Anime girl names are pretty, unique and sometimes quirky. They’ll definitely make your child stand out! If you’re looking for female anime names, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the very best anime-inspired names for your little girl.
To start with though, I think it’s really important that we start by considering why anime names have become so popular and also the biggest points to think about before you pick out the perfect female anime names.
Why the hype with anime names?
In anime, names are far more than just labels for characters; they are a vital part of storytelling that can reveal much about a character’s personality, role, or destiny. The cultural significance of names in anime is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, where names are often chosen with great care to reflect the character’s essence and the themes of the story.
The Cultural Significance of anime names
In Japanese culture, names (often written in kanji) carry meanings that go beyond simple identification. Each kanji character has its own meaning, and the combination of characters used in a name can convey complex ideas. This allows anime creators to infuse names with symbolic significance. For example, the name “Sakura” (桜), which means “cherry blossom,” is often given to characters who embody beauty, ephemerality, or the idea of renewal, much like the cherry blossoms themselves.
Anime creators often select names that resonate with the character’s personality traits or their role in the story. For instance, in the anime Naruto, the character Hinata’s name (日向) can be translated to “towards the sun,” which reflects her shy, introverted nature slowly blossoming into confidence as she grows, much like a sunflower turning toward the sun.
The role of naming in anime storytelling
Names in anime can also hint at a character’s fate or destiny. In many series, the name of a character foreshadows their future or the path they will take. This technique is used to create a deeper connection between the character and their journey, as well as to provide subtle clues to the audience about what might unfold.
For example, in Fullmetal Alchemist, the protagonist Edward Elric’s last name “Elric” has no direct meaning in Japanese, but it is associated with historical and alchemical significance in Western traditions, aligning with the show’s themes of alchemy and the pursuit of knowledge.
The Influence of Japanese Culture on anime names
Japanese culture heavily influences anime names, especially through references to nature, virtues and mythology. Nature is a common theme, with many characters named after elements like the moon (Tsuki), ocean (Umi), or flowers (Hana). These names often reflect the character’s personality or abilities—like “Sora” (空), meaning “sky,” which might be used for a character who is free-spirited or adventurous.
Virtues and moral qualities are also frequently embedded in names. Names like “Makoto” (真), meaning “truth,” or “Yuki” (雪), meaning “snow” but often symbolizing purity, are examples of how names can embody the virtues a character represents.
Japanese mythology also plays a significant role in anime naming conventions. Characters might be named after gods, mythical creatures, or legendary heroes, which ties them to larger-than-life narratives or imbues them with a sense of destiny. For example, “Amaterasu,” the name of the sun goddess in Japanese mythology, might be used for a character with a radiant or powerful presence.
How to choose the best anime girl names for your child
I’ve written before on this blog about how to choose a baby name. For the purpose of this article though, I’d like to focus on the importance of research in choosing the best anime girl names for your baby.
Be aware of the cultural context in which the name is used. Some names may be very common in Japan but rare elsewhere, while others might be associated with certain historical or mythical figures. Understanding this context helps ensure that the name you choose aligns with the values or traits you wish to embody in your child.
Also, if the name is associated with a specific anime character, think about the qualities that character embodies. This can be particularly meaningful if the character represents virtues or qualities you admire. However, if the character has any negative traits or associations that might be undesirable.
Finally, pronunciation. Some Japanese names may have pronunciations that are challenging for non-Japanese speakers, so it’s important to choose a name that will be easy for others to say and spell.
160 The most beautiful anime girl names
- Aika – Love song (Japanese)
- Aiko – Child of love (Japanese)
- Akane – Deep red (Japanese)
- Akari – Light (Japanese)
- Amaya – Night rain (Japanese)
- Anzu – Apricot (Japanese)
- Asuka – Tomorrow, fragrance (Japanese)
- Ayame – Iris flower (Japanese)
- Azumi – Safe space, safe residence (Japanese)
- Chiharu – Thousand springs (Japanese)
- Chika – Scatter, flower (Japanese)
- Chiyo – Thousand generations (Japanese)
- Emi – Beautiful blessing (Japanese)
- Eri – Blessed prize (Japanese)
- Fumiko – Child of abundant beauty (Japanese)
- Hana – Flower (Japanese)
- Haru – Spring (Japanese)
- Haruka – Distant, remote (Japanese)
- Hikari – Light, radiance (Japanese)
- Hinata – Sunflower, facing the sun (Japanese)
- Hoshi – Star (Japanese)
- Hotaru – Firefly (Japanese)
- Ichika – One thousand flowers (Japanese)
- Izumi – Fountain, spring (Japanese)
- Kaede – Maple (Japanese)
- Kana – Powerful (Japanese)
- Kanna – Fruits, good fortune (Japanese)
- Kasumi – Mist (Japanese)
- Kikyo – Bellflower (Japanese)
- Koharu – Small sun (Japanese)
- Kumiko – Long-time beautiful child (Japanese)
- Mai – Dance, linen robe (Japanese)
- Makoto – Sincerity (Japanese)
- Mayumi – True bow, gentle (Japanese)
- Mei – Sprout (Japanese)
- Mika – Beautiful fragrance (Japanese)
- Miki – Beautiful princess (Japanese)
- Mio – Beautiful cherry blossom (Japanese)
- Misaki – Beautiful blossom (Japanese)
- Mitsuki – Beautiful moon (Japanese)
- Miyu – Gentle, superiority (Japanese)
- Nana – Seven (Japanese)
- Nanami – Seven seas (Japanese)
- Nao – Honest (Japanese)
- Naomi – Pleasant one (Hebrew)
- Natsuki – Summer hope (Japanese)
- Natsumi – Beautiful summer (Japanese)
- Nozomi – Hope (Japanese)
- Rei – Lovely, bell (Japanese)
- Rika – True fragrance (Japanese)
- Rin – Dignified (Japanese)
- Rina – Jasmine (Japanese)
- Rio – Village (Spanish)
- Rumi – Beauty, flow (Japanese)
- Saki – Blossom, hope (Japanese)
- Sakura – Cherry blossom (Japanese)
- Satsuki – Fifth month (Japanese)
- Sayuri – Small lily (Japanese)
- Shinobu – Endurance (Japanese)
- Shiori – Poem (Japanese)
- Shizuka – Quiet, calm (Japanese)
- Sora – Sky (Japanese)
- Suzume – Sparrow (Japanese)
- Takara – Treasure (Japanese)
- Tamiko – Child of many beauties (Japanese)
- Tomoe – Blessing (Japanese)
- Tsubaki – Camellia flower (Japanese)
- Tsukiko – Moon child (Japanese)
- Ume – Plum (Japanese)
- Umeko – Plum blossom child (Japanese)
- Yasuko – Child of peace (Japanese)
- Yoko – Positive child (Japanese)
- Yuki – Snow (Japanese)
- Yume – Dream (Japanese)
- Yumi – Reason, beauty (Japanese)
- Yuri – Lily (Japanese)
- Yuuka – Gentle flower (Japanese)
- Yuuna – Gentle (Japanese)
- Ami – Friend (Japanese)
- Asami – Morning beauty (Japanese)
- Aya – Colorful, bird (Japanese)
- Ayaka – Colorful flower (Japanese)
- Ayano – My color (Japanese)
- Chiaki – A thousand autumns (Japanese)
- Chinatsu – Thousand summers (Japanese)
- Erina – Blessing (Japanese)
- Hanae – Flower, blessing (Japanese)
- Hikaru – Radiance (Japanese)
- Jun – Obedient, pure (Japanese)
- Kaori – Fragrance (Japanese)
- Katsumi – Win over sea, beauty (Japanese)
- Kiyomi – Pure beauty (Japanese)
- Kohaku – Amber (Japanese)
- Kotone – Sound of a koto (Japanese)
- Madoka – Circle (Japanese)
- Maki – True hope (Japanese)
- Miku – Beautiful sky (Japanese)
- Mirai – Future (Japanese)
- Miyako – Night child (Japanese)
- Mizuki – Beautiful moon (Japanese)
- Momoka – Peach flower (Japanese)
- Nadeshiko – Flower (Japanese)
- Nanae – Sevenfold (Japanese)
- Narumi – Beautiful wave (Japanese)
- Reina – Queen (Spanish)
- Rika – True fragrance (Japanese)
- Sana – Brilliance (Japanese)
- Sayaka – Clear, brilliant (Japanese)
- Setsuko – Child of snow (Japanese)
- Shina – Virtue (Japanese)
- Sumire – Violet (Japanese)
- Suzume – Sparrow (Japanese)
- Tsubasa – Wings (Japanese)
- Yamato – Harmony (Japanese)
- Yuna – Gentle (Japanese)
- Aika – Love song (Japanese)
- Akemi – Bright beauty (Japanese)
- Chikako – Child of wisdom (Japanese)
- Emiko – Smiling child (Japanese)
- Hanako – Flower child (Japanese)
- Haruno – Spring field (Japanese)
- Himari – Sunlight (Japanese)
- Hoshiko – Star child (Japanese)
- Izumi – Fountain (Japanese)
- Koharu – Small sun (Japanese)
- Maho – True sail (Japanese)
- Manami – Love, beauty (Japanese)
- Mika – Beautiful fragrance (Japanese)
- Minako – Child of beauty (Japanese)
- Momoko – Peach child (Japanese)
- Nao – Honest (Japanese)
- Nanami – Seven seas (Japanese)
- Rei – Lovely (Japanese)
- Rika – True fragrance (Japanese)
- Riko – Truth (Japanese)
- Sakura – Cherry blossom (Japanese)
- Shinju – Pearl (Japanese)
- Sumiko – Child of clarity (Japanese)
- Tsuki – Moon (Japanese)
- Yasuko – Child of peace (Japanese)
- Yoko – Positive child (Japanese)
- Yui – Binding (Japanese)
- Yume – Dream (Japanese)
- Yuuki – Gentle hope (Japanese)
- Akira – Bright, clear (Japanese)
- Amane – Sound of heaven (Japanese)
- Aoi – Hollyhock (Japanese)
- Asuna – Tomorrow’s apple (Japanese)
- Ayu – Sweetfish (Japanese)
- Chitose – Eternal life (Japanese)
- Hatsune – First sound (Japanese)
- Hotaru – Firefly (Japanese)
- Kagami – Mirror (Japanese)
- Kasumi – Mist (Japanese)
- Koharu – Small sun (Japanese)
- Kotomi – Beautiful harp (Japanese)
- Kurumi – Walnut (Japanese)
- Miku – Beautiful sky (Japanese)
- Mirai – Future (Japanese)
- Misaki – Beautiful blossom (Japanese
If you’re considering an anime-inspired name for your child, take the time to do some research into the anime series, characters and cultural meanings behind these names. You may find that a name you love also carries a really meaningful connection to a character’s story or to Japanese traditions and values.
I’d love to hear from you! Do you have favorite female anime names or have you chosen an anime-inspired name for your child?
0
278
