452 Japanese Baby Unisex Names With Meanings

Let your baby blossom with a name that honors tradition, resilience, and hard work.

Written by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

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Fact-checked by Angela Alex, MA Specialty: Baby NamesExperience: 2 years

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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Last Updated on Sep 5, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Naming customs in Japan have a rich historical, cultural, and traditional significance, with each name carrying layers of meaning and reflecting societal values.

Traditionally, Japanese names consist of kanji characters, logographic symbols borrowed from Chinese characters. These characters carry specific meanings and can be combined to form unique names. Japanese names often have profound meanings rooted in nature, seasons, virtues, or desirable qualities.

In Japan, it is common for names to be written in hiragana, which is a syllabary used in the Japanese writing system. Unlike alphabets, hiragana characters represent syllables rather than individual sounds or whole words. Additionally, for foreign names, katakana, another syllabary in Japanese, may be used. The naming convention in Japan follows the East Asian style, where the family name is placed before the given name. For instance, in the name Suzuki Hiroshi, "Suzuki" is the family name followed by "Hiroshi," the given name (1).

The names given in Japan carry immense cultural importance, serving as a reflection of a person's character and values. Each name embodies ancient Japanese beliefs, as well as artistic and creative practices like gardening, architecture, haiku poetry, and the noble traditions of the Samurai Bushido Code. Furthermore, these names often provide insights into a person's birth order, exemplified by names like 'Taro,' which signifies the status of being the first-born male.

The Enamdict dictionary, a comprehensive compilation of Japanese Proper Names, documents a vast collection of over 138,000 Japanese family names. Similar to many countries, certain family names exhibit higher concentrations in specific regions within Japan. For instance, names like Chinen (知念) and Shimabukuro (島袋) are frequently encountered in Okinawa, but their prevalence in other parts of Japan is comparatively lower (1).

Naming practices in Japan encompass a blend of historical, cultural, and traditional elements. Whether traditional or contemporary, the process of naming boys and girls in Japan remains an essential aspect of Japanese culture, reflecting values, connections, and aspirations within society.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Kaizen	Unisex	Continuous improvement
Kaisen	Unisex	Victorious warrior or triumphant soldier
Aizen	Unisex	Beloved; Affectionate
Azai	Unisex	Strength
Emori	Unisex	Blessed with beauty
Koe	Unisex	Voice; Sound
Kiari	Unisex	To call; To shout
Kyomi	Unisex	Pure, beautiful spirit
Kasai	Unisex	River; Sand
Zen	Unisex	A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition

Eevee	Unisex	Cute and versatile Pokémon
Zori	Unisex	Simplicity; Tradition
Nakai	Unisex	Wanderer; Victory
Inari	Unisex	Finnish goddess of fertility and agriculture
Caisen	Unisex	Warrior; Strong; Victorious
Emari	Unisex	Blessed with grace
Evee	Unisex	Giver of life; To breathe
Mikai	Unisex	Strong, powerful, determined
Sayori	Unisex	Joyful, cheerful, peaceful
Taiden	Unisex	Strong, courageous, and noble

Kano	Unisex	One's place; One's homeland
Aiya	Unisex	Bird
Arisa	Unisex	Beautiful future
Izen	Unisex	Word; Saying
Temari	Unisex	Hand ball, wind like
Asuna	Unisex	Light, bright, morning
Kaide	Unisex	Round; Lumpy; Maple; Beloved; Darling; Fighter; Warrior
Norie	Unisex	Doctrine; Law
Meeko	Unisex	Coyote-like, mischievous
Yui	Unisex	Binding, gentle, delicate

Zo	Unisex	Spiritual leader
Airi	Unisex	Colorful; Cheerful; Fresh
Kayori	Unisex	Graceful, delicate, enchanting
Kaomi	Unisex	Beautiful truth
Juvia	Unisex	Rain or shower
Kemari	Unisex	Rare; Unique; Pprecious
Satori	Unisex	Enlightenment or awakening
Bento	Unisex	Blessed; Blessing
Kitai	Unisex	Hopeful, determined, strong
Shakai	Unisex	Community, social interaction

Imari	Unisex	Exotic, vibrant, porcelain
Umi	Unisex	Sea or ocean
Kaihan	Unisex	Inspiring leader or warrior
Kaze	Unisex	Wind
Camry	Unisex	Crown
Izumi	Unisex	Spring, fountain
Reo	Unisex	Cherry blossom; River
Konan	Unisex	Strong-willed and determined
Renji	Unisex	Lotus; Benevolent; Righteous
Kanari	Unisex	Bird

Kaii	Unisex	Strong; Powerful; Leader
Katai	Unisex	Strong and powerful
Amai	Unisex	Sweet
Enso	Unisex	Circle, Zen, Enlightenment
Escanor	Unisex	The shining one
Yuki	Unisex	Wintery, snow, happiness
Kio	Unisex	Brave; Majestic; Strong
Neji	Unisex	Turbulent, spiral, destiny
Nio	Unisex	Overcoming challenges
Taiyo	Unisex	Sun, sunlight, radiant

Kimari	Unisex	Unrestricted; Without limits
Kenta	Unisex	Strong, spirited, courageous
Keigo	Unisex	Respectful, honorable, polite
Yomi	Unisex	Underworld; Land of the dead
Takumi	Unisex	Skillful craftsman
Miyuki	Unisex	Beautiful snow
Namine	Unisex	Beautiful; Mysterious; Artistic
Revy	Unisex	Shadowy, rebellious, fierce
Zeni	Unisex	Zenith
Yusei	Unisex	Excellent, strong, gifted

Himawari	Unisex	Sunflower or Sun's Flower
Hondo	Unisex	Warrior or loyal warrior
Kaiba	Unisex	Strong; Fearless; Assertive
Kaien	Unisex	Ocean-related; Sea-related
Kaiza	Unisex	Great leader; Powerful ruler
Kaon	Unisex	Mysterious essence
Luffy	Unisex	Energetic, adventurous, determined
Seiya	Unisex	Serene night
Akeira	Unisex	Bright; Clear; Ideal
Raizo	Unisex	Strong, intelligent, and mysterious

Jubei	Unisex	The brave one
Sota	Unisex	Swift; Quick
Himari	Unisex	Gentle, sunny, peaceful
Hiromi	Unisex	Exalted, broad view
Jenova	Unisex	Ancient deity; Celestial being
Kyari	Unisex	Energetic; Charming; Unique
Eizan	Unisex	Sharp and intelligent
Hannya	Unisex	Angry, vengeful spirit
Nory	Unisex	From the north
Tsunami	Unisex	Destructive natural disaster

Momo	Unisex	Peach in Japanese
Kiyo	Unisex	Purity or pure
Lucario	Unisex	Fighting aura Pokémon
Mugen	Unisex	Infinite, boundless or limitless
Seiji	Unisex	Pure; Truthful; Sincere
Akeno	Unisex	Bright, shining
Imoni	Unisex	Faith
Isana	Unisex	Gift from God
Jyn	Unisex	Creative; Unique
Kamiko	Unisex	Superior child or superior beauty

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Discover this diverse, exquisite, and thoughtfully curated list of Japanese unisex baby names with meanings, each carrying immaculate cultural significance. These names serve as timeless expressions of the country’s undying spirit and emphasize the connection between all genders. In an evolving world embracing flexibility and individuality, these unisex names allow parents to give their children a unique yet inclusive identity. We hope that this collection acts as a helpful guide for you to make an informed choice for your little one.

Infographic: Japanese Unisex Baby Names For Modern Parents

Japanese names usually take inspiration from nature, virtues, different seasons, and the desirable qualities in people. The Kanji characters are of profound significance in Japanese names and can be combined in different sequences to give rise to unique names. Discover the beauty of Japanese unisex baby names with the help of this enchanting and informative infographic. Breaking free from the traditional gender naming patterns, these unisex names provide interesting options to parents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any Japanese unisex names related to history?

Names like Akira, meaning ‘light,’ ‘bright,’ or ‘clear,’ is a unisex name, and it is associated with one of Japan’s renowned filmmakers Akira Kurosawa. Katsumi is another unisex Japanese name that means ‘overcome,’ ‘victory,’ or ‘beautiful.’ It can be associated with Katsumi Nomizu, a Japanese-American mathematician famous for his work in differential geometry.

2. How does using Japanese unisex names set children apart from their peers?

Japanese unisex names can set apart your child from their peers because generally, Japanese names have certain suffixes attached to them at the end of the name, like ‘ro,’ ‘ta,’ or ‘ichi,’ are associated with male names, whereas suffixes like ‘ko,’ ‘mi,’ or ‘ka,’ are commonly seen with female names.

3. Are there any special rules or guidelines for choosing Japanese Baby Unisex Names?

Japanese unisex names most likely follow the same rules and guidelines when picking a name for a baby. The arrangement of the name would be a family name followed by the given name. The family name is usually patrilineal and comes before the given name. The given name is chosen at birth and is generally written in the kanji script. However, there are certain cases where names can be written using the phonetic syllabary of hiragana or katakana. It is more common for women to write their names in the hiragana syllabary than men. Japanese names tend not to include any middle names. It is also essential to consider the meaning of the name so that the family accepts it. Pronunciation is another important aspect, as well as spellings since Japanese names can have multiple spellings to their names (1).

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.

Understanding Japanese Names;
https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/all-about-japanese-names

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Author

Shikha ThakurMBA

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.

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Infographic: Japanese Unisex Baby Names For Modern Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

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