Megumi
MEH-GOO-MEE
Megumi means blessing, grace, or divine favour in Japanese. The name is a profound expression of gratitude for the gift of a child, conveying that the child herself is a blessing to the family. It is one of the most heartfelt and warmly regarded Japanese girls' names, radiating deep thankfulness and a sense that the child carries benevolence within her very name.
At a glance
A deeply heartfelt Japanese girl's name meaning blessing or grace, expressing gratitude for the gift of a child and radiating warmth.
Etymology & History
Megumi derives from the verb megumu, meaning to bless, to show mercy, or to be gracious. The root has connections to the concept of divine benevolence in both Shinto and Buddhist thought. The name is written with the kanji for blessing or grace and has been in use as a personal name throughout the modern era. It follows a long Japanese tradition of choosing names that express gratitude or virtue.
Cultural Significance
The concept of megumi, divine grace or blessing, is central to both Shinto and Buddhist spiritual frameworks in Japan. The name carries a sense of spiritual weight without being overtly religious, expressing simply that the child is a cherished gift. Megumi was among the most popular girls' names in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s, and remains a respected, classic choice today. The international visibility of Megumi Hayashibara, whose voice work has shaped the sound of anime for decades, has ensured the name remains known far beyond Japan.
Famous people named Megumi
Megumi Hayashibara
Legendary Japanese voice actress and singer, considered one of the most influential voice actresses in the history of anime, known for roles including Rei Ayanami in Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Megumi Okina
Japanese actress known for her roles in horror films and television dramas, winner of multiple Japanese film awards.
Megumi Nakajima
Japanese singer and voice actress best known for voicing Ranka Lee in the anime series Macross Frontier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Megumi
Madoka
“Circle or perfection”
Madoka means circle, roundness, or perfection, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of completeness and harmony. Circles hold profound symbolic meaning in Zen Buddhism as representations of enlightenment, wholeness, and the infinite. The name is gender-neutral, though it has historically been used more often for girls, and suggests a person of balance, beauty, and inner completeness.
Manami
“Loving beauty”
Manami is a Japanese feminine name that combines kanji characters for love or affection with beauty, producing the meaning 'loving beauty' or 'beautiful love'. Some families use the kanji for 'sea' in place of the love character, adding 'sea beauty' as an alternative reading that brings oceanic depth and mystery to the name. The combination of warmth and elegance makes it a graceful choice in Japanese naming tradition.
Mizuki
“Beautiful moon”
Mizuki can mean beautiful moon, felicitous chronicle, or the mizuki dogwood tree, depending on the kanji selected. The moon-related reading, combining the kanji for water and moon, is particularly evocative, suggesting a luminous, reflective quality. The dogwood connection links the name to a graceful spring-flowering tree treasured in Japanese gardens. Mizuki is one of Japan's most consistently popular unisex names, admired for its poetic imagery and melodic sound.
Where you'll find Megumi
Megumi shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.