"cherry tree flower"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
Sakura
Pronunciation: [ s-ak-OOR-ah ]
Does Sakura flow with your last name?
Japan's most beloved symbol of beauty and renewal
Japanese
East Asian
American
Unique
Elegant
Earthy
Whimsical
Spiritual
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Sakura
Sakura (桜) is the Japanese word for cherry blossom, one of Japan's most beloved natural symbols. The name is written with the kanji character 桜 (sa-ku-ra), combining the meaning of the cherry tree's delicate spring bloom. Cherry blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese poetry and art for over a thousand years, symbolizing the transient, precious beauty of life.
Sakura is consistently one of the most popular given names for girls in Japan. Globally, it gained recognition through anime and manga, most notably through Sakura Haruno in 'Naruto' (2002) and Sakura Kinomoto in 'Cardcaptor Sakura' (1998). These beloved fictional characters introduced the name to international audiences.
Cherry blossom viewing (hanami) is one of Japan's most cherished traditions, held every spring when the blossoms briefly bloom. The sakura is Japan's unofficial national flower, representing renewal, beauty, and the poignant brevity of life — a concept central to the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of mono no aware.
Historical Record
Sakura first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 1,725 babies have been named Sakura in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Sakura is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,984 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Japan has over 600 varieties of cherry blossom trees, and sakura viewing (hanami) dates back to the 8th century Nara period
- The name Sakura entered the US top 1000 baby names for the first time in 2022, driven largely by anime popularity
Sakura in Other Languages
French
Sakura
Korean
사쿠라 (Sakura)
Chinese
樱花 (Yīnghuā)
English
Sakura
Japanese
桜/さくら
Popularity Over Time
#2,984
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Sakura
S
Sakura Miyawaki
Musician
1998
South Korean-Japanese K-pop idol, member of LE SSERAFIM and former member of HKT48 and IZ*ONE
S
Sakura Haruno Fictional
Other
Main female character in the Naruto manga and anime series (2002), a skilled ninja known for her medical abilities and i...
Main female character in the Naruto manga and anime series (2002), a skilled ninja known for her medical abilities and incredible strength
S
Sakura Kinomoto Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Cardcaptor Sakura (1998), a beloved magical girl anime series by CLAMP
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Compare Sakura with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,984
- Total SSA Count
- 55
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese East Asian American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Saku
Kura
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sakura
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Japanese)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sakura
What does the name Sakura mean?
"cherry tree flower" (from Japanese). Sakura (桜) is the Japanese word for cherry blossom, one of Japan's most beloved natural symbols. The name is written with the kanji character 桜 (sa-ku-ra), combining the meaning of the cherry tree's delicate spring bloom. Cherry blossoms have been celebrated in Japanese poetry and art for over a thousand years, symbolizing the transient, precious beauty of life.
What is the origin of the name Sakura?
Sakura has Japanese, East Asian, and American origins. In Japanese, it means "cherry tree flower".
Is Sakura a boy or girl name?
Sakura is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sakura?
Sakura is pronounced s-ak-OOR-ah.
How popular is the name Sakura?
Sakura is currently ranked #2984 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sakura?
Common nicknames for Sakura include Saku and Kura.
What are good middle names for Sakura?
Popular middle name pairings include Sakura Hana, Sakura Mei, Sakura Yuki, Sakura Aoi, Sakura Rin, and Sakura Nao.
What are good sibling names for Sakura?
Names that pair well with Sakura as siblings include Hana, Yuki, Aoi, Ren, Kenji, and Sota.
How many syllables does Sakura have?
Sakura has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Sakura a common or rare name?
Sakura is an uncommon name, ranked #2984 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Sakura
Sakura is a girl name with Japanese, East Asian, and American origins . The name means "cherry tree flower" in Japanese .
Sakura is currently ranked #2,984 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Sakura has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-ak-OOR-ah, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Sakura include Saku and Kura. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis