Yukari
Meaningconnection, affinity · Japanese
Yukari is a Japanese girl name meaning “connection, affinity”. 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?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Yukari has the name Ari hiding inside it.
- Word funYukari doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Yukari would score 13 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationYukari peaked in 1988, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Yukari you'd meet today is about 37 years old.
- HistoryYukari first shows up in US birth records in 1985, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 40 years since.
US births per million girls, 1985–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Yukari
Yukari is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “connection, affinity”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. 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 Yukari
What does the name Yukari mean?
Yukari means “connection, affinity” and comes from Japanese.
What is the origin of the name Yukari?
Yukari is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Yukari a boy or girl name?
Yukari is a girl name.
How popular is the name Yukari?
Yukari is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2019. It peaked at #7,111 in 1988, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What should I know before naming my baby Yukari?
Yukari is a Japanese girl name meaning “connection, affinity”. 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.