Japanese Baby Names
Japanese names account for 0.7% of babies given a top-1,000 name in the US — 27 names in all, led by Amaya and Kai.
How common are Japanese names?
Measured across every name in the 2025 SSA top 1,000 lists.
Japanese names rising fastest
Already in the top 1,000 and still climbing — the Japanese names gaining ground.
What Japanese names mean
The ideas Japanese names return to most. Nature leads with 16 of them.
Origins that overlap with Japanese
Many names belong to more than one tradition. These share the most names with Japanese.
All Japanese baby names
771 names found
Aaya
Miracle, sign, or verse
Acari
Mite or small arachnid; possibly a variant of Akari.
Aeris
Air or atmosphere; often associated with the earth
Ahkai
Rising sun or ocean
Ahkari
Likely a modern variant of Akari, meaning light or brightness
Ahmi
My people or my nation
Ahmia
Unknown; possibly a modern variant or Japanese-inspired name.
Ahmiya
Black, dark; or a variant of Amiah
Ahmya
Black rain
Ahri
Graceful and elegant
Ai
Love, affection; indigo
Aia
Bird, flight, or earth
Aiana
Eternal flower or mirror
Aika
Love song or affection
Aiko
Beloved child
Aimi
Beautiful love
Aina
Grace, love, or forever
Aire
Air or love
Airi
Love, affection with jasmine or pear
Aisa
Life or alive; also related to the pomegranate tree.
Japanese baby names: common questions
What is the most popular Japanese baby name?
Amaya is the most popular Japanese girls' name (#180 in the US) and Kai the most popular Japanese boys' name (#93), based on 2025 Social Security Administration data.
How common are Japanese baby names in the US?
Japanese is the #20 most common origin of the 24 we track. 27 names in the 2025 top 1,000 have Japanese roots, given to 17,849 babies — 0.7% of those receiving a top-1,000 name. A name can have more than one origin, so these overlap with other traditions.
Which Japanese names are getting more popular?
Koda, Mina, Aya, Hana are all in the top 1,000 and climbing in national popularity.
What do Japanese names usually mean?
Japanese names most often carry themes of Nature (16 names), Strength (7 names), Virtue (5 names).