"future"
Origin: Japanese 未来
Language: Japanese
Mirai
Does Mirai flow with your last name?
The Japanese word for future — pure hope in a name
Japanese
East Asian
American
Modern
Gentle
Elegant
Unique
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mirai
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Mirai
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"that which has not yet come"
Origin: Kanji 未 (not yet) + 来 (come)
Language: Japanese
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mirai
See all →What the Mirai report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mirai the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Mirai
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mirai head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Mirai actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mirai
Mirai (未来) is a Japanese word name meaning future. Written with the kanji characters for not yet (未) and to come (来), it literally means that which has not yet come — a poetic description of the future. The name gained international attention through the anime film Mirai (2018) by Mamoru Hosoda, and has been used in Japan as a name expressing hope and forward-looking optimism for generations.
Mirai gained significant global visibility after Mamoru Hosoda's acclaimed 2018 anime film of the same name was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. In Japan, it has been a steady choice for girls since the 1990s. Internationally, it appeals to anime fans and parents who appreciate Japanese minimalism.
In Japanese culture, naming a child Mirai is an act of hope — a declaration that the child embodies the promise of what is to come. The concept of looking forward (mae muki) is valued in Japanese philosophy, making Mirai a deeply culturally resonant choice.
Historical Record
Mirai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1999.
Over 403 babies have been named Mirai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mirai is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,760 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mirai (未来) literally translates to not yet come in Japanese
- The 2018 anime film Mirai by Mamoru Hosoda won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film
- Japanese figure skater Mirai Nagasu helped introduce the name to American audiences
Mirai in Other Languages
French
Miraï
Korean
미라이
Chinese
未来 (wèilái)
English
Mirai
Japanese
未来
Popularity Over Time
#4,760
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mirai
M
Mirai Nagasu
Athlete
1993
American figure skater, first American woman to land a triple axel at the Winter Olympics (2018)
M
Mirai (anime character) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Mamoru Hosoda's 2018 Oscar-nominated anime film Mirai, a young girl who meets her future self
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Aryia
Girl
"of the Aryan people"
#4,762
Jaisley
Girl
"modern invented name"
#4,680
Analicia
Girl
"noble"
#4,952
Javeah
Girl
"from Javea (place name)"
#4,894
Avionna
Girl
"bird-like, soaring one"
#4,790
Compare Mirai with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,760
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese East Asian American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mira
Miri
Rai
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mirai
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mirai fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Mirai →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Mirai with...
Same Origin Names (Japanese)
See all Japanese names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mirai
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mirai and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mirai sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Aryia
Girl
Persian origin
"of the Aryan people"
#4,762 in US
Jaisley
Girl
American origin
"modern invented name"
#4,680 in US
Analicia
Girl
Germanic via Alicia origin
"noble"
#4,952 in US
Javeah
Girl
Spanish origin
"from Javea (place name)"
#4,894 in US
Avionna
Girl
Latin (avis=bird) origin
"bird-like, soaring one"
#4,790 in US
Emerly
Girl
Germanic origin
"industrious, hardworking"
#4,875 in US
Fraida
Girl
Old High German origin
"peace, joy"
#4,625 in US
Lexington
Girl
Old English origin
"town of the new law"
#4,742 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mirai's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mirai
What does the name Mirai mean?
"future" (from Japanese 未来). "that which has not yet come" (from Kanji 未 (not yet) + 来 (come)). Mirai (未来) is a Japanese word name meaning future. Written with the kanji characters for not yet (未) and to come (来), it literally means that which has not yet come — a poetic description of the future. The name gained international attention through the anime film Mirai (2018) by Mamoru Hosoda, and has been used in Japan as a name expressing hope and forward-looking optimism for generations.
What is the origin of the name Mirai?
Mirai has Japanese 未来, Kanji 未 (not yet) + 来 (come), Japanese, East Asian, and American origins. In Japanese 未来, it means "future". In Kanji 未 (not yet) + 来 (come), it means "that which has not yet come".
Is Mirai a boy or girl name?
Mirai is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Mirai?
Mirai is currently ranked #4760 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mirai?
Common nicknames for Mirai include Mira, Miri, and Rai.
What are good middle names for Mirai?
Popular middle name pairings include Mirai Hana, Mirai Sakura, Mirai Yuki, Mirai Rose, Mirai Grace, Mirai Jade, and Mirai Elena.
What are good sibling names for Mirai?
Names that pair well with Mirai as siblings include Hana, Yuki, Akira, Haruki, Sora, Kai, and Riku.
How many syllables does Mirai have?
Mirai has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Mirai a common or rare name?
Mirai is an uncommon name, ranked #4760 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Mirai?
About the Name Mirai
Mirai is a girl name with Japanese, East Asian, and American origins . The name means "future" in Japanese 未来 .
Mirai is currently ranked #4,760 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mirai has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Mirai include Mira, Miri, and Rai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mirai include Mira, Miracle, Miranda, Miraya, Mirabel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Japanese 未来 Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mirai
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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