200+ Japanese names with kanji, romaji, and English meanings. Browse male, female, and gender-neutral names — or filter by meaning: nature, strength, love, light, and more.
Showing 139 names
Sakura
Sakura
Cherry blossom
桜 = cherry blossom tree
Aoi
Aoi
Hollyhock, blue
葵 = hollyhock flower
Hana
Hana
Flower
花 = flower
Yui
Yui
Tie, connect
結 = tie, 衣 = clothing
Hina
Hina
Sunlight, vegetables
陽 = sun, 菜 = vegetables/greens
Rin
Rin
Dignified, cold
凛 = dignified, cold air
Misaki
Misaki
Beautiful bloom
美 = beautiful, 咲 = bloom
Nanami
Nanami
Seven seas
七 = seven, 海 = sea
Riko
Riko
Jasmine child
莉 = jasmine, 子 = child
Kokoro
Kokoro
Heart, mind
心 = heart/mind
Akane
Akane
Madder red
茜 = red dye plant
Chihiro
Chihiro
Thousand fathoms
千 = thousand, 尋 = fathom/seek
Ao
Ao
Blue, pale
蒼 = blue-green, pale
Akane
Akane
Vermillion sound
朱 = vermillion, 音 = sound
Shizuku
Shizuku
Raindrop
雫 = drop of water
Tsuki
Tsuki
Moon
月 = moon
Wakana
Wakana
Harmonious music
和 = harmony, 奏 = play music
Tsumugi
Tsumugi
Silk cloth
紬 = woven silk
Aya
Aya
Colour, design
彩 = colour
Mio
Mio
Water path
澪 = water channel
Hitomi
Hitomi
Pupil of the eye
瞳 = pupil (eye)
Yuki
Yuki
Reason, era
由 = reason, 紀 = era/record
Megumi
Megumi
Grace, blessing
恵 = grace/favor
Nagisa
Nagisa
Waterside
渚 = water's edge
Koto
Koto
Japanese harp
琴 = koto (instrument)
Midori
Midori
Green
緑 = green
Ume
Ume
Plum blossom
梅 = plum tree
Tsubaki
Tsubaki
Camellia flower
椿 = camellia
Fuji
Fuji
Wisteria
藤 = wisteria vine
Sumire
Sumire
Violet flower
菫 = violet (flower)
Suzu
Suzu
Bell
鈴 = small bell
Uta
Uta
Poem, song
詩 = poem
Yuzu
Yuzu
Yuzu citrus
柚 = yuzu fruit
Ho
Ho
Grain ear, spike
穂 = ear of grain
Momiji
Momiji
Autumn leaves
紅 = crimson, 葉 = leaf
Ai
Ai
Love, affection
愛 = love
Yuu
Yuu
Gentle, superior
優 = gentle/superior
Nozomi
Nozomi
Hope, wish
希 = hope/rare
Haru
Haru
Spring
春 = spring season
Yuki
Yuki
Snow
雪 = snow
Mitsuki
Mitsuki
Beautiful moon
美 = beautiful, 月 = moon
Asuka
Asuka
Tomorrow fragrance
明日 = tomorrow, 香 = fragrance
Mai
Mai
Linen clothing
麻 = linen, 衣 = clothes
Yoko
Yoko
Sunlight child
陽 = sunlight, 子 = child
Mayumi
Mayumi
True, genuine beauty
真 = true, 由 = reason, 美 = beautiful
Rina
Rina
Village, apple tree
里 = village, 奈 = apple tree
Kaori
Kaori
Fragrant weave
香 = fragrance, 織 = weave
Sakura
Sakura
Blooming good
咲 = bloom, 良 = good
Haruna
Haruna
Clear sky greens
晴 = clear sky, 菜 = greens
Hikari
Hikari
Light jasmine
光 = light, 莉 = jasmine
Yuri
Yuri
Lily flower
百合 = lily
Natsumi
Natsumi
Summer greens
菜 = greens, 摘 = pick/pluck
Hoshi
Hoshi
Star
星 = star
Yume
Yume
Dream
夢 = dream
Fuka
Fuka
Wind flower
風 = wind, 花 = flower
Ren
Ren
Lotus
蓮 = lotus flower
Hayate
Hayate
Swift wind
颯 = swift/fresh wind
Hiroto
Hiroto
Great soar
大 = great, 翔 = soar
Yū
Yuu
Distant, leisurely
悠 = far, leisurely
Minato
Minato
Harbour
湊 = port/harbour
Sōra
Soura
Blue sky
蒼 = blue, 空 = sky
Riku
Riku
Land
陸 = land/shore
Itsuki
Itsuki
Tree
樹 = tree
Ryū
Ryuu
Dragon
龍 = dragon
Kakeru
Kakeru
Soar, fly
翔 = soar
Kō
Kou
Glitter, shine
煌 = glitter
Haru
Haru
Clear sky
晴 = sunny/clear
Isamu
Isamu
Bravery
勇 = brave
Taichi
Taichi
Great one
太 = great, 一 = one
Satoshi
Satoshi
Wise, intelligent
聡 = wise/perceptive
Ken
Ken
Healthy, strong
健 = healthy/strong
Makoto
Makoto
Sincerity
誠 = sincere/honest
Hikaru
Hikaru
Light
光 = light
Kaito
Kaito
Sea and big dipper
海 = sea, 斗 = big dipper
Takumi
Takumi
Open sea
拓 = open, 海 = sea
Yūdai
Yuudai
Great hero
雄 = masculine/hero, 大 = great
Ryō
Ryou
Endure, surpass
凌 = endure/surpass
Takeshi
Takeshi
Military, warrior
武 = military/martial
Tsuyoshi
Tsuyoshi
Strong, hard
剛 = strong/hard
Chikara
Chikara
Power, strength
力 = power/strength
Gou
Gou
Mighty, great
豪 = mighty/great
Shin
Shin
Trust, faith
信 = trust/faith
Satoru
Satoru
Wisdom
智 = wisdom/intellect
Tetsu
Tetsu
Philosophy, wisdom
哲 = wisdom/philosophy
Manabu
Manabu
Learning, study
学 = learn/study
Noboru
Noboru
Ascend, rise
昇 = rise/ascend
Akira
Akira
Radiance, shine
輝 = shine/radiance
Akira
Akira
Bright, clear
明 = bright/clear
You
You
Sun, positive
陽 = sun/positive
Kai
Kai
Sea
海 = sea/ocean
Nagare
Nagare
Flow, stream
流 = flow/stream
Nami
Nami
Wave
波 = wave
Souta
Souta
Blue, great
蒼 = blue, 太 = great/fat
Sora
Sora
Sky
空 = sky/empty
Kaze
Kaze
Wind
風 = wind
Arashi
Arashi
Storm
嵐 = storm
Tadashi
Tadashi
Correct, righteous
正 = correct/right
Yoshiyuki
Yoshiyuki
Justice, righteousness
義 = justice/righteousness
Jin
Jin
Benevolence, kindness
仁 = benevolence
Ko
Ko
Filial piety, devotion
孝 = filial piety
Mori
Mori
Forest
森 = forest
Gaku
Gaku
Mountain peak
岳 = mountain peak
Shun
Shun
Steep mountain
峻 = steep/high
Ryu
Ryu
Dragon
竜 = dragon
Tora
Tora
Tiger
虎 = tiger
Taka
Taka
Hawk, falcon
鷹 = hawk/falcon
Rou
Rou
Wolf
狼 = wolf
To
To
Big dipper, ladle
斗 = big dipper constellation
Seiya
Seiya
Star arrow
星 = star, 矢 = arrow
Sora
Sora
Sky
空 = sky/empty
Kanade
Kanade
Play music
奏 = play instrument
You
You
Leaf
葉 = leaf
Umi
Umi
Sea, ocean
海 = sea/ocean
Hikaru
Hikaru
Light, shine
光 = light/shine
Wataru
Wataru
Cross over, wide
渉 = wade/cross
Makoto
Makoto
Truth, genuine
真 = truth/genuine
Haruka
Haruka
Distant, far
遥 = far/distant
Nagi
Nagi
Calm wind, lull
凪 = calm (sea/wind)
Kaede
Kaede
Maple tree
楓 = maple tree
Akatsuki
Akatsuki
Dawn, daybreak
暁 = dawn/daybreak
Hotaru
Hotaru
Firefly
蛍 = firefly
Miyabi
Miyabi
Elegance, refinement
雅 = elegant/refined
En
En
Fate, bond
縁 = fate/connection
Yui
Yui
Tie, bind
結 = tie/bind
Tsukasa
Tsukasa
Director, manager
司 = manage/direct
Mizu
Mizu
Auspicious, felicitous
瑞 = auspicious/felicitous
Izumi
Izumi
Spring, fountain
泉 = spring/fountain
Asahi
Asahi
Morning sun
旭 = rising/morning sun
Shigure
Shigure
Winter rain
時 = time, 雨 = rain
Aoi
Aoi
Blue-green, jade
碧 = blue-green/jade
Katsura
Katsura
Laurel, katsura tree
桂 = katsura/laurel tree
Aya
Aya
Twill, design
綾 = twill weave/design
Ei
Ei
Eternal, forever
永 = eternal/forever
Minoru
Minoru
Harvest, ripen
稔 = ripen/harvest
Sho
Sho
Auspicious, lucky
祥 = auspicious/good omen
Shiori
Shiori
Bookmark, guide
栞 = bookmark/guide
Sou
Sou
Pale blue, vast
蒼 = pale blue/vast
Mare
Mare
Rare, uncommon
稀 = rare/uncommon
Rei
Rei
Sound of jewels
玲 = tinkling of jade
Japanese names are chosen for the meaning of their kanji — not just their sound. Here are curated lists for the most searched meanings.
Japanese given names (名前, namae) are composed of one to three kanji characters, each carrying its own meaning and pronunciation. The combination of kanji creates the name's full meaning. For example, the name 美咲 (Misaki) combines 美 (mi, beautiful) and 咲 (saki, bloom) to mean “beautiful bloom.”
The same reading can often be written with different kanji choices, each with a slightly different nuance. The name “Akane” can be written as 茜 (madder red plant) or 朱音 (vermillion sound) — same pronunciation, very different imagery. This is why knowing the kanji of a Japanese name matters.
In Japan, names are traditionally written surname first, then given name. On international documents, Japanese people sometimes reverse this order. Japanese names do not use spaces between the surname and given name when written in kanji.
Most Japanese names use kanji, but some — especially girls' names — are written in hiragana. A name like さくら (sa-ku-ra) is the hiragana form of 桜 (Sakura). Hiragana names are considered softer and more traditional. They are also easier for young children to read and write.
Katakana is rarely used for Japanese given names, but it appears in foreign names written in Japanese — for example, アミット (Amito) for the name “Amit.”
In Japan, parents typically choose a name before birth and conduct a naming ceremony called meimei (命名) within seven days. The name is written on formal washi paper and displayed in the home.
Common themes in Japanese names include:
What are the most popular Japanese female names?
Popular Japanese female names include 桜 (Sakura, cherry blossom), 葵 (Aoi, hollyhock), 花 (Hana, flower), 結衣 (Yui, tie/connect), 凛 (Rin, dignified), 美咲 (Misaki, beautiful bloom), and 陽菜 (Hina, sunlight). Most Japanese female names draw meaning from nature, flowers, and light.
What are the most popular Japanese male names?
Common Japanese male names include 蓮 (Ren, lotus), 颯 (Hayate, swift wind), 大翔 (Hiroto, great soar), 湊 (Minato, harbour), 龍 (Ryuu, dragon), 健 (Ken, strong), and 誠 (Makoto, sincerity). Male Japanese names often use kanji for strength, nature, and virtue.
What Japanese names mean strength?
Japanese names meaning strength include: 勇 (Isamu, bravery), 剛 (Tsuyoshi, strong/hard), 力 (Chikara, power), 武 (Takeshi, warrior), 豪 (Gou, mighty), 龍 (Ryuu, dragon), 虎 (Tora, tiger), 鷹 (Taka, hawk), 大翔 (Hiroto, great soar), and 雄大 (Yuudai, great hero). These are predominantly male names.
What Japanese names mean love or heart?
Japanese names related to love include: 愛 (Ai, love/affection), 心 (Kokoro, heart/mind), 恵 (Megumi, grace/blessing), 縁 (En, fate/bond), 結 (Yui, tie/bind together). The kanji 愛 is one of the most direct — it literally means love.
What Japanese names mean moon?
Japanese names meaning moon include: 月 (Tsuki, moon), 美月 (Mitsuki, beautiful moon), 暁 (Akatsuki, dawn/moonset). The kanji 月 (tsuki) appears in many compound names and means both moon and month in Japanese.
How do Japanese names work?
Japanese given names (名前, namae) are composed of one to three kanji characters, each with its own meaning and pronunciation. The combination of kanji creates the name's full meaning. For example, 美咲 (Misaki) combines 美 (mi, beautiful) and 咲 (saki, bloom) to mean "beautiful bloom." The same reading can be written with different kanji choices, each giving a different meaning and nuance.
What do Japanese names mean?
Japanese names typically draw meaning from nature (花=flower, 月=moon, 海=sea, 空=sky), virtues (誠=sincerity, 勇=bravery, 仁=kindness), aspirations (翔=soar, 輝=shine), or beauty (彩=colour, 雅=elegance). Parents choose kanji that reflect their wishes for the child. A name like 大翔 (Hiroto) literally means "great soar" — a wish for the child to achieve great things.
What are Japanese names written in Japanese (kanji)?
Japanese names are written using kanji — Chinese-derived characters each carrying a meaning. For example: 桜 = Sakura, 蓮 = Ren, 海 = Kai. The reading (pronunciation) of the kanji must be memorised separately. When meeting a Japanese person, it is common to ask how to read their name even if you can see the kanji, as many readings are not predictable from the kanji alone.
Are there Japanese names written in hiragana?
Yes. Some Japanese names are written entirely in hiragana (the phonetic alphabet) rather than kanji. Examples include さくら (Sakura), なな (Nana), あおい (Aoi). Hiragana names are considered soft and traditional. Girls' names are more commonly written in hiragana than boys'. Some parents choose hiragana to make the name easier to read or to avoid kanji with negative associations.
Can non-Japanese people use Japanese names?
There is no legal or cultural prohibition on anyone choosing a Japanese name. Many people outside Japan choose a Japanese name for artistic, cultural, or personal reasons. However, it is respectful to understand what your chosen kanji means and to be aware of the name's cultural context.
What are meaningful Japanese names?
All Japanese names carry meaning through their kanji. Some particularly meaningful choices: 誠 (Makoto, sincerity — a lifelong ideal), 光 (Hikaru, light — bringing brightness to the world), 恵 (Megumi, blessing — given with gratitude), 結 (Yui, to connect — bonds between people), 夢 (Yume, dream — ambition and hope). The meaningfulness of a Japanese name comes from deliberate kanji selection by parents.
How do Japanese character names differ from regular names?
Japanese character names in anime, manga, and fiction often use rare or poetic kanji to create striking meanings. Examples: 夜神月 (Yagami Light from Death Note — moon/light), 鬼滅 characters like 炭治郎 (Tanjiro — charcoal healing son). Fiction names sometimes use kanji combinations that would be unusual for real Japanese people, prioritising dramatic meaning over conventional readability.
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