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Writer's pictureKostas Drakatos

Best Japanese baby names and their meanings

Are you on the lookout for some gorgeous baby names? Our list is beautiful and filled with unique Japanese baby names!


If you’re eager to learn, read on and find out the best Japanese baby names and their meanings! 


What makes them a perfect choice for your little bundle of joy? 


Japanese baby

Japanese names often capture life’s essence and beauty. Some belong to great emperors, while others tell teachable stories about human life.


A lot of them stand as shining symbols of life’s transient and beautiful nature, being inspired by flowers or seasons!


As Japan’s beauty expands its mesmerizing magic, you can grab ahold of it everywhere! 


If you’re interested in immersing yourself in the inspiring cultural tapestry of Japan or paying homage to your ancestry, don’t fret! 


We’ll set the tone for your journey! As we delve deep into Japanese names, let’s reflect on the timeless beauty vividly painted in a traditional Japanese sentiment:


In this article:


Hito wa iza / Kokoro mo shirazu / Furusato wa / Hana zo mukashi no / Ka ni nioikeru.” (The human heart is unknowable. But in my birthplace the flowers still smell the same as always).


Japanese Boy Names

  1. Akira: Bright, clear

  2. Arata: Fresh

  3. Daichi: Large earth

  4. Eiji: Depending on the Kanji character it can mean:

    1.  栄治, "prosperity, peace"

    2. 英治, "great, peace"

    3. 英二, "great, second"

    4. 永次, "eternity, next"

  5. Hajime: Beginning

  6. Haruki: Shining sun

  7. Haruto: Sun flying

  8. Hayato: Falcon person

  9. Hideki: Excellent, bright tree

  10. Hikaru: Light, radiance

  11. Hiroki: Large sparkle, radiance, brilliance

  12. Hiroshi: Generous

  13. Isamu: Courageous

  14. Itsuki: Tree

  15. Jun: Pure

  16. Kaito: Ocean flying

  17. Kaito: Sea, ocean, soar, fly

  18. Kazuki: Peaceful tree

  19. Kazuo: First son

  20. Kazuya: Peaceful one

  21. Kei: Respect

  22. Keiji: Respect second son

  23. Ken: Strong, healthy

  24. Kenji: Strong, healthy second son

  25. Kenta: Large strong, healthy

  26. Koki: Hope

  27. Kotaro: Small boy

  28. Kyo: Cooperation, capital; village, apricot

  29. Makoto: Sincerity

  30. Manabu: Learn

  31. Masaki: Correct tree

  32. Masaru: Victory

  33. Masato: Correct person

  34. Minoru: Truth

  35. Naoki: Honest timber tree

  36. Naoto: Honest person

  37. Noboru: Ascend

  38. Osamu: Discipline, study

  39. Ren: Lotus

  40. Riku: Land

  41. Ryo: Excellent, refreshing, cool, distant; fact, reality or dragon

  42. Ryoichi: Good first son

  43. Ryota: Refreshing, splendid, strong

  44. Satoshi: Wise, intelligent

  45. Seiji: Lawful, just

  46. Shin: Real, true

  47. Shinichi: True or first

  48. Shinji: True second, true second son

  49. Sho: To fly

  50. Shota: It has various meanings depending on the kanji character:

    1.  消太, "erase, thick"

    2. 正太, "correct, thick"

    3. 翔太, "soar, thick"

    4. 章太, "composition, thick"

    5. 奨太, "reward, thick"

    6. 将太, "general, thick"

  51. Sora: Sky

  52. Souta: Sudden sound of wind

  53. Taiga: Big, gracious

  54. Takahiro: Of great value, nobility

  55. Takashi: Prosperous

  56. Takuma: True, genuine

  57. Takumi: Artisan, skilled

  58. Takuya: Gentle, assist

  59. Taro: Big son

  60. Tomo: Friend

  61. Tomoya: Wise one

  62. Toshi: Wise

  63. Yasu: Peace

  64. Yasuo: Peaceful man

  65. Yoshi: Good, respectful

  66. Yoshio: Joyful life

  67. Yoshito: Ceremonial person

  68. Yu: Gentle

  69. Yuji: Yu conveys divine intervention, protection, hero, or abundant, combined with ji, signifying two, officer, or boss.

  70. Yujiro: Brave warrior or courageous leader

  71. Yuki: Happiness; snow

  72. Yuma: Truthful

  73. Yuto: Tender, gentle


Japanese girl names:

  1. Ai: Love, affection

  2. Aiko: Beloved child

  3. Airi: Love, affection

  4. Akemi: Bright beautiful

  5. Asuka: This name can have various meanings depending on the different combinations of the kanji:

    1. 飛鳥, "fly, bird"

    2. 明日香, "tomorrow, fragrant"

    3. 明日花, "tomorrow, flower"

    4. 明日華, "tomorrow, flower/splendor"

    5. 亜寿花, "Asia, long life, flower"

  6. Ayaka: Colorful flower

  7. Ayame: Meaning iris in Japanese language.

  8. Ayano: Color, design

  9. Chika: Wisdom, intellect; flower

  10. Eiko: Blessing, favor, grace

  11. Emi: Beautiful blessing

  12. Fumiko: Child of abundant beauty

  13. Hana: Flower

  14. Haruka: Distant, remote

  15. Haruna: Spring Vegetables

  16. Hikari: Light

  17. Hinata: Sunny place

  18. Hitomi: Pupil of the eye

  19. Ichika: One thousand flowers

  20. Kanako: Child of the flower

  21. Kaori: Fragrance

  22. Karin: Fragrant tree

  23. Kasumi: Mist

  24. Kiko: Hopeful child, joyful child

  25. Kiyoko: Pure child

  26. Mai: Dance

  27. Maiko: Child of dance

  28. Maki: Truth tree

  29. Masami: Become beautiful

  30. Megumi: Blessing

  31. Midori: Green

  32. Miho:  Beautiful grain, protected beauty

  33. Mika: Beautiful fragrance

  34. Minami: South

  35. Mio: Beautiful cherry blossom

  36. Miyako: Beautiful night child

  37. Miyu: Beauty, gentleness, and superiority

  38. Momoka: Hundreds of flowers

  39. Nana: Seven

  40. Nanami: Seven seas

  41. Naomi: Honest beautiful

  42. Natsuki: Summer hope

  43. Noriko: Law, order child; ceremony

  44. Nozomi: Hope

  45. Rei: Lovely bell

  46. Riko: White jasmine, reason, logic

  47. Rin: Dignified

  48. Ryoko: Refreshing child

  49. Saki: Blossom of hope

  50. Sakura: Cherry blossom

  51. Sana: Brilliant, splendid

  52. Sayaka: Clear one

  53. Sayuri: Little lily

  54. Shiori: Again, depending on the Japanese characters, this name can mean:

    1. 栞, "bookmark/guide"

    2. 撓, "lithe"

    3. 詩織, "poem, weave"

    4.   汐里, ''tide, village''

  55. Shizuka: Quiet summer

  56. Sora: Sky

  57. Sumire: Violet (flower)

  58. Takara: Treasure

  59. Tomomi: Beautiful friend

  60. Tsubaki: Camellia flower

  61. Yoko: Child of sunlight

  62. Yoshiko: Good child

  63. Yui: Gentleness, kindness, and superiority

  64. Yuka: reason, fragrance, and flower

  65. Yukari: Scent, reason, beautiful

  66. Yuko: Gentle child

  67. Yumi: Reason, beautiful

  68. Yuna: Gentle

  69. Yuriko: Lily child

  70. Yuzuki: Gentle or beautiful moon


Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the prettiest Japanese name?

Filled with the immersive nature of life and brimming with breathing light here are the most beautiful Japanese names:


Japanese baby girl names:

  1. Ai (愛): This popular Japanese name breathes the healing power of love with its crystal-clear sound! It directly translates to “love” and it’s a popular girl name!

  2. Hana (花 or はな): Hana means “flower” - it’s like a smooth-petalled flower dancing in the balmy breeze thanks to its rhythmic sound!

  3. Kai (海): Kai is a lovely name for a girl and means "sea" in Japanese.

  4. Nara(奈良): A “flower from heaven,” that would grace your beautiful child with endless blessings.  


Japanese baby boy names:

  1. Sora (空) - This name means "sky.” It could be the perfect symphony in your baby’s life!

  2. Izumi(泉): A unique baby name that means “spring.” Let it make your cutie’s childhood a dream place full of spring flowers.

  3. Kenji(健二): The most popular Japanese baby boy name! It means “to be in good health” - an all-embracing promise of a blessed life for every child!


What are rare Japanese names?

What unique Japanese names are out there? We’ve created a list of the least common Japanese names and their meanings:


Unique Japanese names and meanings:

Japanese baby girl names:
  1. Ahma: “Black rain

  2. Chiharu (千春): "A Thousand Springs"

  3. Hotaru (蛍):  "Firefly"


Boy names:
  1. Ren (蓮):  "Lotus"


Unisex: 
  1. Asuka (飛鳥):  "Flying bird"

  2. Yuzuki (柚月):  "Grapefruit moon"


What is a cute name in Japanese?

Let’s explore some cute Japanese names and find the one that fits your baby:


Feminine names:

  1. Aomi (あおみ): Meaning “ocean”.

  2. Chikako (智佳子): Meaning “friendly”.

  3. Cho (蝶): Meaning “butterfly”

  4. Emi (えみ): Meaning “beautiful painting”.

  5. Emica (咲花): Meaning “beautiful”.


Baby boy names:

  1. Koji(浩二 or 光司): Meaning “little one.”

  2. Yuto (優斗): Meaning “excellence, superiority, gentleness.”

  3. Sota (颯太): Meaning “brisk wind.”

  4. Haru (春): Meaning "Spring."


What is a unique Japanese name for a girl?

Sakurako (桜子): This beautiful name will add an inspiring note to your magical journey!


"Sakura" (桜) means “cherry blossom” which is widely cherished in Japan for its captivating beauty, and "ko" (子), is a common suffix in female names meaning child. 


So, Sakurako can be translated to "child of the cherry blossoms."


A perfect pick for a beautiful child!


Final thoughts

Well, that’s the end of the story for now. We’ve gathered the best Japanese baby names and hope you’ve found inspiration in these names!


Best wishes in finding the perfect name for your cute baby!

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