Japanese Girl Names

Simple, Zen-like name of a mythological forest elf.

Pronunciation would not be obvious to Americans.

Tetsu is a female name with an unusually strong and powerful meaning. It sounds spunky and cute too.

Commonly used in Japanese families.

One of the better-known Japanese names.

Popular name in Japan, wouldn't work too well outside that culture.

The childhood name of the heroine of Memoirs of a Geisha is pretty and accessible. Chiyiko is a pet form.

Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen.

What parent wouldn't love this meaning?

Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.

Well-used in Japan, this name refers to the suzu, a tiny metal bell often placed in a silk charm bag and attached to a girl's undergarment so that a lovely tinkling sound is heard as she moves, and originally thought to frighten demons.

An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names.

One of the most familiar Japanese names thanks to the first commoner to become empress of Japan and to New York Times book empress Michiko Kakutani.

The Japanese Rikku is familiar in the west as the name of one of the lead characters of the "Final Fantasy" video game series. Voted "hottest character," the fictional Rikku is a thief with a good sense of humor.

Could work for a blended Japanese-Irish family.

Closely tied to the widow of John Lennon.

Not as familiar as some other Asian imports; has a strong unisex feel.