1108 Japanese Baby Names With Meanings

A perfect blend of traditional and modern names, from Aki to Yuna!

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• Aug 25, 2023

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Japan, one of the most developed countries in Asia, not only has a long and rich history but also has a slew of adorable names to boot. If you are looking for Japanese baby names with meanings, you are spoilt for choice. Japanese baby names do not just embody ancient Japanese beliefs but also echo their artistic forms like gardening, haiku poetry, architecture, and noble lifestyles such as the Samurai Bushido Code. Some names also reflect the birth order. Taro, for instance, means ‘the first-born male’. Many names are also based on nature. Rio, meaning ‘one who is like a river,’ and Kiku, meaning ‘chrysanthemum,’ show the inextricable ties of the country with nature even despite futuristic advancements technologically. Moreover, names describing certain characteristics of the baby such as Makaira meaning ‘one who brings happiness,’ and Hideaki, meaning ‘excellent,’ are commonly used. Japanese names have also gained popularity in Western countries in recent years due to the growing popularity of anime and manga. Names like Mikasa and Akira are anime-based names that are slowly gaining popularity in the US (1). But whether you select a traditional Japanese name or a modern one, its meaning in Japanese is likely to be complex. That’s because one Japanese name can have a plethora of meanings. Almost every Japanese name can be written in different ways using kanji. The Katakana and Hiragana style of writing may also result in different meanings (2). Hence, a simple Japanese name like Aki could have diverse meanings such as ‘sparkle,’ ‘autumn,’ ‘bright,’ ‘clear,’ ‘morning sun,’ and ‘smart’ depending on the kanji used. Moreover, in Japan, only children or familiar people are usually called by their given names. All others are addressed using their titles like -san or -sama (3). Below is a list of Japanese baby names along with their meanings. Browse the tool to shortlist your most favorite names and create your baby name list.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Ahmya	Girl	Black rain; Higher ground
Ai	Girl	Love; Affection
Aia	Girl	One who is famous, Ruler of the house
Aika	Girl	Love song
Aiko	Girl	Little loved one
Aimi	Girl	Love beauty
Aina	Girl	Beautiful eyed woman
Ainu	Girl	Goddess of fertility; Human-like
Airi	Unisex	Colorful; Cheerful; Fresh
Airin	Unisex	Peaceful; Graceful; Beautiful

Aito	Boy	Sea; Ocean; Soar; Fly
Aiya	Unisex	Bird
Aizen	Unisex	Beloved; Affectionate
Ajin	Unisex	Gold; Precious
Akai	Unisex	Red
Akane	Girl	Red dye
Akari	Girl	Light; Brightness
Akashi	Unisex	Red bridge; Bright stone
Akatsuki	Unisex	Dawn; Daybreak
Akaya	Unisex	Vibrant; Fiery

Akeira	Unisex	Bright; Clear; Ideal
Akemi	Girl	Bright, beautiful, dawn
Akeno	Unisex	Bright, shining
Aki	Girl	Autumn; Clear
Akiara	Unisex	A bright person
Akie	Unisex	Graceful, intelligent, serene
Akihiro	Boy	Bright, intelligent, gracious
Akiko	Girl	Clear; Crystal; Autumn season
Akino	Unisex	Autumn field
Akio	Boy	Bright Man; Manly; Hero

Akira	Girl	Bright; Clear; Intelligent being
Akiro	Boy	Bright, intelligent, courageous
Akisha	Unisex	She who is intelligent
Akita	Unisex	Breed of bear-hunting dog from the mountainous regions of northern Japan
Akito	Unisex	Bright person; Autumn season
Akiya	Unisex	Bright; Autumn
Akoya	Unisex	Bright; Precious; Pure
Akuma	Unisex	Demon; Devil
Alexiel	Unisex	Graceful; Strong; Dvine
Amai	Unisex	Sweet

Amane	Unisex	Peaceful, serene, tranquil
Amaterasu	Unisex	Shining in heaven
Amaya	Girl	Heavenly valley; Elevated place; Mother capital
Ami	Boy	Lord of my people
Aneko	Girl	An older sister; Versatile and spontaneous
Anime	Unisex	Animation
Anki	Unisex	Graceful; Merciful
Anzu	Girl	Apricot
Aoi	Unisex	Hollyhock; Green; Blue
Aoki	Unisex	An evergreen blue tree

Arai	Unisex	Arai - Noble, strong, elegant
Arashi	Unisex	Storm; Tempest
Arata	Boy	Fresh; New
Arisa	Unisex	Beautiful future
Arisu	Girl	Righteous; Noble natured
Asa	Boy	Physician; Healer
Asada	Unisex	Essence of gratitude
Asahi	Boy	Morning sun
Asai	Unisex	Morning; Sunrise
Asami	Girl	Beautiful

Asas	Boy	Physician; A healer; A beautiful morning
Asuga	Girl	Swift like the wind
Asuka	Girl	Tomorrow; Fragrance
Asuma	Unisex	True guardian
Asumi	Unisex	Beautiful purity; Pure beauty
Asuna	Unisex	Light, bright, morning
Atari	Unisex	Japanese word for success or victory
Atsuko	Girl	Warm; Kind child
Atsushi	Boy	Industrious; Compassionate; Kind-hearted
Aya	Girl	Design; Colorful

Ayaka	Girl	Color; Flower
Ayako	Girl	Reliable, gentle, peaceful
Ayame	Girl	Iris; A flowering plant
Ayami	Unisex	Exquisite and graceful
Ayane	Girl	A colorful sound
Ayano	Unisex	Colorful, serene, beautiful
Ayato	Unisex	Versatile and determined
Ayeka	Girl	Quick and analytical mind
Ayumi	Girl	Walk; Step
Ayumu	Girl	One who has a dream and a vision

Ayuri	Unisex	Walker of beauty; My beautiful walk
Azai	Unisex	Strength
Azami	Unisex	Flower or thistle
Azumi	Unisex	Safe residence; Peaceful dwelling
Bachi	Unisex	Stroke; Hit
Bashira	Girl	Joyful; Predictor of Good News
Benjiro	Boy	Enjoys Peace
Bento	Unisex	Blessed; Blessing
Boruto	Boy	Bolt
Broly	Boy	Powerful; Fierce; Unstoppable

Bulma	Unisex	Intelligent and adventurous
Caisen	Unisex	Warrior; Strong; Victorious
Camie	Girl	Sweet, charming, and strong
Camry	Unisex	Crown
Chiaki	Girl	Sparkling light
Chibi	Boy	Short person or small Child
Chichi	Boy	Wisdom, intellect
Chidori	Unisex	A thousand birds
Chiharu	Unisex	Springs and clear skies
Chihiro	Girl	Thousand armspans

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Japanese names are growing in popularity due to their sweet sound and fresh appeal. Despite Japan showing tremendous technological advancements in recent years, their names remain rooted in their rich cultural heritage and values. From the simple Ai to the powerful Chikafusa, this list consists of a variety of Japanese baby names with their meanings to make it easier for you to pick one for your little one. These names map the entire country and come to you on a single page. Choose the best names for your baby from this list as they deserve nothing but the best.

Infographic: Amazing Japanese Baby Names For Boys And Girls

Japan has always been known for its rich cultural heritage. It is a country that takes both its past and its future seriously and makes sure both go hand-in-hand. From Akari to Nagi to Yuna, these names have diverse meanings and origins. Look at this infographic to know the most common Japanese baby names.

unique japanese baby names with meanings (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Japanese name means rare beauty?

Hayami is a Japanese name for girls that means rare beauty.

2. What Japanese name means sparkle?

Aki is a Japanese name that means sparkle and bright.

3. What Japanese girl name is lucky?

There are several Japanese names that mean lucky. Some of them are Kota, Yukito, Koki, and Sara.

4. How are Japanese names typically written and pronounced?

Japanese names are written in the kanji script, which consists of symbols that represent different words. These symbols also give rise to different pronunciations depending on the context of the name. In addition to this, some names might also be written in phonetic language, known as hiragana or katakana.

5. How have Japanese naming trends changed over time?

The naming trends of Japan have changed according to the period of time, surroundings, situation, and modernization. For example, before World War II, names such as kiyoshi (meaning innocence) and Masaru (meaning bravery). However, after the World War, people started to prefer names that mean happiness and new beginnings, such as Keiko (meaning grace) and Sachiki (meaning happiness).

6. How do Japanese naming traditions differ from other cultures?

In western culture, the first name is followed by the family name. However, in Japanese culture the family name comes first and then comes the first name of the person. But, in recent times, Japan has also started to put family names after the first name to keep up with modernization.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Popularity of name Akira.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
A Brief Exploration of the Development of the Japanese Writing System.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=honorscollege_anthro
Japanese Culture: Naming.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-naming

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.