Asuka
A girl's name of Japanese origin with 109 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Japanese.
Asuka is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin, from the characters asu (tomorrow, the future) and ka (fragrance, flower), meaning 'tomorrow's fragrance' or 'flower of the future.'
Asuka was the name of an important historical period in Japan (538–710 CE), when Buddhism and art flourished. The fictional character Asuka Langley from Neon Genesis Evangelion made this name known internationally, giving it both historical depth and pop culture resonance.
EtymologyShow more
Asuka is built from 5 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Japanese naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Asuka creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Asuka has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1982.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 26 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 42 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 25 | — |
The Story of Asuka
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1993, Asuka is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Asuka are most likely born between 1983 and 2003.
How rare is Asuka?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Asuka is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1982, peaked in the 1990s with 42 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Asuka by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1982–2018)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | #15982 |
| 2017 | 6 | #14357 |
| 2011 | 5 | #17092 |
| 2009 | 11 | #10063 |
| 2005 | 10 | #10221 |
| 2000 | 5 | #15308 |
| 1999 | 5 | #14645 |
| 1998 | 7 | #11258 |
| 1997 | 6 | #12245 |
| 1993 | 13 | #6646 |
| 1991 | 6 | #11646 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13163 |
| 1989 | 6 | #10971 |
| 1988 | 5 | #11971 |
| 1986 | 7 | #8606 |
| 1982 | 7 | #8300 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asuka a boy's or girl's name?
When was Asuka most popular?
How popular is the name Asuka?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1982–2018