What does Sakura mean?
Sakura means “cherry blossom,” Japan’s emblematic spring flower; other kanji give other senses.
What does Mei mean?
Mei is written with kanji meaning “bright” or “sprout,” among others.
Sakura vs Mei
Which is more popular?
Mei is more popular than Sakura today: about 117 US babies were given the name Mei in 2025, compared with 58 named Sakura.
| Sakura | Mei | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Cherry blossom | Bright; sprout |
| Origin | Japanese | Japanese |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | sah-KOO-rah | MAY |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1970 | 1947 |
| Peak year | 2012 (87) | 2025 (117) |
| In 2025 | 58 | 117 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Sakura
Mei
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Sakura | Mei |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 322 | 483 |
| 2010s | 702 | 483 |
| 2000s | 595 | 385 |
| 1990s | 113 | 191 |
| 1980s | 41 | 136 |
| 1970s | 10 | 110 |
| 1960s | 0 | 37 |
| 1950s | 0 | 16 |
| 1940s | 0 | 18 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Sakura or Mei more popular?
Mei is more popular than Sakura today: about 117 US babies were given the name Mei in 2025, compared with 58 named Sakura.
What is the difference between Sakura and Mei?
Sakura means Cherry blossom (Japanese origin), while Mei means Bright; sprout (Japanese origin).
Which name is older, Sakura or Mei?
In US records, Sakura first appears in 1970 and Mei in 1947, so Mei has the longer recorded history.