Maki

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAH-kee /ˈmɑː.ki/Medium

Meaning: A Japanese girls' name whose meaning shifts with the written characters — common readings include 'true hope,' 'genuine chronicle,' or 'true tree.' Romanized here in plain letters.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp Japanese name: Maki can mean 'true hope' or 'genuine chronicle,' by its characters (said 'MAH-kee'). Short and bright.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumJapanese

MeaningA Japanese girls' name whose meaning shifts with the written characters — common readings include 'true hope,' 'genuine chronicle,' or 'true tree.' Romanized here in plain letters.

U.S. rank (2024)#12915 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1992

Total births (all-time)≈ 211

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Maki is a Japanese given name whose sense shifts with its written characters, from 'true hope' to 'genuine chronicle.' Short and vowel-bright, it travels easily; we romanize it in plain letters (said 'MAH-kee').

It appears rarely for girls in the U.S., mostly in Japanese-heritage families. Rare, crisp, and bright.

Did you know? Maki is a Japanese girls' name whose meaning depends on the characters chosen — 'true hope,' 'genuine chronicle,' or 'true tree' among them. A short, clear name, romanized here in plain letters (said 'MAH-kee').

Overall data confidence 48%

References — Maki — Japanese; meaning varies by characters

Variations

MakieMakyMachi

Nicknames

MakKiki

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Maki…

Emi— a like short Japanese name

Yuki— a like vowel-bright Japanese name

Sana— a like soft, short choice

Riki— the same short feel

Suki— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Maki

By themeheritage short japanese bright

By meaningHope Truth

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Maki mean?

Maki is a Japanese name whose meaning depends on the characters — often 'true hope,' 'genuine chronicle,' or 'true tree.'

How do you pronounce Maki?

It's said MAH-kee /ˈmɑː.ki/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Maki a boy or girl name?

Maki is used here as a girl's name in Japanese.

How popular is Maki?

Maki is a rare name for girls in the U.S.