Midori
A girl's name of Japanese origin with 1,224 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A sweet, bright green, muskmelon-flavored liqueur made by Suntory.
Midori is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin meaning 'green' — specifically the fresh, vibrant green of new leaves and spring growth. In Japanese culture, green is associated with nature, renewal, and youthful energy, making Midori a name full of seasonal optimism.
In the West, Midori is perhaps best known as the stage name of the extraordinary Japanese-American violinist Midori Goto, who debuted at Carnegie Hall at age 14 and became one of the classical world's most celebrated performers. With over 1,200 recorded U.S. births, Midori has genuine presence in Japanese American communities — a name of natural beauty and artistic achievement.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Midori is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1915–2024). Its Japanese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Midori is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #8242), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Midori was #4900 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #8242, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 66 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 164 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 255 | — |
| 1990s | 255 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 98 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 59 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 43 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 16 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 10 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 50 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 168 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 40 | — |
The Story of Midori
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1988, Midori is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Midori are most likely born between 1978 and 1998.
How rare is Midori?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Midori — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1915, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 255 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Midori by the numbers
- Would fill 26 school buses
- Meeting one Midori per day would take 3.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(82 years, 1915–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #8242 |
| 2023 | 11 | #9404 |
| 2022 | 17 | #6896 |
| 2021 | 10 | #10074 |
| 2020 | 15 | #7455 |
| 2019 | 11 | #9532 |
| 2018 | 11 | #9607 |
| 2017 | 10 | #10474 |
| 2016 | 17 | #7122 |
| 2015 | 10 | #10633 |
| 2014 | 20 | #6366 |
| 2013 | 20 | #6405 |
| 2012 | 18 | #7064 |
| 2011 | 24 | #5669 |
| 2010 | 23 | #5905 |
| 2009 | 26 | #5489 |
| 2008 | 25 | #5696 |
| 2007 | 21 | #6479 |
| 2006 | 31 | #4651 |
| 2005 | 24 | #5383 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midori a boy's or girl's name?
When was Midori most popular?
How popular is the name Midori?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1915–2024