Looking for some unique names for your soon-to-be bundle of joy? Here are some Japanese names along with their meanings for your reference.
Call it the land of the Geisha or the land of the Samurai, Japan has its influence on all parts of the world. The biggest influence of the Japanese culture on the world is the popularity of Japanese cuisine, especially Sushi. We all love sushi, in fact in America, sushi is so popular that there is now the California Maki-Zushi (rolled sushi).
If you loved the book Memoirs of a Geisha, and can’t live without sushi and have been known to host little Japanese tea ceremonies in your house, you have an ongoing love affair with Japan and all things Japanese.
Now that you have found out that you are pregnant, and want your child to be a part of your love towards Japanese culture and traditions, giving him/her a Japanese name will be a wonderful and unique idea. Here is a list of Japanese names, categorized according to sex and given with their meanings.
Japanese Names Index
- Female Names
- Male Names
- Unisex Names
Japanese Female Names
A
Ai – Love
Aiko – Little loved one
Airi – Beloved jasmine
Akahana – Red rose
Akane – Angry child
Akari – Light, Brightness
Amami – Beautiful sky
Amaya – Night rain
Amarante – Flower that never fades
Aneko – Older sister
Annag – Grace, Favor
Asami – Beautiful linen, Beauty
Ayaka – Fragrant, Colorful flower, Summer
Ayame – Iris
Azami – Word of heart, Thistle
Azusa – Catalpa
B
Botan – Peony, Thin ear of grain
Bachiko – Happy child
Bajinia – Bird-like
Beni – Plait of hair
Berubetto – Like velvet
Bijou – Bandit
Bjorn – Bind
Brock – Noble
C
Chiaki – A thousand autumns
Chie – Blessed with wisdom
Chiharu – A thousand spring times
Chikako – Friendly child, Child of a thousand joys
Chise – Little star, Torrent of wisdom
Chiya – A thousand nights
Chiyo – A thousand generations, Eternity
Chiyoe – Everlasting painting
Chizu – A thousand storks
Cho – Butterfly
Choko – Small child
Chouko – Butterfly child, Lucid child
E
Ei – Prosper
Eiko – Prosperous child
Emi – Blessed with beauty
Emiko – Child graced with beauty, Smiling child
Eriko – Child blessed with wisdom
Erina – From Ireland
Etsuko – Child of delight
Etsuyo – A generation of happiness
F
Fuji – Wealthy intention, Wisteria
Fujie – Wisteria branch
Fukiko – Joyous girl, Child of a joyous woman
Fukuko – Lucky child
Fukuyo – Lucky generation
Fumie – Historical painting
Fumiko – Literary, Scholar
Fumiyo – Well-read generation
Fusa – Helpful woman
Fuu – Wind
Fuuka – Maple smell
Fuyumi – Winter fruit
G
Gachi – Wise leaf
Gen – Spring
Gin – Silver
Ginko – Silvery
Glenda – Good luck
Gyn – Silver
H
Hamako – Child of the beach
Hana – Bud, Blossom
Hanaye – Flower blessing
Hanayo – World of flowers
Haruko – Spring child
Hide – Excellent
Hideko – Splendid child
Himawari – Sunflower
Hina – Sunshine
Hiroko – Broad-minded child
Hisae – Eternal blessing
Hisano – Open plain
Hisayo – Changed era
Hitomi – Beautiful virtue, Pupil of the eye
Hoshi – Star
Hoshimi – Starlight
Hotaru – Firefly
I
Ichiko – First child
Ikue – Fragrant picture
Ikuko – Raised child
Ima – Now, The present
Inari – Shrimp, Carrying rice
Ine – Rice plant
Irei – Get in favor
Isae – Blessed with merit
Isako – The sand child
Isoko – Beach, Shore child
Ito – Thread
Itsuko – Fifth child
J
Junko – Child of obedience
Jonquil – meaning not known
K
Kagami – Mirror
Kaida – Little Dragon
Kaiya – Forgiveness
Kaiyo – Forgiveness, Smart, Wise, Beautiful
Kamin – Joyful
Kaori – Strong
Kata – Worthy
Keiko – Blessing
Kimi – She who is without equal
Kioko – Meets world with happiness
Koemi – Little laugh
Kohana – Little flower
Koko – Stork
Koto – Harp
Kumiko – Braid
Kuniko – Child from the country
Kura – Treasure house
Kuri – Chestnut
Kyoko – Mirror
L
Leiko – Arrogant
Lataree – Wild fig, Bending branch
Lenora – Light
Liegh – Field or meadow
M
Machiko – Fortunate one
Maeko – Truthful child
Maemi – Honest child
Mai – Brightness
Maki – True record, Tree
Mariko – Circle
Masako – Justice
Megumi – Blessing
Michi – Righteous way
Michiko – Beauty, Wisdom
Midori – Green
Mieko – Already prosperous
Miki – Flower stalk
Mina – South
Miya – Sacred house
Miyo – Beautiful child
Miyoko – Beautiful child
Moeka – Bud flower
Momiji – Japanese maple tree
Mura – Village
Mutsuko – Intimate child
N
Nagisa – The seashore
Nami – Wave
Nana – Grace
Nanami – Seven seas
Nariko – Thunder
Nene – Peaceful, Tranquil
Nishi – West
Noa – Motion
Nobue – Faith and protection
Noemi – Beautiful, Pleasant
Nori – Law
Norie – Inlet of benevolence
Norika – Story, Perfume
Noriko – Order/Law child
Nozomi – Rare, Wish
O
Oka – Cherry blossom
Oki – Ocean-centered
Ouka – Cherry blossom
R
Raikou – Lightening
Reika – Lovely petal
Reiko – Courteous child
Reina – Pure, Clean
Rena – Reborn
Rie – Blessed with logic
Riko – Jasmine child
Rin – Cold, Severe, Dignified
Risa – Sand of the village
Riye – blessed with logic
Ruka – Bright blue flower
Rumi – Beautiful lapis lazuli
Ruri – Lapis lazuli
Ryoko – Refreshing child
S
Sachi – Girl child of bliss
Sachiyo – Happy generation
Sada – Pure one
Saeko – Serene child
Sai – Paint
Sakae – Prosperity
Sakura – Cherry blossom
Sanae – Rice seedlings
Sato – Wise
Setsu – Node, Verse
Shika – Excellent intention
Shino – Of faith
Shizu – Quiet
Sonoko – Garden child
Sugi – Cedar
Sukey – From the name Susan
Suki – Beloved
Sumi – Necessarily beautiful
Suzuki – Bell tree
Suzume – Sparrow
T
Taeko – Child of many blessings
Taka – Dutiful, Obedient
Takara – Treasure
Takiko – Waterfall child
Tamaki – Ring
Tamiko – Most beautiful child
Teruko – Shining child
Terumi – Beautiful shine
Toki – Time of opportunity
Tomiko – Treasured child
Tomoe – Friend and blessing
Tora – Tiger
Toshi – Harvest
Tsubaki – Camellia
Tsubame – Swallow
Tsukiko – Moon child
Tsukina – Moon and greens
Tsuneko – Always child
Tukiyo – Moon generation
U
Uki – Mid-air hope
Umeko – Plum blossom child
Umiko – Child of the sea
Urara – Serene, Beautiful
Uta – Poem
Utako – Child of the song
W
Wakaba – Young leaf
Wakako – Child of harmonious song
Wakana – Harmonious music
Wattan – From the Homeland
Y
Yachi – Eight thousand
Yama – Mountain
Yayoi – Full life
Yo – Sunshine
Yoko – Positive child
Yori – Reliable
Yorie – Clothes and favor
Yoshe – Beauty
Yoshiko – Good child
Yoshino – Respectful, Good
Youka – Ocean smell
Yuina – Superior greens
Yuka – Fragrant
Yumi – Beautiful
Yuna – Good looks
Yurie – Grace of the lily
Yuzuki – Tender moon
Yuzuna – Citron and Greens
Japanese Male Names
A
Aito – Affection
Akatsuki – Dawn
Akifumi – Bright history
Akihito – Distinct person
Akimitsu – Autumn light
Akinobu – Autumn faith
Akio – Bright boy
Akira – Intelligent
Akiyo – White world
Aoki – Green tree
Arashi – Storm
Arata – New
Atsuo – Friendly man
Atsushi – Pure ambition
B
Benjirou – Son of two speeches
Bishamon – Help, sand and gate
Banzai – 10,000 years of life
Bigas – Badger
Birte – Beaver Stream
Blanchard – Black
C
Chi – Guardian angel
Chico – Young boy
Choukichi – Lasting luck
D
Daichi – Great wisdom
Daiki – Huge tree
Daisuku – Great help
E
Eiichi – Prosperous one
Eiji – Two protectors
Eiri – Crystal and village
Eita – Thick crystal
Etsuo – Joyous life
F
Fujitaka – Tall wisteria
Fumihiko – Well-read man
Fumihiro – Wide sentence
Fumitaka – History and filial piety
Fumito – Man of history
Fumiya – Field of history
Fusao – Wise man
Fuyuki – Snowy winter
G
Gakuto – Educated person
Genji – Two beginnings
Giichi – One rule; righteous one
Goro – Fifth son
Gorou – Enlightened son
H
Hajime – Beginning
Hansuke – Helpful friend
Harou – Waves
Haruki – Shining brightly
Haruko – First born
Haruto – Cleared one, Remote person
Hayao – Fast man
Hayate – Sudden
Hideaki – Excellent and bright
Hideharu – Flourishing autumn
Hidehisa – Superior era
Hidekazu – Excellent harmony
Hideki – Excellent trees
Hideyuki – Excellent happiness
Hiroaki – Abundant light
Hirohito – Abundant benevolence
Hiromasa – Wise and straightforward
Hironori – Tolerant rule
Hiroshi – Generous
Hisao – Life story
Hishashi – Always
Hisato – One with a long life
Hodaka – Tall ear of grain
Huyu – Winter
Hyosuke – Helpful soldier
Hyouta – Thick bag
I
Ichiro – First-born son
Ikki – One horseman
Ikuo – Fragrant man
Ikuya – Fragrant one
Iruka – Garment, Gem, Scent, Dolphin
Isamu – Bravery
Isao – Meritorious man
Isoroku – Fifty-six
Itsuki – Timber trees
Itsuo – Fifth male
Iwao – Rock
Izo – Ice; iron
J
Jakobe – Shrine families
Jiro – Second male
Jirou – Second male
Joji – Handover peace
K
Kaeomon – Joyful
Kaisho – Fly over the sea
Kaito – Ocean and sake dipper
Kakyou – Fragrant view
Kamavirya – Vigorous at will
Kamenosuke – Turtle’s helper
Kaname – Vital point
Kane – Spear
Katsumi – Victorious beauty
Katsunori – Win law
Kazuhiko – Peaceful boy
Kazuhisa – Harmonious era
Kazuhito – Benevolent one
Keigo – One’s respect
Keiji – Lead cautiously
Keitaro – Respectful plump son
Keizo – Blessed keep
Kenta – Healthy and plump
Kenzaburo – Healthy third son
Kenzo – Wise and three
Kimihiro – Ocean of benevolence
Kobe – Japanese city
Kobee – Shrine families
Kohei – Wide and flat
Koji – Abundance
Koki – Vast and strong
Koukai – Sail across the sea
Kuniyuki – Country of happiness
Kuuya – Expanding sky
M
Makoto – Sincere, Honest
Mamoru – Protect
Manabu – Study
Masahiro – Straightforward, Wise
Masao – Holy, Righteous
Masashi – Elegant director
Masato – True man
Matsu – Pine
Michio – Road of life
Mineo – Man of the summit
Minoru – Reality, Harvest
Mitsunobu – Light, Truth
Mitsuo – Shining man
Morio – Protector
N
Naoki – Honest tree
Naota – Thick honesty
Naoto – Truthful person
Naoyasu – Still peaceful
Naoyuki – Honesty, Happiness
Nariaki – Equal clarity
Natsuhiko – Summer boy
Natsuo – Summer life
Noriaki – Bright Law
Norio – Man of principles
Noritaka – Law and filial piety
Noriyuki – Law, Happiness
Nozomu – Desire
O
Oozora – Big sky
Osamu – Ruler
Ozora – Big sky
R
Raiden – Thunder and lightening
Reiji – Courteous child
Ren – Water lily
Renjiro – Second son of the lotus
Riichi – First advantage
Riichirou – Son of one logic
Rikiya – Strong one
Riku – Shore
Ringo – Apple
Ryo – Fact
Ryohei – Good and flat
Ryoji – Good reign
Ryoma – Dragon and horse
Ryosuke – Good help
Ryota – Refreshing and thick
Ryou – Fact
Ryouma – Dragon and horse
Ryu – Dragon
Ryuhei – Prosper and peaceful
Ryuu – Dragon
Ryuunosuke – Dragon shell
Ryuutarou – Son of the big dragon
Ryuuzou – Noble and three
Ryuzo – Noble
S
Saburo – Third son
Sachihiro – Broad happiness
Sachiho – happiness and ear of grain
Sachio – Auspicious boy
Sanjirou – Third reigning son
Satoru – Enlightenment
Seiichi – Sincere one
Seiji – Truthful rule
Seishirou – Son of the history of the star
Seito – Star and sake dipper
Seiya – Sincere one
Shigeo – Heavy male
Shigeru – Luxuriant
Shigeto – Luxuriant one
Shingo – My humility
Shinichi – One truth
Shinji – True ruler
Shiro – Samurai male
Shirou – Fourth son
Sho – Soar, Fly
Shogo – One’s ministry
Shouta – Heavy flight
Shuu – Discipline
Shuuichi – One lord
Shun – Speed; fine horse
Shuusuke – Sagacious help
Soji – General administrator
Sorata – Thick sky
Sotaro – Robust eldest son
Subaru – The Pleiades
Suguru – Eminent
Susumu – Progress
T
Tadaaki – Faithful light
Tadaharu – Loyal and clear
Tadahiro – Faithful ocean
Tadao – Loyal man
Tadashi – Correct
Taichi – Big one
Taiga – Big and gracious
Taimu – Big dream
Taiyo – Thick sunlight
Takahiro – Widespread nobility
Takashi – Praiseworthy
Takayoshi – High justice
Takeo – Warrior
Takuma – Open truth
Takuya – Eminent one
Tamasine – Twin
Taro – Plump son
Tatsuo – Sign of the dragon
Tatsuya – Accomplished one
Tenma – True heavens
Teru – Brilliant
Tetsu – Philosophy
Tobikuma – Flying cloud
Tomiichi – One who is wealthy
Tomohiro – Wise wisdom
Tooru – Transparent
Torao – Tiger’s tail
Toshi – Mirror image
Toshiharu – Genius peace
Toshihiro – Intelligent
Toshio – Sagacious man
Toya – Peach tree and arrow
Tsukasa – Director
Tsukiya – Moon
Tsutomu – Worker
Tsuyoshi – Strong
W
Wakaba – Young leaf
Wakako – Child of harmonious song
Wakana – Harmonious music
Wattan – From the Homeland
Y
Yasahiro – Tranquil and wise
Yasuhiro – Abundant honesty
Yasuo – Peaceful one
Yasushi – Peaceful, Honest
Yoga – Son and sprout
Yohei – Flat sea
Yokuto – Wing and sake dipper
Yoshi – Quiet
Yoshikazu – Good and harmonious
Yosuke – To give help
Yota – Thick sunshine
Yousuke – Ocean meditation
Yuga – To have buds
Yukio – Gets what he wants
Yukito – Traveler
Yuto – Tenderness
Yuudai – Slender
Yuuga – Tender river
Yuuji – Two males
Yuuya – Wealthy one
Yuya – A hundred nights
Yuzuru – Convey
Unisex Names
A
Aiko – Love child
Akira – Intelligent
Ami – My people
Ana – Grace, Favor
Anika – Grace, Favor
Anna – Grace, Favor
Aoi – The hollyhock plant, Blue-green colors
Aya – Design, Paint
Ayumu – Walk
E
Eito – Prosperous person
Emi – Blessed
Eri – My protector
Etsu – Good life
Euji – Wealthy
H
Hama – Ground leaf
Haru – Sunshine
Haruna – Springtime vegetable
Hibiki – Echo; sound
Hikaru – Light, Ray of light
Hinata – Sunny place, In the sun
Hiromi – Broadminded beauty
Hisoka – Secret
I
Irie – Favor
Isano – Help for you
Izumi – Fountain, Spring
J
Jin – Gold
Jougo – A funnel
Jouta – well-behaved
Jun – Truthful
Juri – Lily
K
Kaede – Maple
Kairi – Ocean village
Kana – Name of a demigod
Kaoru – Fragrant
Kazue – One blessing
Kazuho – One step
Kazumi – Beautiful harmony
Kazuye – One blessing
Kei – Joyful
Kaira – Dark
Kishi – Beach; seashore
M
Mana – Divine power
Mao – True center
Michi – Route
Mika – Beautiful smell
Miki – Beautiful story
Minori – Beautiful harbor
Mitsue – Branch of light
Mitsuho – Light and protection
Mitsuyo – Generation of light
N
Nami – Wave
Nao – Honest
Natsuki – Summer and hope
Ninja – Mercenary
O
Odori – “Bon Dance” – a festival of Japan
Ogima – Chief
Oki – Open sea
Ozara – Big sky
R
Ran – Rim; shield + wolf
Rei – Salute
Rina – Green from the village
Rio – River
Ritsuka – Good law
Rui – Gem life
S
Seiki – Star and beginning
Setsuna – Calm snow
Shigemi – Luxuriant beauty
Sora – Sky
T
Tama – Jewel
Tomo – Wisdom, Knowledge
Tomomi – Wisdom, Beauty
Tsubasa – Wings
Y
Yasu – Peaceful
Yo – Sunshine
Yoshiki – Perfumed life
Yoshimi – To rejoice in beauty
You – Sunshine
Yuki – Blessing snow
Yuri – Earth worker
Yuu – Gentle
Just like its language and culture, Japanese names are also unique and attractive. I hope this list has given you all that you need to christen the newborn in your life.
