Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Midori
GirlJapanese· “green”
- Meaning
- green
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- mih-DOR-ee
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #1,625 (1923)
- Peak year
- 1988
Meaning and origin of Midori
Midori is a Japanese name that means “green”.
Midori is a Japanese word and name meaning green, often used for the fresh green of new leaves. It can be written with the single kanji for green or in hiragana, and other spellings with different characters also exist. The name is associated with the violinist Midori Goto, who performs under her given name, and with the figure skater Midori Ito. In Japanese the syllables have fairly even stress, mee-doh-ree, while in the US mih-DOR-ee is usual. The name is gentle and fresh and connects naturally to the color theme.
Popularity over time
Midori first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,625 in 1923, and the most babies received it in 1988, when 33 were named Midori. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #2,545 in 1920, #7,182 in 1980, #4,926 in 2000, and #5,904 in 2010. Of the 1,224 US girls named Midori since records began, 21% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 255 babies. Since 2010, 230 more have been named Midori.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Terria, Zoila, Darah, Katharyn, and Carolanne.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Midori is usually pronounced mih-DOR-ee, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ri”.
Middle names for Midori
A few middle names that flow with Midori: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Midori
Similar names
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kah-OH-ree
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Lists that include Midori
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Midori mean?
Midori is a Japanese name that means “green”.
What is the origin of the name Midori?
Midori has Japanese roots. Midori is a Japanese word and name meaning green, often used for the fresh green of new leaves.
Is Midori a popular name?
No. Midori was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Midori a boy or girl name?
Midori is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Midori?
Midori is usually pronounced mih-DOR-ee. 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