Japanese Names

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雲母
Kirara
きらら

Meaning

Mica sparkle

Writing

Kanji: 雲母  · Hiragana: きらら  · Romaji: Kirara

Gender

Female name

Rank

#130 most popular given name in Japan

Era group

This entry is placed in the modern group — names this site groups with the 20th and 21st centuries.

Famous in Anime / Pop Culture

Kirara Kurokawa

Element

This site files this name under nature.

Related Names

Where this page’s information comes from

  • Kanji, readings and meanings on this page come from this site’s own dataset, compiled 23 August 2026. They are not taken from an official register.
  • Ranking figures carry no published source and no reference date. Where our records disagreed, the number is withheld and the entry is marked under review.
  • The groupings on this site — era group, theme, and the cute / cool / traditional tags — are this site’s own grouping, not an official designation.
  • We have not yet checked these entries against an official list. Corrections are welcome through our Contact page and are checked before anything is changed.

A field left blank, or marked under review, means we have not yet confirmed it against a source — it does not mean the name lacks that attribute. Corrections are welcome through our Contact page.

Kirara is a feminine given name in Japanese meaning mica sparkle, written with kanji characters 雲母 where 雲 means cloud and 母 means mother, together representing the mineral mica. This name belongs to the nature element category and ranks 130th among modern Japanese female names. The name gained recognition partly through the anime character Kirara Kurokawa, which introduced it to international anime enthusiasts. The reference to mica, a shimmering mineral known for its reflective qualities, gives the name associations with light, brilliance, and natural beauty.

Kirara emerged as a popular choice during Japan's modern era as part of the broader trend toward creative and nature-inspired feminine names. The name developed increasing visibility through anime and manga appearances that introduced it to younger generations and international audiences. The unique kanji composition using characters for cloud and mother creates an unusual and memorable name that stands apart from more conventional nature-based choices. The name's usage has grown steadily as Japanese parents seek distinctive yet meaningful options for their daughters.

What distinguishes Kirara is its reference to mica, a less common but evocative natural element compared to typical flower or crystal-based names. The sparkle associated with mica gives the name a sense of luminosity and reflective beauty that appeals to contemporary naming sensibilities. The name's phonetic qualities feature repeated syllables that create a cheerful, memorable sound pattern. The kanji combination produces a name that is visually interesting and carries poetic implications beyond its literal mineral reference.

Kirara enjoys recognition primarily within modern Japanese society and among anime enthusiasts internationally. At rank 130, the name represents a moderately popular choice that appeals to parents seeking distinctive rather than conventional names. The anime character Kirara Kurokawa contributed to the name's visibility in international pop culture contexts. International audiences familiar with Japanese anime and manga recognize the name and appreciate its nature-based meaning and unique aesthetic qualities.