396 Shinto Baby Names With Meanings
Embracing the tradition of names rooted in Japanese spirituality and culture.
Picking a Shinto baby name has never been so easy. Our baby name tool offers a comprehensive collection of Shinto baby names with meanings. Shinto is one of the most followed religious convictions in Japan. It isn’t a religion per se. Its spirituality is based on the Japanese idea of ‘kami,’ which means a divine spirit (1). The followers of Shintoism do not have any holy scriptures in the truest sense, but they do follow Japanese classics like Kojiki and Nihongi. Shinto and Buddhism are very similar to each other. Both address the worldview questions, and both aim to attain salvation. In fact, Shinto did not have a name until Buddhism was introduced in Japan. On the 31st day of the birth of baby boys and the 32nd day of the birth of baby girls, the parents and the grandparents of the child visit a Shinto shrine for the baby naming ceremony. The priest, in between all the prayers, announces the baby’s name. The parents then carry the baby in their arms and bow to the altar. Spirituality, nature, ancestral figures, and cultural heritage inspire the Shinto baby names. These names are usually traditional and represent the connection with Japanese and Buddhist traditions and heritage, which makes them significant and unique. For example, the name Hagrama, which stands for ‘dense forest,’ here the name signifies the importance of living in harmony with nature and highlights qualities like serenity and purity. The name Sora, which means ‘sky’ or ‘heaven,’ symbolizes divine strength and vastness, which are believed to be important concepts in Shinto beliefs. Another name Chouko, which means ‘butterfly child,’ evokes the image of beautiful nature marvels, which connects to the cycle of life celebrated in Shintoism. With such amazing connections and deep-rooted meanings, these Shinto baby names look like a good fit for any baby. Below, we have listed the most common and popular Shinto names for you to select from. Take a look and pick a favorite.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Air | Unisex | Breath; Life; Atmosphere | |
Airi | Unisex | Colorful; Cheerful; Fresh | |
Akatsuki | Unisex | Dawn; Daybreak | |
Akemi | Girl | Bright, beautiful, dawn | |
Akeno | Unisex | Bright, shining | |
Akie | Unisex | Graceful, intelligent, serene | |
Akino | Unisex | Autumn field | |
Akiro | Boy | Bright, intelligent, courageous | |
Akita | Unisex | Breed of bear-hunting dog from the mountainous regions of northern Japan | |
Akiya | Unisex | Bright; Autumn | |
Akuma | Unisex | Demon; Devil | |
Alastor | Boy | Avenger or vengeful spirit | |
Amane | Unisex | Peaceful, serene, tranquil | |
Amaterasu | Unisex | Shining in heaven | |
Anime | Unisex | Animation | |
Ao | Unisex | Brightness, brilliance, blue | |
Arashi | Unisex | Storm; Tempest | |
Asuma | Unisex | True guardian | |
Asumi | Unisex | Beautiful purity; Pure beauty | |
Asuna | Unisex | Light, bright, morning | |
Atari | Unisex | Japanese word for success or victory | |
Atsuko | Girl | Warm; Kind child | |
Atsushi | Boy | Industrious; Compassionate; Kind-hearted | |
Ayako | Girl | Reliable, gentle, peaceful | |
Ayami | Unisex | Exquisite and graceful | |
Ayano | Unisex | Colorful, serene, beautiful | |
Ayato | Unisex | Versatile and determined | |
Azumi | Unisex | Safe residence; Peaceful dwelling | |
Bandit | Unisex | A person who steals or robs, often as part of a group or gang | |
Boruto | Boy | Bolt | |
Chidori | Unisex | A thousand birds | |
Chisa | Unisex | Small; Precious | |
Chito | Boy | Gift | |
Chiyo | Girl | Thousand generations | |
Chiyoko | Girl | Child of a thousand generations | |
Chizue | Girl | Long life; Endurance; Durability | |
Cho | Girl | Butterfly | |
Chouko | Girl | Butterfly; an insect that feeds on nectar of flowers | |
Daigo | Girl | Strength, greatness, enlightenment | |
Denki | Unisex | Electricity | |
Dragon | Unisex | A mythical, usually large creature featuring serpentine or reptilian traits | |
East | Unisex | Direction of the sunrise; Opposite of west | |
Eevee | Unisex | Cute and versatile Pokémon | |
Eijiro | Boy | Great second son | |
Eiko | Unisex | Child of splendor | |
Emiya | Unisex | Archer, Protector, Skillful | |
Emperor | Unisex | Ruler, authority, powerful | |
Fuka | Unisex | Breeze or fusion | |
Fumi | Unisex | Literature; History | |
Gaara | Boy | Self-loving one | |
Geisha | Boy | Japanese traditional entertainer | |
Giichi | Boy | One rule; The righteous one | |
Gin | Boy | Silver | |
Ginjiro | Boy | Good silver | |
Gion | Unisex | God is gracious | |
Goemon | Boy | Strong-willed; Courageous | |
Gringamore | Boy | A person who is not American; A person from Latin America who is settled in America. | |
Guha | Boy | Cave or heart | |
Guillem | Boy | A fearless defender who can do anything to protect his beloved | |
Hagrama | Boy | Dense forest; Thick woodland area; Opaque Jungle | |
Hajime | Unisex | Beginning; Start | |
Halbert | Boy | Shining jewel; Dazzling hero | |
Haleena | Girl | Of the light | |
Hanabi | Unisex | Fireworks, celebration, beauty | |
Hanzo | Boy | Strong, noble warrior | |
Haruka | Unisex | Distant or far away | |
Harvest | Unisex | The process of gathering ripe crops from fields | |
Hashan | Boy | Laughter; Lord Chandra (Moon) | |
Hatsumi | Unisex | First beauty | |
Hauba | Girl | A person's individual soul | |
Havard | Boy | High guardian | |
Hayami | Unisex | Mountain beauty | |
Hayato | Boy | Speedy, swift, or fast | |
Hewitt | Boy | Little smart one | |
Hibana | Unisex | Spark | |
Hilbrand | Boy | Sword used in battles | |
Hildeth | Girl | She who gives good battle counsel | |
Hime | Unisex | Princess | |
Hinode | Unisex | Sunrise | |
Hiromi | Unisex | Exalted, broad view | |
Hitachi | Unisex | Sunrise | |
Hitomi | Unisex | Pupil of the eye | |
Hiyori | Unisex | Weather | |
Homura | Unisex | Flame; Firelight | |
Hondo | Unisex | Warrior or loyal warrior | |
Honoka | Unisex | Harmony or peaceful spirit | |
Howl | Unisex | Eminent; Prominent; To cry out loud | |
Huzayma | Boy | He is a firm believer | |
Hylia | Unisex | Divine and sacred | |
Ichigo | Unisex | Strawberry or one with a cheerful spirit | |
Ichika | Unisex | First flower | |
Ichiro | Unisex | First son, first born | |
Iga | Boy | Strong warrior | |
Iku | Unisex | Death; To live | |
Inari | Unisex | Finnish goddess of fertility and agriculture | |
Inori | Unisex | Prayer or wish | |
Inu | Unisex | Dog | |
Inuyasha | Boy | Dog; Demon | |
Iori | Unisex | Fragrant weaving; Weaving with colors | |
Iro | Unisex | Peaceful | |
Shinto baby names are straightforward and elegant choices inspired by the Shinto religion. These names are unique and have significant meanings and interesting concepts that pique curiosity. They are often derived from many essential aspects of the faith, like the elements of nature, spirituality, and deities. If you are a parent interested in the Shinto culture and beliefs, then choosing these names would be a great way to appreciate the culture and its values and traditions. Whether you choose these names for their uniqueness or meanings, they will leave a good impression on your little one.
Infographic: Mesmerizing Shinto Baby Names
Shinto baby names are attractive, with deep meanings, as they are inspired by the indigenous Japanese religion, Shinto. These names reflect cultural and spiritual values and strongly emphasize nature, ancestors, and spirits. If you are looking for a unique title for your adorable little one, go through this infographic and choose your favorite Shinto name.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do Shinto baby names typically mean or symbolize?
Shinto baby names usually have meanings or symbols connected to nature, such as Cho, meaning ‘butterfly,’ virtue names, such as Guha, meaning ’a delightful person,’ and spiritual names, such as Hashan, denoting Lord Chandra (moon). These names show a strong respect for nature and the spiritual beliefs followed in Shintoism.
2. What is the significance of a baby’s name in Shintoism, and how does it affect their life or destiny?
In Shintoism, baby names often carry a spiritual significance which is believed to mold their destiny and identity. Since the naming ceremony is held under the guidance of a priest, the name is said to invite good energy and blessing for the baby. Moreover, with the involvement of the elderly members in the ceremony, Shinto names also strengthen the family lineage.
References
- Shinto- A Japanese religion.
https://asiasociety.org/education/shinto
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.