Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Sakura
GirlJapanese· “cherry blossom”
- Meaning
- cherry blossom
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- sah-KOO-rah
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,925
- US babies 2025
- 58
- Best rank
- #2,186 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2012
Meaning and origin of Sakura
Sakura is a Japanese name that means “cherry blossom”.
Sakura is the Japanese word for the cherry blossom, one of the most important symbols in Japanese culture. The brief, beautiful flowering of the cherry trees each spring is celebrated with hanami, flower viewing, and has long represented the fleeting nature of life. As a given name, Sakura is used for girls in Japan and has become known internationally, partly through characters in anime and manga. It is said sah-KOO-rah, with the syllables fairly even in Japanese. The name offers a clear floral meaning, a gentle sound and a direct link to Japanese tradition.
Popularity over time
Sakura first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,186 in 2012, the same year it reached its highest count of 87 babies. In 2025, 58 babies were named Sakura, and it ranked #2,925 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #7,979 in 1980, #5,281 in 2000, #2,380 in 2010, and #2,925 in 2025. Of the 1,783 US girls named Sakura since records began, 39% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 595 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jaziyah, Arrianna, Yocheved, Aleeya, and Harmonee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Sakura ranked highest in California and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2061 | 10 |
| Florida | #2108 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Sakura is usually pronounced sah-KOO-rah, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Sakura
A few middle names that flow with Sakura: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Sakura
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Lists that include Sakura
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sakura mean?
Sakura is a Japanese name that means “cherry blossom”.
What is the origin of the name Sakura?
Sakura has Japanese roots. Sakura is the Japanese word for the cherry blossom, one of the most important symbols in Japanese culture.
Is Sakura a popular name?
Not especially. Sakura ranked #2,925 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Sakura a boy or girl name?
Sakura is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Sakura?
Sakura is usually pronounced sah-KOO-rah. 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