114 Graceful Shinto Girl Names With Meanings
An array of classic spiritual names right from the native belief system of Japan.
Celebrating a new life's arrival is a happy and momentous occasion, full of good wishes, aspirations, and new opportunities. Shinto, a native faith and cultural custom of Japan, has strongly shaped traditions and values within Japanese society. Shinto baby girl names mirror the deep link between Japanese individuals, their environment, beliefs, and heritage.
Shinto, translating to 'way of the gods,' focuses on honoring kami, a divine spirit believed to inhabit the natural elements (1). This deep respect for nature forms the essence of Shinto names, inspiring a series of names that reflect the splendor and mystery of our surroundings. These names can bring to mind the outdoors, such as gentle flowers and calm scenes, or strong natural forces like water and fire.
After about a month of a girl's birth, a special event called Miyamairi is organized at a Shinto shrine. The parents and grandparents gather to thank the gods for the newborn's arrival. A Shinto priest stands between the group and the altar, followed by the recital of a special prayer, including holding and swinging the tamagushi (a form of Shinto offering). While praying, the priest mentions the baby's name, the parent’s names, where they live, and when the baby was born. After this, the parents and grandparents take turns bowing to the altar and carefully placing their tamagushi on it.
If you're drawn to the beauty and fascination of Japanese traditions like Shinto customs, you certainly will love these exquisite names from Japanese culture. As you explore the task of choosing a name for your baby girl, we offer you a wide array of Shinto names, each holding a special meaning and a hint of everlasting charm.
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Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
| Girl | A beautiful temple; Shrine; Palace; Beauty; Fruit; To watch; To care for; Night; Wished for child | |
| Unisex | Small; Night; Village | |
| Unisex | Peaceful; Calm; Comfortable | |
| Girl | Love of God; A medicinal plant; Blossom; Beautiful; Fragrance; Flower | |
| Unisex | Tying a garment; Excellent garment; Supportive | |
| Unisex | Tree town | |
| Boy | Traditional Japanese entertainer | |
| Unisex | Sound; Child; Rather; Radical; Sunday; Grace; | |
| Unisex | Existing sand; Noble-like | |
| Girl | Beautiful sea; Three; Fine sand; Happiness; Who is like God | |
| Girl | Love; Fondness; The moon; A princess; A noblewoman; Rise; ascent; Charm; Spell | |
| Girl | A beautiful cherry blossom | |
| Unisex | Phase child; Underworld child; Reading child | |
| Unisex | Heavenly garment; Imperial support; Heavenly sound; Beloved grace | |
| Girl | Love; Affection; Friend; Companion; Flower | |
| Unisex | Beautiful fortune; Deep snow; Beautiful reason for history; Happiness and good fortune | |
| Unisex | Wave | |
| Girl | Precious item; Precious one | |
| Unisex | Cause of a fragrant village | |
| Unisex | Lying-down; Reclining pose; Sleeping; Bed; Sofa; Couch; Clear; Bright; Clean; Vegetable; Greens; Sayan mountains; Million | |
| Unisex | June; Connection; Union; Young woman; Rain; Sunlight; Rainbow; Gentleness; Similar; Humanity | |
| Girl | People | |
| Unisex | Apricot beauty; Peaceful beauty; Month of fasting; Girls born during Ramadan | |
| Girl | The dearest friend; Companion; Earth mother; Three rice paddies | |
| Unisex | Gentle; Sunny; Peaceful | |
| Unisex | Apple tree; Poetry; Poem | |
| Girl | Beautiful child; Child with an archery bow | |
| Unisex | Dream; Vision; Abundant sprout; Light | |
| Unisex | Pupil of the eye | |
| Unisex | Three bays; August bays | |
| Unisex | Night; Defender of men | |
| Girl | Moon-loving; Sea moon; Dark areas of the moon | |
| Girl | A sweet person; Good-natured; A name of Goddess Laxmi; Fruit below; Three aspirations | |
| Girl | Beautiful night child | |
| Unisex | Color; Design | |
| Unisex | Beautiful village; Beautiful hometown | |
| Girl | Snow vegetables | |
| Girl | Shadow; Shade; Shelter; Protection; Sand; Second | |
| Girl | Small; Play; Beautiful | |
| Unisex | Beautiful Jade; Gem; Benefit | |
| Girl | Heaven-sent individual | |
| Girl | Peaceful child; Color; Design | |
| Girl | Of the light | |
| Unisex | Handball; Sky; Heaven | |
| Unisex | One love; The one beautiful; The one with dignity | |
| Girl | Dove; Daytime; Beautiful, Horse; Eighth sign of the zodiac, Flax | |
| Girl | Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love; Beautiful lotus | |
| Girl | Sea; Ocean; White jasmine; Love; Affection; Admirable; Peace; Female ruler; Mirror | |
| Unisex | Harmonious flower | |
| Unisex | Color leaf; Color feathers | |
| Unisex | Intellect; Chief | |
| Girl | Love; Fondness; The moon; A princess; A noblewoman; Rise; ascent; Charm; Spell | |
| Unisex | Cute | |
| Girl | Child of the sun; Child of the ocean; Child of the light | |
| Girl | Snow child; Happy child; Reason; Cause; Joy; Child | |
| Unisex | Plain of the trees; The beloved one | |
| Girl | Sunny; Sunny and bright place | |
| Girl | Brightness; Lustre; Brilliance; Radiance; Splendor; Thankful | |
| Unisex | Camellia flower | |
| Unisex | Gentle child; Superior child; Excellent child | |
| Girl | Tall; Honorable peregrine | |
| Boy | Beautiful | |
| Girl | Foreign; Rose | |
| Girl | Land; Continent; Foreign guardian | |
| Unisex | A bright person | |
| Girl | Tender love; Affectionate dream | |
| Girl | Visor; White snow | |
| Girl | Secretive; Universal plan; Beautiful peace; Apricot | |
| Girl | Long life; Endurance; Durability | |
| Girl | Butterfly; an insect that feeds on nectar of flowers | |
| Unisex | Wilderness; Happiness; Joy; Seizer | |
| Boy | Lotus wave | |
| Girl | A person's individual soul | |
| Girl | She who gives good battle counsel | |
| Girl | God is gracious | |
| Girl | May God give | |
| Girl | Pleased | |
| Girl | Peace; Harmony; Plan | |
| Girl | Group; Pair; Long time; Beauty; Fruit; Come; Not yet; Nine; Beauty; Nine seas | |
| Girl | Long time; Two; Fragrance | |
| Girl | Big stone; Divine; Excellent personality | |
| Unisex | Lovely child; Ceremonial child; Beautiful child | |
| Girl | She who is the youngest child in the family | |
| Girl | A Japanese dish of vinegared rice and raw fish; Strength; Drying; Hole of a reed or a cane | |
| Girl | Child who is an aristocrat | |
| Girl | Plunging waterfall | |
| Girl | A woman who is a beautiful gem or jewel | |
| Girl | Japanese name meaning valley | |
| Girl | A branch that is bending | |
| Unisex | To Definite; To Rule | |
| Girl | Silky, Spinning, Request, Beseech | |
| Boy | Big snake | |
| Unisex | Glorious child; Prosperous child | |
| Unisex | Windflower | |
| Unisex | Fireworks | |
| Unisex | Beginning beauty | |
| Unisex | Rare beauty | |
| Unisex | Fish; Lure; Entice; High-spirited; Lively; | |
| Unisex | Flower color | |
| Unisex | Ancestral shrine; Father's tomb; Offspring | |
Choosing a Shinto baby girl's name could be a graceful and meaningful decision rooted in the Shinto religion. These names hold special meanings and intriguing cultural contexts that spark interest. They often draw inspiration from nature, spirituality, and gods. If you're a parent who admires Shinto culture, opting for these names is a beautiful gesture to honor its rich heritage and customs. Whether you're attracted to their distinctiveness or significance, these names would undoubtedly bestow a positive influence upon your beloved daughter.
Infographic: Splendid Shinto Baby Girl Names
Shinto names hold strong connections to Japan's culture and spiritual customs. They carry special meanings and symbols reflecting family beliefs and hopes for their child. Capture the heart of Shinto beliefs by giving your precious child a name that will be remembered for generations. Find the ideal Shinto name for your daughter by scrolling through our infographic.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How are Shinto baby girl names chosen?
In Japanese culture, an O-Sichiya or naming ceremony is held approximately seven days after the baby’s birth. Usually girl names end with the suffix ‘ko,’ written as ‘子’ signifying ‘child.’ After a name has been selected, the father would hang the Meimeisho, a kind of scroll or poster, with the baby’s name written in Japanese calligraphy (2).
2. What is the significance of naming a Shinto baby girl after a particular season?
Japanese parents may choose to name their child after a season they were born in or create a name that is inspired by the season. Season-inspired names reveal the importance of seasons in Japanese culture.
3. Is it common to use honorifics in Shinto baby girl names?
Honorifics are a part of Japanese culture and are commonly used after a person’s name. The suffix “San” is usually used after a person’s name for both men and women. It is similar to “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” and “Ms.” Sometimes the title “Sama,” a formal version of San, is used. These titles show respect, deference, humility, or a level of formality depending on the social situation (3).
4. Can a Shinto baby girl’s name be based on a deity or kami?
Yes, feminine names like Inari (meaning carrying rise), Amaterasu (meaning shining over heaven), Benzaiten (a Japanese form of Goddess Saraswati), and Sakuya (meaning bloom or blossom) are based on the different deities or kamis of Japanese culture.
5. What are some traditional Shinto baby girl names?
Names like Sora, meaning ‘sky,’ Cho, which denotes ‘butterfly,’ and Subaru, which means ‘to unite,’ are considered traditional Shinto names for girls.
References
- Shinto
https://asiasociety.org/education/shinto - Kuralay Batkalova et al.; (2016); Rites of Passage in Japanese Traditional Culture.
https://papers.iafor.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/iicj2016/IICJ2016_26954.pdf - Japanese Culture.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-naming
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Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
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