Midori
Meaninggreen · Japanese
Midori is a Japanese girl name meaning “green”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationMidori peaked in 1923, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryMidori first shows up in US birth records in 1915, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 110 years since.
US births per million girls, 1915–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Midori
Midori is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “green”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1920s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Midori
What does the name Midori mean?
Midori means “green” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Chloe (“green shoot”), Khloe (“green shoot”), Kloe (“green shoot”) and Oran (“little pale green one”).
What is the origin of the name Midori?
Midori is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Midori a boy or girl name?
Midori is a girl name.
How popular is the name Midori?
Midori is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #1,598 in 1923, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Midori?
If you like Midori, you might also like Chloe, Khloe, Kloe and Oran.
What should I know before naming my baby Midori?
Midori is a Japanese girl name meaning “green”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.