小百合

Sayuri

girlJapanese

Sayuri is a girl name of Japanese origin, meaning “Small lily (in its common spelling)”.

MeaningSmall lily (in its common spelling)
GenderGirl
OriginJapanese
Written as小百合
Pronunciationsah-YOO-ree
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inJapan

Meaning and origin of Sayuri

Sayuri is most often written 小百合, 'small' plus 'lily', though like most Japanese names it can be written with other kanji or in hiragana (さゆり). The lily is admired in Japan as a symbol of purity. The name was popular in the mid-twentieth century; the actress Sayuri Yoshinaga is one well-known bearer. Western readers may also know it from the novel Memoirs of a Geisha.

Is Sayuri a religious name?

Sayuri is not a religious name; Japanese given names generally are not tied to Buddhism or Shinto. It is chosen for its sound and the meaning of its kanji.

How popular is Sayuri?

A familiar but somewhat old-fashioned girls' name in Japan.

Gifts with the name Sayuri

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Spellings and variants of Sayuri

Sayuli

Names similar to Sayuri

YuriSakuraSetsukoAyumi

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sayuri mean?

Sayuri means 'Small lily (in its common spelling)'. It is of Japanese origin.

Does Sayuri have a religious meaning?

Sayuri is not a religious name; Japanese given names generally are not tied to Buddhism or Shinto. It is chosen for its sound and the meaning of its kanji.

How do you pronounce Sayuri?

Sayuri is pronounced sah-YOO-ree.

Is Sayuri a boy or girl name?

Sayuri is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.