Sakura

Pronunciation: [ s-ak-OOR-ah ]

Girl Name #2,984 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

Japan's most beloved symbol of beauty and renewal

Japanese East Asian American

Unique Elegant Earthy Whimsical Spiritual

Meaning & Origin

"cherry tree flower"

Origin: Japanese

Language: Japanese

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.

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

Famous People Named Sakura

Sakura Miyawaki

Musician

1998

South Korean-Japanese K-pop idol, member of LE SSERAFIM and former member of HKT48 and IZ*ONE

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

Sakura Kinomoto Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Cardcaptor Sakura (1998), a beloved magical girl anime series by CLAMP

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

Pairs Well With

Sakura Hana Sakura Mei Sakura Yuki Sakura Aoi Sakura Rin Sakura Nao

Sibling Names

Hana Yuki Aoi Ren Kenji Sota

Similar Names

Sarah Era Ara Lara Mara Dara Kara Zara

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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.