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
Norika	Girl	Beautiful sunshine
Noriko	Girl	Commandments; Instructions; Rules; Regulations
Norita	Girl	Tradition; Law; Act; Decree
Noritaka	Boy	Commandment and devoted virtue
Nory	Unisex	From the north
Notin	Boy	One which is round and nothing less
Nozomi	Girl	Hopeful truth; Wishful beauty
Nyoko	Girl	Intoxicated in infatuation
Ochako	Girl	Joyful; Uplifting; Optimistic
Oda	Girl	Assister of faith or religion; One who assists in spreading the faith

Ohagi	Unisex	Derived from the plant hagi
Ohta	Unisex	Eyes of the Almighty God; Free from dirt or impurities
Oishi	Girl	Noble and respected man; Excellent personality
Oka	Unisex	Cherry Blossom; Hill
Okami	Unisex	Wolf; Great god; Great spirit
Okemia	Girl	Horn; Pity; Mercy
Oki	Girl	The Champion in all the fields; A master
Okimi	Girl	The bright shining light
Ome	Unisex	Outgoing
Orihime	Unisex	Weaving Princess

Orochi	Boy	Big snake
Orochimaru	Boy	Serpent
Osaka	Unisex	Large hill or slope
Oshi	Unisex	Thank you; A person's favorite idol or actor
Oshia	Unisex	God supports; God will save
Oshin	Boy	From a Japanese television series
Oyuki	Girl	Snowy or child of snow
Ozai	Boy	Powerful; Fire
Pikachu	Unisex	A sparkling sound made by a mouse
Pon	Unisex	Blessing; Fortunate

Ponyo	Girl	Puffed up; Chubby
Raden	Boy	God of thunder
Raeden	Boy	Thunder God
Rai	Boy	Lightning; Protecting hands
Raiden	Boy	Lightning; God's spirit
Raidon	Boy	God of thunder
Raijin	Boy	A spirit of thunder
Raizo	Unisex	Strong, intelligent, and mysterious
Ramen	Unisex	Japanese noodle soup dish
Ran	Girl	An orchid flower

Rean	Unisex	Loyal and brave
Rei	Girl	Beautiful; Lovely; Bell
Reiji	Boy	Courteous child; A well-mannered baby; Kind and well-behaved
Reika	Girl	Beautiful; Fragrant flower
Reiki	Unisex	A practice of healing the spirit
Reiko	Unisex	Lovely child
Reila	Unisex	Lively; God has given
Reimi	Unisex	Guardian, loyal, caring
Reina	Girl	Queen
Reiya	Girl	Divine, graceful, talented

Relena	Girl	Protector of peace
Ren	Unisex	Lotus blossom
Renji	Unisex	Lotus; Benevolent; Righteous
Renoa	Unisex	Powerful; Unique; Mysterious
Renya	Unisex	Song of God
Renzo	Boy	The third son in the family
Reo	Unisex	Cherry blossom; River
Reon	Unisex	Bell; Orchestra
Reona	Unisex	Lotus in the pond
Retsuko	Girl	Furious child

Revy	Unisex	Shadowy, rebellious, fierce
Richu	Unisex	Bright; Brilliant; Intellectual
Rie	Girl	Blessing; Value; A variant form of Ria
Rieko	Girl	Blessed Child
Riho	Unisex	Gentle, graceful
Rika	Girl	A woman who is going to stay strong forever
Riken	Unisex	Strong, powerful, noble
Riki	Boy	Strength; Power; Powerful leader
Rikishi	Unisex	Sumo wrestler
Rikiya	Boy	Brave leader

Rikka	Girl	Dominant Ruler; Rich and powerful ruler
Rikku	Girl	Dominant ruler; Rich and powerful ruler
Riko	Girl	A daughter of the Jasmine
Riku	Boy	Powerful ruler; A variant of Richard
Rikuto	Boy	A person of the land
Rin	Unisex	A cold, severe and dignified person
Ringo	Boy	One who is like an apple
Rini	Girl	One who is like a little sweet bunny
Rinka	Unisex	Simple; Elegant; Flowing
Rinna	Unisex	Joyful and lively

Rio	Boy	One who is like the river
Riri	Unisex	Beautiful; Jasmine
Risa	Girl	One whose laughter is like the song
Rito	Unisex	Joyful; Rhythmical; Playful
Riyona	Unisex	Singing; Melody
Riyu	Unisex	Reason; Truth
Roronoa	Unisex	Strong; Fearless; Warrior
Rui	Boy	He who is known for his power and fame
Ruka	Boy	Bright Blue Flower; Spiritual
Ruki	Unisex	Bright blue

Rukia	Girl	Bright or shining
Rumi	Girl	Current and flow; Water; Beauty
Ruqa	Girl	One who is a bright blue flower
Rydia	Unisex	Gift of God
Ryo	Boy	Cool; Refreshing; Distant reality; Dragon
Ryoko	Girl	A woman who is like the dragon
Ryoma	Boy	Lightning, dragon, hero
Ryona	Unisex	Blessed guardian
Ryota	Boy	Clear; Refreshing; Something good
Ryoto	Boy	A person who is like a dragon

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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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