Looking for a complete list of Japanese female names with meanings and characters (Kanji)? Suki Desu has just shared one of the best lists you will find in your life, with great names to give to your daughter or pet.
It is worth mentioning that despite presenting a meaning, it is shallow and superficial, if you research the ideogram in depth using a dictionary, or even change the ideograms used in the writing of the name, it can gain a different new meaning.
If you want to examine Japanese names in depth, let's leave our article: See how to write your name in Kanji – Ideograms!
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Unfortunately our List is limited and does not have the 5% of existing Japanese female names nor specifies details of their meanings.
Table of Contents
How to find out the meaning of a female Japanese name
We created an article that serves as a Japanese Names Guide where we talk all about Japanese names, their origin and how to discover the meaning and choose a name. Let's briefly talk about Japanese female names in this article.
Read our: Japanese Female and Male Names Guide
Before the list begins, we recommend watching our Japanese names video that can help you choose other names you might not find on the list, as well as delve into the meaning of each of the Japanese female names.
Japanese Female Names By Period or Era
Taisho period [1912-1926] - The most popular female Japanese names of the Taisho Era were Chiyo and Fumiko.
Showa period [1927-1980] - Kazuko and Sachiko were among the most chosen options during the Showa Period. Around 1958, the names Kumiko, Yumiko, and Keiko were the most given to baby girls in Japan. By about 1965, we had Mayumi, Naomi, and Akemi. In the 80s, there were many babies named Ai, which means love.
Heisei Era or Period [1989-2019] - At the beginning of the Heisei Era of Emperor Akihito, the choices were between Narumi, Noriko, and Saki. In the 2000s, the majority of children were named Sakura, Haruna, and Yuzuki.
Japanese Female Names Inspired by Nature
Let's start our list by mentioning Japanese female names inspired by nature such as flowers and natural elements.
Female Japanese names with meanings of flowers
See below a list of Japanese feminine flower names and their meanings:
- Sakura (桜): Cherry blossom, symbol of ephemeral beauty and renewal.
- Hana (花): Flower, representing beauty and delicacy.
- Kiku (菊): Chrysanthemum, symbol of longevity and nobility.
- Rika (莉花): Jasmine, a flower associated with sweetness and femininity.
- Ayame (菖蒲): Iris, a flower that symbolizes courage and hope.
- Sumire (菫): Violet, a flower associated with modesty and simple beauty.
- Momo (桃): Peach, a flower that symbolizes longevity and femininity.
- Yuri (百合): Lily, a flower that represents purity and innocence.
- Kaede (楓): Bordeaux, a tree whose autumn red leaves are a symbol of ephemeral beauty.
- Ran (蘭): Orchid, a flower that symbolizes rare and exotic beauty.
Japanese Female Names of Natural Elements
The following list presents Japanese female names with meanings of natural elements such as Moon and sky:
- Amaya (雨夜): Rainy night, a name that evokes the beauty and mystery of the rain.
- Sora (空): Sky, representing vastness and freedom.
- Hotaru (蛍): Firefly, symbol of light and hope.
- Mizuki (水樹): Tree near the water, a name that refers to the beauty and serenity of nature.
- Tsuki (月): Moon, associated with beauty, mystery, and femininity.
- Inazuma (稲妻): Lightning, a name that evokes the strength and energy of nature.
- Kasumi (霞): Mist, a name that suggests mystery and ethereal beauty.
- Arashi (嵐): Storm, a name that represents the force and unpredictability of nature.
- Niji (虹): Rainbow, symbol of hope and joy after the rain.
- Yukina (雪奈): Snow and beauty, a name that combines the beauty of snow with feminine grace.
- Suzume (雀): Sparrow, a bird that symbolizes joy and simplicity.
- Hoshi (星): Star, a name that represents the beauty and mystery of the night sky.
Popular Japanese Female Names
See below popular Japanese female names and their meanings:
- Yui (結衣): Clothing tie, a name that symbolizes union and connection. It is a very popular name in Japan, often associated with beauty, grace, and kindness.
- Emi (恵美): Blessed beauty, a name that expresses grace and beauty. It can also be interpreted as "lovely smile," adding a touch of joy and charm to the name.
- Akari (明里): Bright light, representing joy and hope. It is a name that evokes a radiant and optimistic personality.
- Haruka (遥): Distant, a name that suggests mystery and faraway beauty. It can also be interpreted as "spring," adding a touch of freshness and renewal.
- Kaori (香織): Fragrance, a name that evokes beauty and delicacy. It is a name that suggests a sweet and gentle personality.
- Sakura (桜): Cherry blossom, a symbol of ephemeral beauty and renewal. It is a very popular name in Japan, especially in the spring when the cherry trees bloom.
- Hana (花): Flower, representing beauty and delicacy. It is a simple yet elegant name that evokes the beauty of nature.
- Aoi (葵): Mallow, a plant that symbolizes perseverance and strength. It is a name that suggests a strong and determined personality.
- Hinata (日向): Sunny place, a name that evokes the joy and warmth of the sun. It is a name that suggests a cheerful and optimistic personality.
- Rin (凛): Dignity, a name that suggests a strong and independent personality. It can also be interpreted as "cold," adding a touch of mystery and elegance.
- Aoi (葵): Malva, a plant that symbolizes perseverance and strength. It is a name that suggests a strong and determined personality.
- Ayumi (歩美): Path of beauty or beauty in motion, representing a journey of growth and personal development.
- Kanon (花音): Sound of the flower or music of the flower, a name that evokes the beauty and harmony of nature.
- Mao (真央): True center or center of truth, a name that suggests an honest and authentic personality.
- Nana (七海): Seven seas, a name that represents the vastness and depth of the ocean.
- Rio (莉緒): Jasmine and thread, a name that combines the beauty and delicacy of jasmine with the strength and connection of a thread.
- Yuna (優奈): Gentle and apple tree, a name that suggests a gentle and comionate personality.
- Momoka (桃花): Peach blossom, a name that symbolizes longevity, femininity, and beauty.
- Mei (芽衣): Sprout and clothing, a name that represents the beginning of life and growth.
- Rina (莉奈): Jasmine and apple tree, a name that combines the beauty and delicacy of jasmine with the strength and nourishment of the apple tree.
Japanese female names with dark meanings
Despite the list below presenting somber names, it is worth ing that these names probably tend to be written with other ideograms and may have different meanings.
- Shizuka (静): Quiet, calm. It can evoke an aura of mystery and introspection.
- Tomoko (朋子): Friend of wisdom. Despite the positive meaning, the name can be associated with obscure or hidden wisdom.
- Reika (麗華): Beautiful flower. Beauty can be associated with seduction and danger.
- Rin (凛): Cold, dignified. The name may suggest a distant and enigmatic personality.
- Mei (冥): Darkness. A short and direct name that evokes the dark side.
- Kurumi (胡桃): Walnut. The walnut is associated with death and the underworld in some cultures.
- Yoru (夜): Night. The night is often associated with mystery, the unknown, and danger.
- Tsubaki (椿): Camellia. The red camellia is a symbol of death and sorrow in some Japanese traditions.
- Ayako (綾子): Colorful silk drawing. It may suggest a complex and multifaceted personality, with a hidden side.
- Misaki (岬): Cape, promontory. It can evoke a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Rare Japanese female names
Below we will see rare Japanese female names, but they are real proper names and can be found in some regions of Japan.
- Himiko (卑弥呼): Child of the sun. Name of an ancient shaman queen of Japan, shrouded in mystery and legends.
- Umeko (梅子): Plum blossom. It represents beauty, resilience, and hope that blooms even in harsh winter.
- Koharu (小春): Little spring. Suggests the beginning of something new and promising, a fresh start.
- Chinatsu (千夏): A thousand summers. It evokes the idea of a long and prosperous life, full of joy and warmth.
- Noa (乃愛): Of/from love. A short and simple name, but with a deep meaning of love and affection.
- Hotaru (蛍): Firefly. It symbolizes light in the darkness, hope, and ephemeral beauty.
- Saya (紗綾): Fine silk and design. Suggests elegance, delicacy, and artistic beauty.
- Akemi (明美): Bright beauty. It evokes a radiant, cheerful, and lively personality.
- Hikaru (光): Light, brightness. Represents hope, joy, and positivity.
- Izumi (泉): Source, spring. It symbolizes life, purity, and renewal.
Japanese Female Names of Virtues and Feelings
The names listed below mean virtues and feelings:
- Ai (愛): Love.
- Aika (愛佳): Love song.
- Aiko (愛子): Child of love.
- Aimi (愛美): Love and beauty.
- Akemi (明美): Bright beauty.
- Aki (秋): Bright or autumn.
- Akiko (秋子): Child of autumn or shining child.
- Asami (麻美): Morning beauty.
- Chie (恵): Wisdom.
- Chieko (恵子): Wise son.
- Etsuko (悦子): Happy child.
- Hiro (裕): Abundant.
- Hiroko (裕子): Abundant child.
- Hiromi (裕美): Abundant beauty.
- Hisako (久子): Long-lived son.
- Hisoka (密): Reserved.
- June (順): Obedient.
- Junko (順子): Obedient child.
- Kei (恵): Blessing, luck.
- Keiko (恵子): Blessed child.
- Kou (幸): Happiness.
- Kyo (杏): Apricot.
- Kyoko (恭子): Son of the city.
- Madoka (円): Circle.
- Mana (愛): Caring, love.
- Manami (愛美): Affectionate beauty.
- Masako (雅子): Elegant child.
- Masami (雅美): Elegant beauty.
- Masuyo (益世): To benefit the world.
- Megumi (恵): Blessing.
- Mi (美): Beauty.
- Akira (明): Bright, clear.
- Atsuko (篤子): Child + type.
- Chikako (千香子): Highly fragrant child.
- Etsuko (悦子): Happy child.
- Gina: Silver (compare with other forms of Gina).
- Harumi (春美): Spring + beautiful.
- Hideko (秀子): Wonderful child.
- Hisoka (密): Reserved.
- Kimi (君): Sir, noble (originally "you").
- Masayo (益世): Benefit the world.
- Nobuko (信子): Faithful son.
- Sachiko (幸子): Happy child.
- Shigeko (成子): Luxuriant child.
- Sumiko (澄子): Child with clear, pure thoughts.
- Susumu (進): Progressing.
- Yasuko (康子): Peaceful child.
- Yoshie (佳江): Beautiful river.
Artes and Aesthetics
- Kotone (琴音): Sound of the harp.
- Mai (舞): Dance.
- Maiko (舞子): Dance + child.
- Shiori (詩織): Poem; to weave.
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Did you like our list of Japanese female names with meanings? Found the name you wanted? If you haven't found it, we recommend reading our other articles on Japanese names:
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