"beautiful fragrance"
Origin: Japanese (美香 mi + ka)
Language: Japanese
Mika
Pronunciation: [ m-EEK-uh ]
Does Mika flow with your last name?
Three cultures, one perfect name — beautiful in any language
Japanese
Scandinavian
Finnish
American
Modern
Minimalist
Gentle
Elegant
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mika
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Mika
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"who is like God"
Origin: Hebrew (Mikha-el via Finnish Mika)
Language: Finnish
"beautiful excellent one"
Origin: Japanese (美佳)
Language: Japanese
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mika
See all →What the Mika report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mika 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 Mika
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mika head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Mika 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 Mika
Mika is a multilingual name with beautiful origins across several cultures. In Japanese, Mika (美香 or 美佳) combines 'mi' (美, beautiful) with 'ka' (香, fragrance/perfume or 佳, good/excellent), giving it meanings like 'beautiful fragrance' or 'beautiful one.' In Finnish and Scandinavian cultures, Mika is traditionally a masculine name — the Finnish form of Michael, from Hebrew 'Mikha-el' meaning 'who is like God.' In American usage, it has become a soft, cross-cultural feminine name that transcends any single tradition.
Mika entered broader Western consciousness partly through the Lebanese-British singer Mika (born Michael Holbrook Penniman) who had international hits in the late 2000s. As a girl's name, Mika has risen in the US since the 2010s, beloved for its global versatility and minimalist beauty.
In Japan, Mika is a popular feminine given name with elegant kanji combinations. In Nordic countries it's traditionally masculine. This cross-gender, cross-cultural fluidity makes it especially appealing to multicultural families or those seeking a name that travels well internationally.
Historical Record
Mika first appeared in US Social Security records in 1954.
Over 6,621 babies have been named Mika in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mika is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,543 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Japan, 美香 (Mika meaning 'beautiful fragrance') is among the top 50 girl names, with multiple kanji combinations possible
- The singer Mika (born in Beirut to a Lebanese-American father and Syrian-Lebanese mother) speaks five languages and his name spans cultures
- In Finnish, Mika is traditionally a boy's name — one of the most popular male names of the late 20th century — creating interesting cross-cultural dynamics
Mika in Other Languages
Arabic
ميكا
Hebrew
מִיכָה (Micah)
Korean
미카
Finnish
Mika (masculine form)
Japanese
美香 / 美佳
Popularity Over Time
#1,543
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mika
M
Mika
Musician
1983
Lebanese-British pop singer known for 'Grace Kelly,' 'Lollipop,' and 'Happy Ending' — his androgynous pop style brought ...
Lebanese-British pop singer known for 'Grace Kelly,' 'Lollipop,' and 'Happy Ending' — his androgynous pop style brought the name international recognition
M
Mika Brzezinski
Other
1967
American journalist and MSNBC Morning Joe co-host, daughter of former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,543
- Total SSA Count
- 138
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese Scandinavian Finnish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mi
Mimi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mika
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mika fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Mika is also used as a boy name, ranked #2878.
View Mika as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Mika →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 Mika with...
Same Origin Names (Japanese)
See all Japanese names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mika
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mika and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mika 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 →
Ela
Girl
Turkish origin
"hazel, olive color"
#1,725 in US
Nashly
Girl
Old English (compound) origin
"at the ash tree (from Nash + lee/ley)"
#1,453 in US
Abbie
Girl
Hebrew 'Av + gayil' origin
"my father is joy"
#1,620 in US
Ciara
Girl
Old Irish origin
"black, dark"
#1,365 in US
Asia
Girl
Greek/Assyrian origin
"east, sunrise"
#1,695 in US
Karlee
Girl
Germanic origin
"free woman"
#1,701 in US
Adalia
Girl
Germanic origin
"noble kind"
#1,595 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mika's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mika
What does the name Mika mean?
"beautiful fragrance" (from Japanese (美香 mi + ka)). "who is like God" (from Hebrew (Mikha-el via Finnish Mika)). "beautiful excellent one" (from Japanese (美佳)). Mika is a multilingual name with beautiful origins across several cultures. In Japanese, Mika (美香 or 美佳) combines 'mi' (美, beautiful) with 'ka' (香, fragrance/perfume or 佳, good/excellent), giving it meanings like 'beautiful fragrance' or 'beautiful one.' In Finnish and Scandinavian cultures, Mika is traditionally a masculine name — the Finnish form of Michael, from Hebrew 'Mikha-el' meaning 'who is like God.' In American usage, it has become a soft, cross-cultural feminine name that transcends any single tradition.
What is the origin of the name Mika?
Mika has Japanese (美香 mi + ka), Hebrew (Mikha-el via Finnish Mika), Japanese (美佳), Japanese, Scandinavian, Finnish, and American origins. In Japanese (美香 mi + ka), it means "beautiful fragrance". In Hebrew (Mikha-el via Finnish Mika), it means "who is like God". In Japanese (美佳), it means "beautiful excellent one".
Is Mika a boy or girl name?
Mika is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1543. As a boy name, it is ranked #2878. Mika is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mika?
Mika is pronounced m-EEK-uh.
How popular is the name Mika?
Mika is currently ranked #1543 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mika?
Common nicknames for Mika include Mimi.
What are good middle names for Mika?
Popular middle name pairings include Mika Rose, Mika Lynn, Mika Jade, Mika Skye, Mika Elle, and Mika Rae.
What are good sibling names for Mika?
Names that pair well with Mika as siblings include Kai, Suki, Ren, Hana, Niko, and Aiko.
How many syllables does Mika have?
Mika has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mika a common or rare name?
Mika is an uncommon name, ranked #1543 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Mika?
About the Name Mika
Mika is a girl name with Japanese, Scandinavian, Finnish, and American origins . The name means "beautiful fragrance" in Japanese (美香 mi + ka) .
Is Mika a boy or girl name? Mika is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,543 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,878. Mika is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mika is currently ranked #1,543 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mika has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EEK-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mika include Mi and Mimi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mika include Mikayla, Mikaela, Mikah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Japanese (美香 mi + ka) Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mika
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