Kaori

Kaori is a Japanese name often connected with fragrance. The exact meaning depends on the characters chosen to write it, as the same spoken name can have more than one kanji form. A fragrance-related spelling gives it a sensory quality, drawing on scent rather than a visible object such as a flower or a tree.

When the name is written in Latin letters, the Japanese written meaning is no longer apparent. That makes the intended kanji an important part of the choice for families using the Japanese name. Kaori also has a distinct Japanese rhythm, which may differ from an English reader’s first attempt. Its appeal can come from both the sound and the particular written meaning selected by the family.