Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Hikari

Hikari

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Hikari

Pronounced hee-KAH-ree /hiˈkɑ.ri/Medium

Meaning: From Japanese hikari, 'light; radiance; a beam of light' (the meaning may shade with the kanji)Low

In 30 seconds: Light; radiance: Hikari is Japanese 'light'. Lyrical, bright, and warm (said 'hee-KAH-ree').
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowJapanese
MeaningFrom Japanese hikari, 'light; radiance; a beam of light' (the meaning may shade with the kanji)
U.S. rank (2024)#7024 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 269

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119932024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hikari comes from Japanese hikari, 'light; radiance; a beam of light' (the shade of meaning can vary with the kanji written). A lyrical, bright name, used for both sexes, here for girls (said 'hee-KAH-ree').

In the U.S. it appears in Japanese families. Rare, light-and-radiance at the root, and bright.

Did you know? Hikari means 'light; radiance; a beam of light' in Japanese — a lyrical, bright name, used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'hee-KAH-ree').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Hikari — Japanese etymology

Variations

HikaruHikariko

Nicknames

Hika

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hikari…

Akari— a fellow Japanese 'light' girls' name
Hinata— a sound-neighbor Japanese 'sunlight' name
Akira— another Japanese 'bright' name
Himari— shares Hikari's Japanese roots
Kairi— echoes that soft -ri sound

Explore names like Hikari

By themelightjapanese
By meaningLight

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hikari mean?

Hikari is Japanese for 'light; radiance; a beam of light' (the shade may vary with the kanji).

How do you pronounce Hikari?

It's said hee-KAH-ree /hiˈkɑ.ri/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Hikari a boy or girl name?

Hikari is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Hikari?

Hikari is a rare name in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia