1108 Unique Japanese Baby Names With Their Meanings

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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.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Chika	Girl	Wisdom; Beautiful; Flower; God is greater
Chikafusa	Boy	The close one
Chikao	Boy	A clever and wise individual
Chiko	Boy	A pledge
Chimon	Boy	Gate of wisdom
Chisa	Unisex	Small; Precious
Chise	Unisex	A thousand blessings; A thousand storks
Chiyo	Girl	Thousand generations
Chiyoko	Girl	Child of a thousand generations
Chizue	Girl	Long life; Endurance; Durability

Cho	Girl	Butterfly
Choji	Boy	Butterfly; Second son
Chouko	Girl	Butterfly; an insect that feeds on nectar of flowers
Chuya	Girl	Pure and clear like water
Dai	Boy	A shining individual
Daichi	Boy	Great land; Great wisdom; First son
Daido	Boy	The greatest way possible
Daigo	Girl	Strength, greatness, enlightenment
Daiki	Boy	The noble one; filled with radiance and light
Daisuke	Boy	Great helper; Grand ritual; Large protector

Daken	Boy	Darkness; Revenge; Strength
Danno	Boy	Gathering; to put together
Danuja	Unisex	Knight; a ruler
Deidara	Unisex	Explosive artist
Denji	Boy	One with electromagnetic powers
Denki	Unisex	Electricity
Doi	Unisex	Mountain; Earth
Eevee	Unisex	Cute and versatile Pokémon
Eiji	Girl	Loved and independent being
Eijiro	Boy	Great second son

Eiko	Unisex	Child of splendor
Eito	Boy	A very prosperous person; they are kind hearted
Eizan	Unisex	Sharp and intelligent
Emari	Unisex	Blessed with grace
Emi	Girl	Beautiful picture
Emica	Girl	Charming; Blessed; Beautiful
Emiko	Girl	Beautiful child
Emiya	Unisex	Archer, Protector, Skillful
Emori	Unisex	Blessed with beauty
Ena	Girl	Grain; Peace

Enix	Unisex	Unique; Innovative; Forward-thinking
Enmei	Boy	Bright circle; Life sustaining
Enso	Unisex	Circle, Zen, Enlightenment
Escanor	Unisex	The shining one
Etsudo	Girl	Joy; Child
Evee	Unisex	Giver of life; To breathe
Fuji	Girl	Prosperous objective or flourishing opinion
Fuka	Unisex	Breeze or fusion
Fumi	Unisex	Literature; History
Fumihiro	Boy	Extensive condemnation

Fumiko	Girl	Academic; Intellectual
Gaara	Boy	Self-loving one
Geisha	Boy	Japanese traditional entertainer
Gen	Girl	The lady of the congregation
Genkei	Boy	The one who deserves honor and integrity
Giichi	Boy	One rule; The righteous one
Gin	Boy	Silver
Gina	Girl	Queen; Maiden
Ginjiro	Boy	Good silver
Gion	Unisex	God is gracious

Goemon	Boy	Strong-willed; Courageous
Gohan	Girl	Masculine, Japanese, rice or meal
Goku	Boy	Awakened to emptiness
Goro	Boy	Enlightened son
Goten	Boy	Heavenly sky; Straight; Perfect
Gou	Boy	A person who is strong and powerful just like a mountain
Habiki	Boy	Echo; Sound
Hachi	Unisex	Eight; A bee or flowerpot
Hachirou	Boy	Eighth Son; A variant transcription is Hachiro
Haia	Girl	Nimble; Quick

Hajime	Unisex	Beginning; Start
Hakaku	Boy	White Crane
Haku	Boy	Eldest brother; Soul; White
Hana	Girl	Grace
Hanabi	Unisex	Fireworks, celebration, beauty
Hanae	Girl	Blossom; Flower; Blessing; Flavor
Hanako	Girl	Child of the flower; Flower girl
Hanami	Girl	Flower viewing; Flowery; Beauty
Hanaya	Unisex	Flower shop
Hane	Unisex	Feather; Wing

Hannya	Unisex	Angry, vengeful spirit
Hansuke	Boy	A very helpful friend
Hanya	Unisex	Graceful queen
Hanzo	Boy	Strong, noble warrior
Haru	Boy	Spring season; Sunlight; Day
Harue	Unisex	Spring Bough; Sunshine
Haruhi	Girl	Spring Day; Blooming and flowering
Haruka	Unisex	Distant or far away
Haruki	Boy	Bright clear weather; Spring child
Haruko	Boy	Spring child

Harumi	Girl	Spring; Beauty; Clear weather
Haruna	Unisex	Joyful or mountain of happiness
Haruto	Boy	Spring person; Sunny person; Distant city
Hatsuko	Girl	Firstborn child
Hatsumi	Unisex	First beauty
Hatsumomo	Girl	Firstborn peach
Haya	Girl	Hurry; Come quickly
Hayami	Unisex	Mountain beauty
Hayate	Boy	Sudden; Sound of the wind
Hayato	Boy	Speedy, swift, or fast

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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

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