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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Sakura

Sakura

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAH-koo-rah /ˈsɑː.kʊ.rɑː/High

Meaning: Cherry blossom (摜); in Japanese culture a universal symbol of beauty, renewal, and impermanenceHigh

In 30 seconds: Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese, evoking the country's most iconic springtime image β€” delicate pink flowers that bloom briefly and brilliantly before falling.
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Origin HighJapanese
MeaningCherry blossom (摜); in Japanese culture a universal symbol of beauty, renewal, and impermanence
U.S. rank (2025)#2925 β†— Rising
2025 U.S. births58 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2012
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 1,783

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 201219702025

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

Sakura (摜) is the Japanese word for cherry blossom and has been a beloved given name in Japan for centuries. The cherry blossom is Japan's unofficial national flower and a profound cultural symbol: its brief, vivid bloom and quick fall represent the fleeting beauty of life, a concept central to Japanese aesthetics and Buddhist philosophy.

As a personal name, Sakura has been popular in Japan throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. It gained international recognition through anime and manga β€” most notably Cardcaptor Sakura (1996) and the character Sakura Haruno in Naruto β€” introducing it to Western audiences. It is now used by Japanese diaspora families and name enthusiasts worldwide.

Did you know? The annual custom of viewing cherry blossoms, called hanami (flower viewing), has been practiced in Japan for over 1,000 years and is tied to the Buddhist concept of mono no aware β€” the poignant beauty of impermanence.
Overall data confidence 96%
Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan β€” Cherry blossom symbolism and cultural significanceBehind the Name – Sakura β€” Japanese name etymology and usage

Variations

Sakurako

Nicknames

SakuKura

Famous Bearers

  • β˜…Sakura Miyawaki (1998–present)
    Japanese singer and member of the South Korean girl group LE SSERAFIM, formerly of HKT48 and Iz*One.

If you like Sakura…

Hanaβ€” Japanese girl name meaning flower, same nature theme
Aikoβ€” beloved Japanese girl name with a soft, gentle sound
Meiβ€” short East Asian girl name meaning beautiful
Soraβ€” another Japanese name
Saoriβ€” a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Sakura

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sakura mean?

Sakura means 'cherry blossom' in Japanese and symbolizes beauty, renewal, and the fleeting nature of life.

How do you pronounce Sakura?

Sakura is pronounced SAH-koo-rah (/ˈsɑː.kʊ.rɑː/), with stress on the first syllable.

Is Sakura a boy or girl name?

Sakura is a girl name in Japanese culture and is used almost exclusively for girls worldwide.

How popular is Sakura?

Sakura is very popular in Japan and has gained international recognition through anime and manga, growing in usage outside Japan.

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