Hikari

Meaning of Hikari

Hikari is a Japanese name for girls meaning “light,” and it has found a warm place in Anglo-American nurseries, too. She conjures images of a sunrise spilling golden rays across a sleepy room, and parents often choose her for the promise of brightness she brings. Though still delightfully uncommon—she appeared just 16 times in the U.S. in 2024, hovering in the 900s on the popularity charts—her steady climb shows her enduring charm. Like a guiding star, Hikari suggests hope, clarity and a spark of joy that outshines more ordinary names. Easy enough for English speakers to pronounce (hih-KAR-ee), she bridges two cultures with graceful warmth. And with a name that literally means “light,” she’ll have no excuse for a dull moment (or a dark bedtime story).