Japanese baby names: Most popular boy and girl names in 2025

According to an annual baby name survey conducted by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance, Japan's most popular baby names for 2025 have shown some notable changes. This year brought different names to the top for girls and boys. Reflecting changes in values that parents want to instill in their offspring, influences of modernity mark the naming conventions. The Japanese names can be written in the most complex scripts with various readings; this article will only focus on the most commonly used name readings and meanings and does not delve into the linguistic information.

Sui (also read as Midori) headed the list of the most popular girls' name for the first time. It has been trending upwards during the last few years, reflecting the recent trend of liking grace combined with meaning. Sui summons images of beauty and good fortune, expressing the parents' wishes for a happy, graceful, and fulfilling life.

Following that would be Himari, which is a bright and vibrant name associated with sunshine and sunflowers. It is the embodiment of warmth, optimism, and positive energy, which makes it an instant hit among parents who want the expressiveness of joy and growth in their child's name. The third position is taken by the name Tsumugi, which is more traditional and closer to reality.

Among boys, Minato topped the list for the first time. The name has something to do with gathering; hence, it always denotes sociability and openness. Parents who named their child this would more often say they wanted to give birth to a child who could bind everyone together and forge good relationships.

Coming next in the ranking order are Iori in the second position and Yuito, which is also read as Yuto, in the third. Both names cast light on bonds, cooperation, and connection with others, which casts a lot of emphasis from parents on social harmony and teamwork.

For boys, the names that mean soaring or flying high remained the most popular for the fifth consecutive year. These names really reflect aspirations and ambitions with the hope that children will pursue their dreams freely. This also has been conveyed by globally admired sports figures.

Despite changes in rankings, some name readings stay strictly popular. Haruto continued its long-running streak as the most popular boys' name reading for the seventeenth consecutive year. Ema took the top place among girls, continuing the trend of soft, modern, and internationally recognizable names.