Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Michiru |  |  Unisex | To rise; To fill |
| Midna | |  Girl | Mysterious twilight princess |
| Midoriya | | Unisex | Green valley |
| Miiko | | Unisex | Beautiful child |
| Mikio | | Unisex | Multiple trees or three trees |
| Mikiya | | Unisex | Beautiful, intelligent, strong |
| Mino | | Unisex | Strong; Eliable; Hardworking |
| Minori | | Girl | Bright, small |
| Miori | | Unisex | Beautiful; Noble; Graceful |
| Misato | | Unisex | Beauty, deep thinker, pure-hearted |
| Mishima | | Unisex | Beautiful island village |
| Miso | | Unisex | Miso soup |
| Miura | | Unisex | Symbolic, agile, fearless |
| Miyabi | | Unisex | Elegance, refinement, grace |
| Miyaka | | Unisex | Beautiful night |
| Miyako | | Girl | Beautiful, elegant, capital |
| Miyoshi | | Unisex | Beautiful; Beneficial; Good fortune |
| Miyuki | | Unisex | Beautiful snow |
| Mizu | | Unisex | Water |
| Moshi | | Unisex | Smoke; Call; Summon |
| Motoko | | Girl | Child of the Capital |
| Musashi | |  Boy | Warrior, skillful, legendary |
| Nagato | | Unisex | Long-lasting gate |
| Nagisa | | Unisex | Calm, shore, serenity |
| Nakaya | | Unisex | Graceful, elegant, serene |
| Naori | | Unisex | Peaceful, beautiful, charming |
| Naoto | | Girl | Honest, capable, determined |
| Narumi | | Unisex | Beautiful and elegant |
| Naruto | | Boy | Fishcake or ramen-loving ninja |
| Nezuko | | Unisex | Quiet, gentle, strong |
| Ni | | Unisex | Boundary; Infants |
| Nier | | Unisex | Darkness; Black |
| Nobu | | Unisex | Trust; Faith |
| Ochako | | Girl | Joyful; Uplifting; Optimistic |
| Ohagi | | Unisex | Derived from the plant hagi |
| Okami | | Unisex | Wolf; Great god; Great spirit |
| Orihime | | Unisex | Weaving Princess |
| Orochimaru | | Boy | Serpent |
| Osaka | | Unisex | Large hill or slope |
| Oshun | | Unisex | Goddess of love and beauty |
| Oyuki | | Girl | Snowy or child of snow |
| Pikachu | | Unisex | A sparkling sound made by a mouse |
| Pine | | Unisex | A type of evergreen tree with needle-like leaves. |
| Pon | | Unisex | Blessing; Fortunate |
| Ponyo | | Girl | Puffed up; Chubby |
| Raizen | | Unisex | Powerful, mighty, leader |
| Reika | | Girl | Beautiful; Fragrant flower |
| Reimi | | Unisex | Guardian, loyal, caring |
| Rikiya | | Boy | Brave leader |
| Roronoa | | Unisex | Strong; Fearless; Warrior |
| Rube | | Unisex | Unsophisticated; Naive person |
| Ryoma | | Boy | Lightning, dragon, hero |
| Ryuji | | Boy | Dragon's son |
| Ryujin | | Unisex | Dragon god or dragon spirit |
| Ryuk | | Boy | Death God |
| Ryuko | | Unisex | Ddragon child; Child of the dragon |
| Ryusei | | Unisex | Shooting star |
| Samurai | | Unisex | Warrior, honor, discipline |
| Sango | | Unisex | Coral-colored; god of thunder and lightning in Yoruba mythology |
| Sayori | | Unisex | Joyful, cheerful, peaceful |
| Sayumi | | Girl | Beautiful, quiet, graceful |
| Seiji | | Unisex | Pure; Truthful; Sincere |
| Seiya | | Unisex | Serene night |
| Sennen | | Unisex | Eternal; Millennium; Everlasting |
| Seoul | | Unisex | Capital city of South Korea |
| Setsuna | | Unisex | Momentary; Transient; Intense sorrow |
| Shallet | | Unisex | Unique and uncommon |
| Shango | | Unisex | God of thunder and lightning |
| Shiba | | Unisex | Brushwood; Firewood |
| Shikamaru | | Boy | Gentle or pure-hearted person; As gentle as a deer |
| Shingo | | Boy | True faith; deep belief |
| Shinji | | Boy | Truth, sincerity, trust |
| Shinra | | Unisex | Flame; Divine power |
| Shinya | | Unisex | Night or truth |
| Shione | | Unisex | Tide; Sound of waves |
| Shizuka | | Girl | Quiet; Peaceful |
| Shohei | | Boy | Shining; Bountiful; Peaceful |
| Shoto | | Boy | Soaring; Flying like a bird |
| Shu | | Unisex | uprightness or the one who rises |
| Skyrim | | Unisex | A fictional Northern region in the Elder Scrolls video game series |
| Soho | | Unisex | An area of the City of Westminster, London |
| Sora | | Girl | Sky; Conch shell; Heaven; Gravel |
| Sosuke | | Boy | Courageous, noble warrior |
| Souji | | Boy | One who is a general director |
| Souta | | Boy | A sudden sound of the wind; Thick; Great |
| Spider | | Unisex | Latin nickname |
| Subaru | | Unisex | One who is uniting; A term identifying the Pleiades star cluster in the constellation Taurus |
| Sueko | | Girl | She who is the youngest child in the family |
| Suguru | | Boy | An eminent person |
| Suki | | Girl | A beloved woman |
| Sumiko | | Girl | She is a beautiful child of goodness |
| Sumire | | Girl | A lovely violet |
| Sushi | | Girl | A Japanese dish of vinegared rice |
| Suzu | | Boy | A man who lives long |
| Suzuka | | Unisex | Bell; Small bell |
| Suzuki | | Unisex | A common surname in Japan; Bell of wood |
| Suzume | | Unisex | Sparrow |
| Tadaaki | | Boy | Faithful light |
| Tadashi | | Boy | Good; Virtous; Loyalty; Devotion |
| Taichi | | Boy | Means a thick or big one |
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.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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
