Japan, one of the most developed countries in Asia, does not just have a long and enchanting history. It also has a slew of adorable names to boot.
Japanese names do not just embody ancient Japanese beliefs, but also echo their artistic forms like gardening haiku poetry, architecture, and the noble lifestyles such as the Samurai Bushido Code. Some names also reflect the birth order. Taro, for instance, means ‘the first-born male’. But whether you select a traditional Japanese name or a modern one, its meaning in Japanese is a lot likely to be complex. That’s because one Japanese name can have a plethora of meanings.
Another important thing to note is that in Japan, a baby is given an informal name six days after the birth. When the child turns 16, he’s given a formal name, carried out in a proper naming ceremony.
Below, is MomJunction's list of hundreds of Japanese baby names along with their meanings. Browse the tool to shortlist your most favorite names and create your baby name list.
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Akari (あかり) | Light; Brightness | Girl | |||
Aoi (あおい) | Holly flower | Unisex | |||
Asahi (朝日) | Morning Sun | Boy | |||
Emica (エミカ) | this name means charming or blessed and beautiful. | Girl | |||
Hana | Arabic for "happiness," and Japanese for "flower," Korean for "One, First, Consistency," and Hawaiian for "work | Girl | |||
Haru (春) | Born In The Spring; Clear Up; Sun; Sunlight | Boy | |||
Haruto (ハルト) | Spring; Sunny; Clear Up Radiance; Sunshine; Sunlight | Boy | |||
Hinata (日向) | Japanese - Sunflower; Facing the sun; Sunny Place | Boy | |||
Hiroto (ヒロト) | Fly far; Big Flight | Boy | |||
Itsuki (五月) | Timber tree | Boy | |||
Kaito ( 怪盗) | Kaito means Sea, Ocean | Boy | |||
Kana (仮名) | Kana means The One who Has the Power, Powerful | Girl | |||
Kanna | One of many childhood names of Lord Krishna; A pet name of Lord Krishna | Boy | |||
Kei (けい) | Kei name means Square Jewel, Blessing, Wise | Unisex | |||
Koharu (こはる) | Koharu means Late Summer | Girl | |||
Kokoro (ココロ) | Heart, Mind, Emotions, Feelings | Girl | |||
Minato (港区) | Harbour or Port | Boy | |||
Mio (ミオ) | A beautiful cherry blossom, or a beautiful thread | Girl | |||
Niko | Conquest of the nation. | Boy | |||
Nozomi (のぞみ) | Reliable, dependable, trust worthy. | Girl | |||
Ren (レン) | The love of the lotus | Unisex | |||
Riku | German - Powerful Ruler; A variant of Richard | Boy | |||
Sana | Brilliance; exceptional talent or intelligence towards things | Unisex | |||
Sara | Princess | Girl | |||
Sora (そら) | She is like the sky | Girl | |||
Souta ( 南部) | A sudden sound of the wind | Boy | |||
Touma | Assyrian form of Thomas. It means twin. | Boy | |||
Tsumugi (つむぎ) | Pongee a soft cloth made from threads of silk, Spinning, Request, Beseech | Girl | |||
Yamato (やまと) | Great harmony | Boy | |||
Youta (ようだ) | Great sunlight | Boy | |||
Yuuma (ゆうま) | Gentle, Truthful, Honest | Boy | |||
Yuuto (ゆうと) | Gentleness or Tender person | Boy | |||
Ahmya (アーミア) | In Japanese it means black rain. In Spanish it means higher ground | Girl | |||
Ai | love, affection | Girl | |||
Aia (ああ) | One who is famous, ruler of the house | Girl | |||
Aika (あいか) | love song | Girl | |||
Aiko (愛子) | love, affection | Girl | |||
Aina | Beautiful Eyed Woman | Girl | |||
Ainu (アイヌ) | Goddess of Fertility; Human like; | Girl | |||
Aito (アイト) | sea, ocean combined with æ - - (to) that refers to a Chinesee constellation, or ç¿" (to) meaning "soar, fly" | Boy | |||
Akane (あかね) | Madder; red dye | Girl | |||
Aki (あき) | Japanese - Sparkle; Autumn; Bright; Clear; Morning Sun; Smart; A Short Form of name Akira | Girl | |||
Akiara (アキアラ) | A bright person | Unisex | |||
Akiko (アキコ) | Clear, crystal or bright; sparkling and beautiful autumn season | Girl | |||
Akio (秋尾) | Bright Man, Manly, Hero | Boy | |||
Akira (アキラ) | Bright, Clear and intelligent being | Girl | |||
Akito (アキト) | Bright person; who is like autumn season | Unisex | |||
Amaya | The beautiful night rain | Girl | |||
Ami | Hebrew - Lord of my people; It is a variant of name Amiel | Boy | |||
Aneko | An older sister who is versatile and spontaneous | Girl | |||