777 Japanese Baby Boy Names With Meanings

japanese-baby-boy-names-with-meanings

Like most cultures, Japanese baby boy names are influenced by their history, culture, and traditions. These names often combine ancient customs, religious beliefs, and linguistic influences.

The Japanese have been influenced by Chinese culture, which spread particularly during the Tang dynasty (1). It is evident in their use of kanji characters, which were adopted from Chinese script (2). Even though Japanese names are written in kanji, they are still quite distinctive and can easily be differentiated from Chinese names. Many Japanese names for boys are derived from kanji, and the characters chosen often hold symbolic meanings related to nature, virtues, or desired attributes. Most first names in Japan have one, two, or three kanji. Four-syllable names are mostly given to the eldest sons in a family.

Religious beliefs also play a factor in the naming of boys in Japan. Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion (3), has a great influence on naming customs. Many baby boy names are associated with Shinto deities, historical characters, or natural and spiritual elements. Furthermore, Buddhism, which was introduced to Japan via Korea and China (4), also shows its influence in Japanese names. Buddhist names are frequently associated with enlightenment, virtue, or religious notions.

Names in Japanese culture also tend to reflect the parents' hopes for their children. Parents choose names that signify positive attributes or express their aspirations for the child's future success. Positive traits and goals are embodied by names such as Haruki, meaning spring and radiance, and Hiroshi, meaning generous and kind. Some Japanese first names, such as Mayumi, Kaneko, Masuko, and Arata, can also be used as surnames.

Western names have gained popularity in Japan but traditional Japanese names remain highly valued, showcasing Japan's unique naming tradition.

Name Gender Meaning
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Lenalee
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful and beautiful
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Liella
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex I have a God
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Lucario
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Fighting aura Pokémon
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Luffy
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Energetic, adventurous, determined
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Lusamine
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beauty; Light
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Madara
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Mother Earth
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Madoka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Circle; Roundness
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Maeda
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Surname of Japanese origin
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Maiki
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Powerful; Brave
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Maki
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Hill
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Makita
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Hardworking and industrious
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Makoto
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A sincere person
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Mamoru
Baby Boy Sign Boy To protect; Guard
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Mana
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One who is full of spirit
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Manami
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful love
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Mareo
Baby Boy Sign Boy He who is rare
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Marise
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is infinite; Endless
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Maro
Baby Boy Sign Boy A Japanese name meaning myself
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Maru
Baby Boy Sign Boy Round; Cloud; Honey
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Masa
Baby Boy Sign Boy Elegant; Graceful
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Masahiro
Baby Boy Sign Boy Elegant, respectful, peace
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Masakazu
Baby Boy Sign Boy First son of Masa
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Masao
Baby Boy Sign Boy A saint
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Masaru
Baby Boy Sign Boy Victory
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Masato
Baby Boy Sign Boy Justice
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Masaya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Prosperous and joyful
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Matsu
Baby Boy Sign Boy Pine tree
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Mayu
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful, gentle, beautiful
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Meeko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Coyote-like, mischievous
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Meruem
Baby Boy Sign Boy The light that illuminates all
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Michi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Street; Path
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Michiaki
Baby Boy Sign Boy Road; Path; Way; Lane; Street
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Michio
Baby Boy Sign Boy Man of beauty
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Michiru
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex To rise; To fill
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Midoriya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Green valley
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Mihana
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful flower
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Miho
Baby Boy Sign Boy Croatian form of Michael, meaning who is like God?
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Miiko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful child
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Mikai
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong, powerful, determined
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Miki
Baby Boy Sign Boy Three trees together
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Mikio
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Multiple trees or three trees
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Mikiya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful, intelligent, strong
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Mino
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong; Eliable; Hardworking
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Minoru
Baby Boy Sign Boy The process when a fruit grows on a tree
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Miori
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Noble; Graceful
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Mirin
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Joyful, serene, beloved
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Misato
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beauty, deep thinker, pure-hearted
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Mishi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Light
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Mishima
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful island village
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Miso
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Miso soup
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Miura
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Symbolic, agile, fearless
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Miyabi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Elegance, refinement, grace
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Miyagi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Shrine; Palace; Festival
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Miyaka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful night
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Miyo
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A Beautiful and charming child
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Miyoko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A child of a beautiful generation
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Miyoshi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Beneficial; Good fortune
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Miyuki
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful snow
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Mizu
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Water
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Mochi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex A type of Japanese rice cake made from mochigome, a type of short-grain glutinous rice
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Moji
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex I woke up
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Moki
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Deer
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Momo
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Peach in Japanese
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Mone
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One's harbor; One's haven
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Mono
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Single; Alone; One
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Mori
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Forest or woods
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Morie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Swarthy; Dark-skinned; A moor; A variant of Morris
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Moshi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Smoke; Call; Summon
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Mugen
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Infinite, boundless or limitless
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Musashi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior, skillful, legendary
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Nagato
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Long-lasting gate
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Nagisa
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Calm, shore, serenity
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Nakai
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wanderer; Victory
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Nakaya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful, elegant, serene
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Namiko
Baby Boy Sign Boy A child of the waves; A surfing child
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Namine
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful; Mysterious; Artistic
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Namiya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Grown
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Nana
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex The name of a Spring month; Fresh or green vegetables; The status of a monarch.
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Nao
Baby Boy Sign Boy Straight; Direct; Esteem; Honest
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Naoki
Baby Boy Sign Boy Truthful; Open tree
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Naoyuki
Baby Boy Sign Boy Straightforward; Cheerful
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Naozumi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Frank and cheerfulness
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Naru
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex To become; To grow
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Narumi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful and elegant
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Naruto
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fishcake or ramen-loving ninja
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Natsu
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Very warm season of the year
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Natsuo
Baby Boy Sign Boy The one who came to this world during summer season
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Nayumi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Hopeful; Desire for a better future
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Neji
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Turbulent, spiral, destiny
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Neru
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heart; Soul
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Nezuko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Quiet, gentle, strong
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Ni
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Boundary; Infants
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Nikka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beloved
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Nio
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Overcoming challenges
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Noa
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Movement; Motion
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Noboru
Baby Boy Sign Boy Increase; Rise; Triumphant
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Nobu
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Trust; Faith
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Noburu
Baby Boy Sign Boy Getting wider or bigger
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Norie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Doctrine; Law
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Noritaka
Baby Boy Sign Boy Commandment and devoted virtue
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Picking a Japanese boy name is a great way to experience the country’s beauty and connect to its heritage and linguistic richness. The above names offer a deep view of the tradition and culture of the Japanese community and can fit into modern preferences while upholding traditional values. You can select a name that signifies power or gentler ones that reflect sweet virtues. Whatever your choice may be, this carefully curated list offers pleasant and one-of-a-kind options that carry timeless appeal.

Infographic: Wonderful Japanese Boy Names You Will Love

Japanese names have a unique melodic feel and are usually written in Kanji script. They reflect the rich ancient Japanese culture. Different Kanji characters combine to make one-of-a-kind names. If you're fascinated with Japanese names, this infographic will help you uncover some of the top names for your boy.

lovely japanese names for your boy (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Japanese boy names mean brilliant and future?

Ayahiko, Koushi, and Ayahito are a few Japanese names meaning 'brilliant.' On the other hand, Asuma, Milay, Mirai, Miran, Mirato, and Sakito represent the 'future.' Although these names share specific meanings, other Kanji combinations can also form them, and their meaning can change.

2. Which Japanese baby boy names mean warrior or dragon?

Aohei, Ayuto, Fumiji, Hayaji, Hideshi, Takao, and Riamu are among several names that mean 'warrior' and are associated with qualities like strength, power, and bravery. Ryū, Ryūji, Ryūnosuke, Hakuryū, Ryohei, and Tatsugo, on the other hand, mean 'dragon.' However, it is vital to note that Japanese names can have different interpretations depending on the kanji characters used to write them.

3. What are some Japanese baby boy names with a historical significance or connection?

Yoshimitsu (the name of a 14th-century shogun named Ashikaga Yoshimitsu), Nobunaga (an influential Japanese figure known as ‘The Great Unifier’), Yukimura (the name of a samurai of the Sengoku period), and Ryōma (the name of a samurai who was instrumental in the establishment of the Empire of Japan in the late Edo period) are some names with prominent historical significance.

4. What are some Japanese baby boy names with powerful meanings?

Tsuyoshi (hard, rigid, or strong), Takeshi (strong, healthy), Kenta (healthy, strong, big, or great), and Riki (power, strength) are a few Japanese boy names that carry meanings associated with strength and vitality.

5. What Japanese baby boy names have a positive or uplifting meaning?

Haruki, from the combination of kanji characters 'haru' (光) and "ki" (輝), means 'light' or 'brightness.' On the other hand, Yuuki, from the Kanji character yū' (優), translates to 'excellence,' 'superiority,' and 'hope. Akira, meaning 'bright and clear,' and Hiroshi, meaning 'tolerant' or 'generous,' are Japanese boy names that exude positivity, hope, and exuberance.

6. What are some Japanese baby boy names that are related to sports or athletics?

Takumi (skilled, artisan), Masashi (elegant, will, purpose), and Daichi (big, great, wisdom) are some Japanese boy names with characters that exemplify the factors required to become a successful sportsperson, such as skill, grace, and ambition. Some famous Japanese sportsmen bearing these names include Takumi Obara, a Japanese athlete who competed in the first Olympic triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Masashi Ebinuma is a Japanese judoka who won a bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

7. What are some Japanese baby boy names inspired by nature?

Daichi (great land), Haruki (clear weather, brightness), Aren (mountain), Gaku (mountain), and Akai (ocean) are some Japanese baby boy names associated with nature's beauty and tranquility.

8. Which Japanese baby boy names mean intelligence or wisdom?

Akitoshi symbolizes clarity and wisdom, whereas Daichirō represents intelligence. Jouken means constancy and intelligence, and Kenki refers to intellect. Like these, several other Japanese boy names that translate to wisdom and intellect include Satoshi and Kenzō.

9. What are some Japanese baby boy names that are easy to pronounce and spell?

Hiro, Ken, Kota, Shin, and Yuki are short and sweet Japanese names with straightforward pronunciation and spelling. These names are common in Japan and convenient for non-Japanese speakers to pronounce and remember.

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.
  1. The Japanese Missions to Tang China
    7th-9th Centuries
  2. Explore Japan Language
    https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/language/index.html
  3. Japanese Religions
    https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/japanese_religions
  4. Buddhism in Ancient Japan
    https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1080/buddhism-in-ancient-japan/
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Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood. She also specializes in baby names. A postgraduate in Human Resources from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, she likes understanding...read full bio