Kaoru is a Japanese given name for males and females.

Kaoru
Pronunciation(Ka-OH-roo)
GenderUnisex
Language(s)Japanese
Origin
Word/nameJapanese
MeaningFragrance
Other names
Variant form(s)Kaori
[1]

Name Meanings

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The name's meaning varies depending on its written form:

  • 薫/郁 — "fragrance", common for both males and females
  • 馨/香 — "fragrance", more common for females
  • かおる — purely phonetic form in hiragana; no inherent meaning
  • かをる — same as above, using を as an archaic substitute for お
  • カオル — phonetic form in katakana

As a distinctly unisex name, its usage in popular culture has risen in recent years to give the named character an air of androgyny. Such characters commonly have overt androgynous qualities as well.

A similar name, in terms of both pronunciation and meaning, is Kaori. It is used exclusively for females.

People

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Fictional characters

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All names (except for Fujiwara no Kaoru and Kamiya Kaoru) are in western naming order.

References

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See also

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