114 Graceful Shinto Girl Names With Meanings

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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NameGenderMeaning
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Miya
Baby Girl Sign Girl A beautiful temple; Shrine; Palace; Beauty; Fruit; To watch; To care for; Night; Wished for child
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Sayori
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Small; Night; Village
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Neiko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Peaceful; Calm; Comfortable
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Mishika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love of God; A medicinal plant; Blossom; Beautiful; Fragrance; Flower
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Yui
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Tying a garment; Excellent garment; Supportive
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Kymora
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Tree town
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Geisha
Baby Boy Sign Boy Traditional Japanese entertainer
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Neeko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sound; Child; Rather; Radical; Sunday; Grace;
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Arisa
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Existing sand; Noble-like
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Misa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful sea; Three; Fine sand; Happiness; Who is like God
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Rukia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love; Fondness; The moon; A princess; A noblewoman; Rise; ascent; Charm; Spell
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Mio
Baby Girl Sign Girl A beautiful cherry blossom
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Yomii
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Phase child; Underworld child; Reading child
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Amei
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heavenly garment; Imperial support; Heavenly sound; Beloved grace
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Mayuka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love; Affection; Friend; Companion; Flower
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Miyuki
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful fortune; Deep snow; Beautiful reason for history; Happiness and good fortune
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Namine
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wave
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Takarra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious item; Precious one
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Yukari
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Cause of a fragrant village
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Sayana
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Lying-down; Reclining pose; Sleeping; Bed; Sofa; Couch; Clear; Bright; Clean; Vegetable; Greens; Sayan mountains; Million
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Yuni
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex June; Connection; Union; Young woman; Rain; Sunlight; Rainbow; Gentleness; Similar; Humanity
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Tamiqua
Baby Girl Sign Girl People
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Azumi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Apricot beauty; Peaceful beauty; Month of fasting; Girls born during Ramadan
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Mita
Baby Girl Sign Girl The dearest friend; Companion; Earth mother; Three rice paddies
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Himari
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gentle; Sunny; Peaceful
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Nau
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Apple tree; Poetry; Poem
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Yumiko
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful child; Child with an archery bow
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Yume
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Dream; Vision; Abundant sprout; Light
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Hitomi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Pupil of the eye
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Miura
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Three bays; August bays
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Yunalesca
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Night; Defender of men
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Lunamaria
Baby Girl Sign Girl Moon-loving; Sea moon; Dark areas of the moon
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Mishita
Baby Girl Sign Girl A sweet person; Good-natured; A name of Goddess Laxmi; Fruit below; Three aspirations
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Miyako
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful night child
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Ayano
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Color; Design
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Misato
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful village; Beautiful hometown
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Yukina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Snow vegetables
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Saaya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Shadow; Shade; Shelter; Protection; Sand; Second
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Sayumi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Small; Play; Beautiful
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Rinna
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful Jade; Gem; Benefit
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Jennet
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heaven-sent individual
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Ayako
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peaceful child; Color; Design
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Haleena
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the light
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Temari
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Handball; Sky; Heaven
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Ichika
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One love; The one beautiful; The one with dignity
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Mima
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dove; Daytime; Beautiful, Horse; Eighth sign of the zodiac, Flax
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Miren
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love; Beautiful lotus
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Miria
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea; Ocean; White jasmine; Love; Affection; Admirable; Peace; Female ruler; Mirror
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Honoka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Harmonious flower
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Iroha
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Color leaf; Color feathers
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Chisa
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Intellect; Chief
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Rukiya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love; Fondness; The moon; A princess; A noblewoman; Rise; ascent; Charm; Spell
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Kawaii
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Cute
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Yoko
Baby Girl Sign Girl Child of the sun; Child of the ocean; Child of the light
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Yukiko
Baby Girl Sign Girl Snow child; Happy child; Reason; Cause; Joy; Child
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Kisara
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Plain of the trees; The beloved one
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Hinano
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sunny; Sunny and bright place
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Sakira
Baby Girl Sign Girl Brightness; Lustre; Brilliance; Radiance; Splendor; Thankful
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Tsubaki
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Camellia flower
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Yuko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gentle child; Superior child; Excellent child
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Taka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tall; Honorable peregrine
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Arabi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beautiful
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Bara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Foreign; Rose
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Rikku
Baby Girl Sign Girl Land; Continent; Foreign guardian
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Akiara
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A bright person
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Ayuna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tender love; Affectionate dream
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Baiza
Baby Girl Sign Girl Visor; White snow
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Bian
Baby Girl Sign Girl Secretive; Universal plan; Beautiful peace; Apricot
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Chizue
Baby Girl Sign Girl Long life; Endurance; Durability
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Chouko
Baby Girl Sign Girl Butterfly; an insect that feeds on nectar of flowers
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Hara
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wilderness; Happiness; Joy; Seizer
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Haren
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lotus wave
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Hauba
Baby Girl Sign Girl A person's individual soul
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Hildeth
Baby Girl Sign Girl She who gives good battle counsel
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Janiett
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Josephin
Baby Girl Sign Girl May God give
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Joshita
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pleased
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Kiwa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace; Harmony; Plan
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Kumi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Group; Pair; Long time; Beauty; Fruit; Come; Not yet; Nine; Beauty; Nine seas
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Kunika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Long time; Two; Fragrance
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Oishi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Big stone; Divine; Excellent personality
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Reiko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Lovely child; Ceremonial child; Beautiful child
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Sueko
Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is the youngest child in the family
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Sushi
Baby Girl Sign Girl A Japanese dish of vinegared rice and raw fish; Strength; Drying; Hole of a reed or a cane
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Takako
Baby Girl Sign Girl Child who is an aristocrat
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Taki
Baby Girl Sign Girl Plunging waterfall
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Tamami
Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman who is a beautiful gem or jewel
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Taney
Baby Girl Sign Girl Japanese name meaning valley
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Taree
Baby Girl Sign Girl A branch that is bending
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Teshi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex To Definite; To Rule
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Tsumugi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Silky, Spinning, Request, Beseech
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Orochi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Big snake
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Eiko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Glorious child; Prosperous child
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Fuka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Windflower
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Hanabi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Fireworks
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Hatsumi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beginning beauty
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Hayami
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Rare beauty
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Izana
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Fish; Lure; Entice; High-spirited; Lively;
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Kaaya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Flower color
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Nezuko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Ancestral shrine; Father's tomb; Offspring
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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.

Shining Shinto Names For Your Baby Girl (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Shinto
    https://asiasociety.org/education/shinto
  2. Kuralay Batkalova et al.; (2016); Rites of Passage in Japanese Traditional Culture.
    https://papers.iafor.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/iicj2016/IICJ2016_26954.pdf
  3. Japanese Culture.
    https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-naming

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Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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