Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kaori
GirlJapanese· “fragrance”
- Meaning
- fragrance
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- kah-OH-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,970
- US babies 2025
- 98
- Best rank
- #1,902 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Kaori
Kaori is a Japanese name that means “fragrance”.
Kaori is a Japanese name meaning "fragrance" or "scent." It is often written with a single kanji for fragrance, or in hiragana, though parents can also combine other characters that give different meanings. It is widely used in Japan and has long been a familiar choice there. It is said kah-OH-ree, with the stress on the second syllable. Related Japanese names include Kaoru, which shares the same root, and Kaho. For families outside Japan, it is easy to spell, and its meaning translates simply and pleasantly.
Other spellings with the same sound: Corey, Cory, Kory, Korey, Corrie, Corry, Korry.
Popularity over time
Kaori first appears in US Social Security records in 1969. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,902 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 106 babies. In 2025, 98 babies were named Kaori, and it ranked #1,970 nationally. That is 277% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #7,790 in 2000, #3,779 in 2010, and #1,970 in 2025. Of the 1,409 US girls named Kaori since records began, 37% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 345 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adora, Lovely, Bracha, Sury, and Sinai.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Kaori ranked highest in Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | #646 | 7 |
| Georgia | #884 | 11 |
| Florida | #1493 | 9 |
| Pennsylvania | #1506 | 5 |
| New York | #1742 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Kaori over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Kaori is usually pronounced kah-OH-ree, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-ri”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Corey, Cory, Kory, and Korey.
Middle names for Kaori
A few middle names that flow with Kaori: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kaori
Similar names
Kairi Girl
KY-ree
“uncertain; Japanese name with varied meanings” · Japanese
#1,041
Yuri Unisex
YOOR-ee
“Russian form of George; Japanese lily” · Russian
#1,533
Nori Girl
NOR-ee
“several Japanese meanings” · Japanese
#1,196
Suri Girl
SOO-ree
“often said princess or red rose” · Hebrew
#1,940
Kapri Girl
KAP-ree
“variant of Capri, the Italian island” · Italian
#1,506
Ari Unisex
AH-ree
“lion; also eagle” · Hebrew
#393
Zuri Girl
ZOO-ree
“good, beautiful” · Swahili
#329
Tori Girl
TOR-ee
“short for Victoria; victory” · Latin
#1,337
Kaya Girl
KY-uh
“rock (Turkish); several other sources” · Turkish
#1,133
Capri Girl
kuh-PREE
“from the Italian island of Capri” · Italian
#547
Mika Girl
MEE-kuh
“varies by language” · Japanese
#1,641
Kari Girl
KAR-ee
“Norwegian form of Katherine” · Norwegian
#2,087
Lists that include Kaori
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kaori mean?
Kaori is a Japanese name that means “fragrance”.
What is the origin of the name Kaori?
Kaori has Japanese roots. Kaori is a Japanese name meaning "fragrance" or "scent." It is often written with a single kanji for fragrance, or in hiragana, though parents can also combine other characters that give different meanings.
Is Kaori a popular name?
Not especially. Kaori ranked #1,970 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kaori a boy or girl name?
Kaori is mainly a girl's name. About 95% of US babies named Kaori over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Kaori?
Kaori is usually pronounced kah-OH-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings