UK girl's name
Kaori
A feminine Japanese name meaning "fragrant" or "fragrance".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kaori is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kaori popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2010 to 2022. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Kaori. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kaori ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 4 girls were registered as Kaori.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kaori as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5669
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2021
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Kaori mean?
The name Kaori is a Japanese given name that has been in use for centuries. It is derived from the Japanese word "kaoru," which means "fragrant" or "aroma." The name is typically given to baby girls, and it is associated with beauty, grace, and elegance.
The earliest recorded use of the name Kaori dates back to the Heian period in Japan, which lasted from 794 to 1185 AD. During this time, the name was often used by members of the aristocracy and nobility. It is believed that the name was chosen to reflect the delicate and pleasing scents of flowers and incense that were popular among the upper classes of Japanese society.
One of the earliest known historical references to the name Kaori can be found in the Japanese literary classic "The Tale of Genji," written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. In this work, a character named Kaoru is mentioned, which is a variant spelling of the name Kaori.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Kaori. One of the earliest recorded examples is Kaori Fujiya (1866-1930), a Japanese painter and printmaker who was known for her innovative techniques and beautiful depictions of nature.
Another famous Kaori was Kaori Icho (1888-1967), a Japanese novelist and essayist who was active during the early 20th century. Her works often explored themes of feminism and social issues, and she was an influential figure in the Japanese literary world.
In the field of music, Kaori Muraji (1975-present) is a renowned Japanese singer and songwriter who has released numerous successful albums and has a devoted fan base both in Japan and internationally.
The name Kaori has also been associated with notable figures in Japanese athletics. Kaori Icho (1984-present) is a highly accomplished Japanese wrestler who has won multiple Olympic gold medals and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Lastly, Kaori Mitsushima (1975-present) is a Japanese actress who has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. She is known for her versatility and has received numerous awards and accolades for her performances.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kaori over time
The chart below shows babies named Kaori registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2010 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kaori, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kaori by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kaori was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5152 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5707 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Kaori
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Kaori: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kaori in the UK right now?
In 2022, Kaori was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kaori most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 4 babies registered as Kaori in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kaori?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "fragrant" or "fragrance".
How many people are called Kaori in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Kaori across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.