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
Minori	Girl	Bright, small
Minoru	Boy	The process when a fruit grows on a tree
Mio	Girl	A beautiful cherry blossom
Miona	Girl	Beautiful cherry blossom
Miori	Unisex	Beautiful; Noble; Graceful
Mirai	Girl	The future; The time that is yet to come
Mirin	Unisex	Joyful, serene, beloved
Misa	Girl	A beautiful bud or a beautiful sand
Misaki	Girl	Beautiful; Blossom
Misako	Girl	A fascinating child; Beautiful sea or sand

Misato	Unisex	Beauty, deep thinker, pure-hearted
Mishi	Unisex	Beautiful; Light
Mishima	Unisex	Beautiful island village
Miso	Unisex	Miso soup
Mitsu	Girl	Light
Mitsue	Girl	A shining light; A bright ray
Mitsuki	Girl	Beautiful moon
Miu	Girl	A beautiful feather
Miura	Unisex	Symbolic, agile, fearless
Miwa	Girl	Beautiful; Harmony; Three; Circle

Miya	Girl	A beautiful temple
Miyabi	Unisex	Elegance, refinement, grace
Miyagi	Unisex	Shrine; Palace; Festival
Miyah	Girl	The pregnant virgin; A sacred temple
Miyaka	Unisex	Beautiful night
Miyako	Girl	Beautiful, elegant, capital
Miyo	Unisex	A Beautiful and charming child
Miyoko	Unisex	A child of a beautiful generation
Miyoshi	Unisex	Beautiful; Beneficial; Good fortune
Miyu	Girl	A beautiful truth; Gentleness

Miyuki	Unisex	Beautiful snow
Mizu	Unisex	Water
Mizuki	Girl	Auspicious; Hope
Mochi	Unisex	A type of Japanese rice cake made from mochigome, a type of short-grain glutinous rice
Moe	Girl	Mother Mary; The Holy Virgin; An unmarried girl
Moji	Unisex	I woke up
Moki	Unisex	Deer
Momiji	Girl	Red leaves; The maple tree
Momo	Unisex	Peach in Japanese
Momoka	Girl	Hundreds of flowers

Momoko	Girl	Peach; Hundred; Child
Mon	Girl	Gateway
Mone	Unisex	One's harbor; One's haven
Mono	Unisex	Single; Alone; One
Mori	Unisex	Forest or woods
Morie	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; A moor; A variant of Morris
Morika	Girl	A fragrance of the forest
Moriko	Girl	Forest child
Moshi	Unisex	Smoke; Call; Summon
Motoko	Girl	Child of the Capital

Mugen	Unisex	Infinite, boundless or limitless
Musashi	Boy	Warrior, skillful, legendary
Nagato	Unisex	Long-lasting gate
Nagi	Girl	Intimate friend; Saved
Nagisa	Unisex	Calm, shore, serenity
Nakai	Unisex	Wanderer; Victory
Nakaya	Unisex	Graceful, elegant, serene
Namaari	Girl	Strong; Fierce; Warrior-like
Namie	Girl	Blessings; Little help
Namiko	Boy	A child of the waves; A surfing child

Namine	Unisex	Beautiful; Mysterious; Artistic
Namiya	Unisex	Grown
Nana	Unisex	The name of a Spring month; Fresh or green vegetables; The status of a monarch.
Nanako	Girl	The child of the greens
Nanami	Girl	Seven seas; Beautiful green vegetables
Nao	Boy	Straight; Direct; Esteem; Honest
Naoki	Boy	Truthful; Open tree
Naoko	Girl	Respectful; Submissive child
Naoto	Girl	Honest, capable, determined
Naoyuki	Boy	Straightforward; Cheerful

Naozumi	Boy	Frank and cheerfulness
Nara	Girl	Happy; Country; Sun; Pomegranate tree; Man
Nariko	Girl	Gentle child
Naru	Unisex	To become; To grow
Narumi	Unisex	Beautiful and elegant
Naruto	Boy	Fishcake or ramen-loving ninja
Natsu	Unisex	Very warm season of the year
Natsuki	Girl	Green fruits, Plants; Vegetables; Bright moon
Natsuko	Girl	The one who was born in summer time
Natsumi	Girl	Summer; Beautiful

Natsuo	Boy	The one who came to this world during summer season
Nayomi	Girl	Variant of Naomi; Pleasantness; Delight
Nayumi	Unisex	Hopeful; Desire for a better future
Ne	Girl	Sound or a musical instrument
Neji	Unisex	Turbulent, spiral, destiny
Neru	Unisex	Heart; Soul
Nezuko	Unisex	Quiet, gentle, strong
Ni	Unisex	Boundary; Infants
Nikaio	Girl	Who belongs to Daimyo, Japan
Nikka	Unisex	Beloved

Niko	Boy	People's victory
Nio	Unisex	Overcoming challenges
Nisbett	Girl	Reliable; dependable; Trust worthy
Nishi	Girl	Growing stronger
Noa	Unisex	Movement; Motion
Noboru	Boy	Increase; Rise; Triumphant
Nobu	Unisex	Trust; Faith
Noburu	Boy	Getting wider or bigger
Nori	Girl	Peace; Doctrine; Seaweed
Norie	Unisex	Doctrine; Law

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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)

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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