A perfect blend of traditional and modern names, from Aki to Yuna!
Written by Nisha Bharatan, B.Tech Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing... more
Specialty: Kids Fun and Developmental ActivitiesExperience: 6 years
Edited by Rebecca Malachi, BSc Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotec... more
Specialty: Pregnancy, Health and WellnessExperience: 12 years
Fact-checked by Trisha Chakraborty, MA, BEd Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the... more
Specialty: Child development & educationExperience: 5 years
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ahmya |  Girl | Black rain; Higher ground | |
| Ai | Girl | Love; Affection | |
| Aia | Girl | One who is famous, Ruler of the house | |
| Aika | Girl | Love song | |
| Aiko | Girl | Little loved one | |
| Aimi | Girl | Love beauty | |
| Aina | Girl | Beautiful eyed woman | |
| Ainu | Girl | Goddess of fertility; Human-like | |
| Airi |  Unisex | Colorful; Cheerful; Fresh | |
| Airin | Unisex | Peaceful; Graceful; Beautiful | |
| Aito | Boy | Sea; Ocean; Soar; Fly | |
| Aiya | Unisex | Bird | |
| Aizen | Unisex | Beloved; Affectionate | |
| Ajin | Unisex | Gold; Precious | |
| Akai | Unisex | Red | |
| Akane | Girl | Red dye | |
| Akari | Girl | Light; Brightness | |
| Akashi | Unisex | Red bridge; Bright stone | |
| Akatsuki | Unisex | Dawn; Daybreak | |
| Akaya | Unisex | Vibrant; Fiery | |
| Akeira | Unisex | Bright; Clear; Ideal | |
| Akemi | Girl | Bright, beautiful, dawn | |
| Akeno | Unisex | Bright, shining | |
| Aki | Girl | Autumn; Clear | |
| Akiara | Unisex | A bright person | |
| Akie | Unisex | Graceful, intelligent, serene | |
| Akihiro | Boy | Bright, intelligent, gracious | |
| Akiko | Girl | Clear; Crystal; Autumn season | |
| Akino | Unisex | Autumn field | |
| Akio | Boy | Bright Man; Manly; Hero | |
| Akira | Girl | Bright; Clear; Intelligent being | |
| Akiro | Boy | Bright, intelligent, courageous | |
| Akisha | Unisex | She who is intelligent | |
| Akita | Unisex | Breed of bear-hunting dog from the mountainous regions of northern Japan | |
| Akito | Unisex | Bright person; Autumn season | |
| Akiya | Unisex | Bright; Autumn | |
| Akoya | Unisex | Bright; Precious; Pure | |
| Akuma | Unisex | Demon; Devil | |
| Alexiel | Unisex | Graceful; Strong; Dvine | |
| Amai | Unisex | Sweet | |
| Amane | Unisex | Peaceful, serene, tranquil | |
| Amaterasu | Unisex | Shining in heaven | |
| Amaya | Girl | Heavenly valley; Elevated place; Mother capital | |
| Ami | Boy | Lord of my people | |
| Aneko | Girl | An older sister; Versatile and spontaneous | |
| Anime | Unisex | Animation | |
| Anki | Unisex | Graceful; Merciful | |
| Anzu | Girl | Apricot | |
| Aoi | Unisex | Hollyhock; Green; Blue | |
| Aoki | Unisex | An evergreen blue tree | |
| Arai | Unisex | Arai - Noble, strong, elegant | |
| Arashi | Unisex | Storm; Tempest | |
| Arata | Boy | Fresh; New | |
| Arisa | Unisex | Beautiful future | |
| Arisu | Girl | Righteous; Noble natured | |
| Asa | Boy | Physician; Healer | |
| Asada | Unisex | Essence of gratitude | |
| Asahi | Boy | Morning sun | |
| Asai | Unisex | Morning; Sunrise | |
| Asami | Girl | Beautiful | |
| Asas | Boy | Physician; A healer; A beautiful morning | |
| Asuga | Girl | Swift like the wind | |
| Asuka | Girl | Tomorrow; Fragrance | |
| 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 | |
| Aya | Girl | Design; Colorful | |
| Ayaka | Girl | Color; Flower | |
| Ayako | Girl | Reliable, gentle, peaceful | |
| Ayame | Girl | Iris; A flowering plant | |
| Ayami | Unisex | Exquisite and graceful | |
| Ayane | Girl | A colorful sound | |
| Ayano | Unisex | Colorful, serene, beautiful | |
| Ayato | Unisex | Versatile and determined | |
| Ayeka | Girl | Quick and analytical mind | |
| Ayumi | Girl | Walk; Step | |
| Ayumu | Girl | One who has a dream and a vision | |
| Ayuri | Unisex | Walker of beauty; My beautiful walk | |
| Azai | Unisex | Strength | |
| Azami | Unisex | Flower or thistle | |
| Azumi | Unisex | Safe residence; Peaceful dwelling | |
| Bachi | Unisex | Stroke; Hit | |
| Bashira | Girl | Joyful; Predictor of Good News | |
| Benjiro | Boy | Enjoys Peace | |
| Bento | Unisex | Blessed; Blessing | |
| Boruto | Boy | Bolt | |
| Broly | Boy | Powerful; Fierce; Unstoppable | |
| Bulma | Unisex | Intelligent and adventurous | |
| Caisen | Unisex | Warrior; Strong; Victorious | |
| Camie | Girl | Sweet, charming, and strong | |
| Camry | Unisex | Crown | |
| Chiaki | Girl | Sparkling light | |
| Chibi | Boy | Short person or small Child | |
| Chichi | Boy | Wisdom, intellect | |
| Chidori | Unisex | A thousand birds | |
| Chiharu | Unisex | Springs and clear skies | |
| Chihiro | Girl | Thousand armspans | |
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.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get the high-quality PDF version of this 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
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.
- Popularity of name Akira.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ - A Brief Exploration of the Development of the Japanese Writing System.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=honorscollege_anthro - Japanese Culture: Naming.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-naming
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.
Was this article helpful?
