren is a main, albeit male, character.
•Katana- Often spelt Kitana, Katana means 'honourable' and is a popular type of sword, you might recognise the name from Michelle’s weapon on The Walking Dead. It might be unconventional, but we love the warrior vibes.
•Kimi- This super sweet name means 'righteous', and is the Asian equivalent of Barbie. It’s also Kim Kardashian’s nickname, the Kardashian family do love their Japanese nicknames!
•Nori- It may be the name of your favourite sushi roll, but it is also the cutest Japanese baby girl name. Used as a nickname for North West, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s daughter, it is bound to jump in popularity over the next few years.
•Hotaru- A bright name that means 'firefly' which has been made popular by Sailor Moon, a well-known anime franchise.
Water-themed Japanese baby girl names
Mystical and magical, these water-themed names are simply beautiful.
•Amaya- Meaning 'night rain', this Japanese name is favoured for its ability to be shortened to Maya. The gorgeous twist on the Spanish version Amaia has held its place as a baby name favourite since 1996.
•Kasumi- This name means 'mist', but it can also mean 'pure' and 'flower' as well.
Colour-themed Japanese baby girl names
It's a lovely idea to name your little one after your favourite colour, so why not check out these gorgeous names?
•Aya - A brilliant name meaning 'colourful' (but also 'beautiful' or 'design' too). One notable Aya is Aya Hisakawa who's a voice actress and singer.
•Midori- This means 'green' and is actually the name of a sweet alcoholic liqueur from Japan.
•Etsuko- Meaning 'child of the rainbow', this would make a beautiful name for a rainbow baby.
•Kitsu- A vibrant name meaning 'orange' and 'tangerine'.
•Kohaku- Referring to the fossilised gemstone, this name beginning with K means 'amber'.
Pretty Japanese baby girl names
These pretty names sound nice and have lovely meanings too. Check them out below.
•Zen- This simple name has great meaning for Buddhist families. Zen means 'peace', and is a form of Buddhism that focuses on meditation and intuition.
•Kiaria- A beautiful variation on Kiara or Keira, this unusual name means 'fortunate'. It could be shortened to Kia, making it even sweeter.
•Dai- One of the more unique options, Dai is pronounced dah-ee and is gender-neutral. It has a beautiful meaning: to shine. It has different meaning all over the world, in Arabic Dai may refer to Da’i, which means 'missionary' and refers to a person inviting people to Islam.
•Kei- A feminine Japanese name which means 'blessed', as well as 'joyous' and 'respect'.
•Sara- A name with several meanings, Sara means 'princess', but it also means 'happiness', 'gauze', 'silk' and 'music', as well as 'sand'.
•Megumi- A special name. Megumi means 'grace' and 'blessing'.
•Ishi- This charming name denotes strong character, perfect for your baby girl! It peaked in popularity in 2014 and has been waiting for a revival ever since.
•Emica- Name your beautiful daughter Emica which means 'charming' or 'beautiful' and 'blessed'.
•Taya- This beautiful name has grown in popularity with the rise of Maya and Kaya. It’s meaning somewhat less poetic than the name sounds itself: young. Literal meaning or not, this name is a winner.
•Hibiki- Meaning 'echo' or 'sound', this charming name is pronounced 'khee-bee-kyee'.
•Tori- A popular variation on English name Victoria, Tori is famously attached to actor Tori Spelling and has a more modern feel than Vicky. Meaning bird, it’s one of the more accessible names on the list, commonly used in America.
•Yoshi- Another adorable gender-neutral name, Yoshi means good or respectful. Perfect for Mario Bros fans, this unique name is great if you want something unconventional yet cute.
•Sora - A bright name meaning 'sky'.
•Yuka- Depending on the kanji characters it is written in, Yuka can mean either 'reason, beautiful' or 'reason, fragrance'.
•Nara- This beautiful name has an abundance of meaning in different cultures. The name of a gorgeous Japanese city, Nara means happy in Japan and is also the name of a Hindu God. It does mean ‘man’ in Hindi though, so may be a more unconventional option.
•Shun- Meaning 'fast' and 'success' this name is ideal for athletic families.
•Ai- Short but sweet, this name means 'love' and 'affection'.
•Shiori- There are several meanings for this gorgeous name. Depending on how it's written, it can mean 'bookmark' (which is brilliant for booklovers) or 'poem', 'graceful' and 'weave'.
**•Hoshiko-**This name combines the words 'star' and 'child'.
•Keiko- Once your baby is born you'll want to celebrate so why not adorn them with a name that literally means 'celebrate' and 'happy child'?
•Yume- Another name with multiple meanings, this one means 'rich, plentiful and abundant', but it also means 'dream' and vision', as well as 'sprout' and 'bud'.
How are Japanese names written?
There are several ways you can write Japanese names. One way is with kanji, which is where words and syllables are represented with symbols. For single letters, hiragana is often used and for foreign words, it's katakana. They can have different meanings depending on which way you decide to write each name.
You always know when you've found 'the one' and this is true for your baby's name too! If none of these names are the perfect fit for your new arrival, why not try our baby name generator? Alternatively, if you could be having a boy, don't forget to check out our Japanese boy names too.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.