Otome
Meaningmaiden · Japanese
Otome is a Japanese girl name meaning “maiden”. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationOtome peaked in 1921, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryOtome first shows up in US birth records in 1921, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 104 years since.
US births per million girls, 1921–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Otome
Otome is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “maiden”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. 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 Otome
What does the name Otome mean?
Otome means “maiden” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Cora (“maiden”), Kora (“maiden”), Corinne (“maiden”) and Azra (“virgin, maiden”).
What is the origin of the name Otome?
Otome is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Otome a boy or girl name?
Otome is a girl name.
How popular is the name Otome?
Otome is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1921. It peaked at #5,099 in 1921, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Otome?
If you like Otome, you might also like Cora, Kora, Corinne and Azra.
What should I know before naming my baby Otome?
Otome is a Japanese girl name meaning “maiden”. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.