Japanese Names That Start With A to Z and Their Meanings

Are you looking for the perfect Japanese name? Whether it’s for a character, a baby, or just out of curiosity, Japanese names hold profound meanings that reflect culture, nature, and tradition.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of Japanese names from A to Z, each with its meaning, to help you find inspiration. Let’s dive right in!

Why Choose a Japanese Name?

Japanese names are more than just words; they’re rich with history and symbolism.

They often incorporate kanji characters that can mean anything from nature and beauty to strength and resilience.

Choosing the right Japanese name means finding a balance between meaning, sound, and cultural significance.

A to Z Japanese Names and Their Meanings

Japanese Names Starting With A

• Aiko (愛子): Beloved child or love child.
• Akira (明): Bright or clear.
• Asuka (明日香): Tomorrow’s fragrance.
• Aoi (葵): Hollyhock or blue-green.
• Ayaka (彩花): Colorful flower.
• Atsuko (敦子) – Kind and sincere child.
• Arisa (有沙) – Sand of the shore or has sand.
• Amaya (雨夜) – Night rain.
• Ayumi (歩美) – Walking in beauty or progress.
• Azumi (あずみ / 安住) – Safe residence or tranquility.

Japanese Names Starting With B

• Benjiro (弁次郎): Peaceful second son.
• Banri (万里) – Ten thousand miles, vast distance.
• Beniko (紅子) – Crimson or deep red child.
• Bunta (文太) – Literary, cultured, or scholarly.
• Bishamon (毘沙門) – A reference to Bishamonten, the god of war and warriors in Japanese Buddhism.
• Borei (亡霊) – Phantom or departed spirit (used in poetic or literary names).
• Baku (獏) – A mythological dream-eating creature.
• Botan (牡丹) – Peony flower, symbolizing wealth and honor.
• Benzaiten (弁才天 / 弁財天) – A Buddhist deity associated with wisdom, music, and fortune.

• Baika (梅花) – Plum blossom, symbolizing beauty and perseverance.

Japanese Names Starting With C

• Chie (智恵): Wisdom or intellect.
• Chika (千佳): Thousand flowers.
• Chisato (千里): Thousand villages or long distance.
• Chihiro (千尋) – Thousand questions or vast knowledge.
• Chisato (千里) – Thousand miles, symbolizing great distance or wisdom.
• Chika (千佳) – A thousand blessings or wisdom.
• Chinatsu (千夏) – Thousand summers, representing warmth and energy.
• Chiemi (千恵美) – A thousand blessings of wisdom and beauty.
• Chaika (茶花) – Tea flower, a delicate and elegant name.
• Chiyo (千代) – A thousand generations, symbolizing longevity and eternity.

Japanese Names Starting With D

• Daichi (大地): Great land or earth.
• Daisuke (大輔): Great helper.
• Dai (大): Big or great.
• Daichi (大地) – Great land or vast earth.
• Daisuke (大輔) – Great helper or big support.
• Daigo (大悟) – Great enlightenment or wisdom.
• Danzo (団三 / 弾三) – Strong, determined, or bullet-like.
• Daitan (大胆) – Bold or courageous (often used as a name in modern settings).
• Daiya (大也) – Great and limitless.
• Deme (出目) – Prominent eyes, a rare but historical surname.

Japanese Names Starting With E

• Eiko (栄子): Splendid child.
• Emiko (恵美子): Blessed beautiful child.
• Etsuko (悦子): Joyful child.
• Eiji (英司 / 永次) – Excellent ruler or eternal second son.
• Emiko (恵美子) – Blessed, beautiful child.
• Etsuko (悦子) – Joyful child.
• Eito (永翔) – Eternal flight, symbolizing ambition and longevity.
• Eiichi (栄一) – Prosperous firstborn son.
• Erika (恵梨香) – Blessed pear fragrance (a Japanese adaptation of the Western name).
• Emina (恵美奈) – Blessed with beauty and harmony.

Japanese Names Starting With F

• Fumiko (文子): Child of abundant beauty or literature.
• Fuji (藤): Wisteria, symbolizing elegance.
• Fuyu (冬): Winter.
• Fumiko (文子) – Child of wisdom or literature.
• Fujiko (藤子) – Wisteria child, symbolizing elegance.
• Fumihiro (文宏) – Expanding wisdom or broad knowledge.
• Fuyuki (冬輝) – Winter radiance or shining winter.
• Futaba (双葉) – Two leaves, symbolizing new beginnings.
• Fukiko (富貴子) – Wealthy and noble child.
• Fusae (房江) – Blessed with a long lineage or heritage.

Japanese Names Starting With G

• Gen (元): Origin or beginning.
• Goro (五郎): Fifth son.
• Genji (源氏) – Origin clan, often associated with nobility.
• Genta (玄太) – Mysterious or profound greatness.
• Goro (五郎) – Fifth son, traditionally given to the fifth-born boy.
• Genzo (源蔵) – Source of prosperity or heritage.
• Ginji (銀次) – Silver second son, often linked to wealth.
• Gakuto (岳人) – Mountain person, symbolizing strength.
• Gisho (義昭) – Righteous brightness or honorable light.

• Gensuke (玄助) – Mysterious helper or wise assistant.

Japanese Names Starting With H

• Hana (花): Flower or blossom.
• Haruto (陽翔): Sunlight and flight.
• Hikaru (光): Light or radiance.
• Hideo (英夫) – Excellent or heroic man.
• Hinata (陽向) – Facing the sun, symbolizing warmth and positivity.
• Hotaru (蛍) – Firefly, representing fleeting beauty and light.
• Haruki (春輝) – Shining spring, symbolizing renewal and hope.
• Hatsumi (初美) – First beauty, symbolizing a fresh start.

Japanese Names Starting With I

• Ichiro (一郎): First son.
• Izumi (泉): Spring or fountain.
• Itsuki (樹): Tree or timber.
• Isamu (勇) – Courage or bravery.
• Iori (伊織) – A weaving of textiles, historically a noble name.
• Ikumi (郁美) – Fragrant beauty, symbolizing elegance.
• Ichika (一花) – One flower, representing uniqueness and beauty.
• Ibuki (息吹) – Breath or fresh breeze, symbolizing renewal.
• Inori (祈り) – Prayer or hope, representing spirituality.
• Ikuo (育夫) – Nurturing man, symbolizing kindness and wisdom.

Japanese Names Starting With J

• Jun (純): Pure or innocent.
• Jiro (次郎): Second son.
• Jin (仁): Benevolence or compassion.
• Junko (順子) – Obedient or pure child.
• Jomei (浄明) – Pure and bright.
• Jotaro (譲太郎) – Greatly understanding or generous first-born son.
• Jinpei (仁平) – Kindness and peace.
• Josuke (譲助) – Helpful and considerate.
• Junan (柔南) – Gentle and warm-hearted.
• Jisei (慈誠) – Compassionate sincerity.

Japanese Names Starting With K

• Kai (海): Ocean or sea.
• Kaito (海翔): Ocean and soar.
• Kaede (楓) – Maple tree, representing beauty and change.
• Katsumi (勝美) – Victorious beauty.
• Kenta (健太) – Strong and healthy.
• Kenji (健司) – Strong and intelligent second son.
• Kaori (香織) – Fragrance or woven aroma, symbolizing elegance.
• Kazuki (和輝) – Harmonious radiance, representing peace and brilliance.
• Keiko (恵子) – Blessed child.
• Kaname (要) – Vital point or essential part.
• Kotone (琴音) – Harp sound, symbolizing music and harmony.

Japanese Names Starting With L

• Leiko (麗子): Arrogant or beautiful child.
• Lila (莉来): Lily flower or coming lily.
• Lou (楼): Tower or chamber.
• Lina (里奈) – Village and apple tree, symbolizing nature and harmony.
• Lulu (瑠々) – Precious gem or shining.
• Lian (蓮) – Lotus flower, representing purity and enlightenment.
• Louka (楼花) – Towering flower, symbolizing strength and beauty.
• Lemika (麗美花) – Beautiful and elegant flower.
• Lan (蘭) – Orchid, symbolizing grace and refinement.

Japanese Names Starting With M

• Makoto (誠): Sincerity or truth.
• Mika (美香): Beautiful fragrance.
• Misaki (美咲): Beautiful blossom.
• Masaru (勝) – Victory or excellence.
• Michiko (道子) – Child of wisdom or the right path.
• Mitsuki (美月) – Beautiful moon.
• Meiko (芽子) – Sprout child, symbolizing growth and new beginnings.
• Mamoru (守) – Protector or guardian.
• Mai (舞) – Dance, symbolizing grace and elegance.
• Mikio (幹雄) – Strong tree or sturdy hero.
• Midori (翠 / 緑) – Jade or green, representing nature and tranquility.
• Mizuki (瑞希) – Auspicious hope or blessed water.

Japanese Names Starting With N

• Naoko (直子): Honest child.
• Natsuki (夏希): Summer hope.
• Naoki (直樹) – Honest tree, symbolizing integrity and strength.
• Nanami (七海) – Seven seas, representing vastness and adventure.
• Natsuki (夏希) – Summer hope, symbolizing warmth and optimism.
• Nao (尚) – Esteemed or respected.
• Noboru (昇) – To rise or ascend, symbolizing progress.
• Noriko (典子) – Lawful or exemplary child.
• Nagisa (渚) – Shoreline, representing serenity and beauty.
• Natsumi (夏美) – Beautiful summer.
• Nobuyuki (信行) – Faithful and righteous journey.
• Nijiko (虹子) – Rainbow child, symbolizing diversity and hope.

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Japanese Names Starting With O

• Osamu (修): Discipline or study.
• Otoha (音葉) – Sound and leaf, symbolizing music and nature.
• Ouka (桜花) – Cherry blossom, representing beauty and transience.
• Osuke (雄介) – Brave and helpful.
• Orie (織恵) – Weaving blessings, symbolizing creativity and fortune.
• Otoya (音也) – Sound and harmony, often associated with music.
• Omi (近江) – A historical place name, symbolizing heritage.
• Okimi (興美) – Prosperous beauty.
• Otome (乙女) – Maiden or young lady, representing purity.
• Orito (織翔) – Weaving and flight, symbolizing creativity and ambition.

Japanese Names Starting With P

• Piko (ぴ子): Small or petite child (modern usage).
• Pasu (パス): Pass or step (rarely used).
• Paito (パイト) – Inspired by “light,” symbolizing brightness.
• Panna (パンナ) – Inspired by “pan” (bread), meaning warmth and nourishment.
• Pomi (ポミ) – A playful-sounding name with no direct kanji meaning.
• Purin (プリン) – Meaning “pudding,” often used as a cute nickname.
• Pachiko (パチ子) – Inspired by “pachi,” meaning lively or sparkly.
• Pareo (パレオ) – Meaning “pareo” (a wrap skirt), often associated with tropical vibes.
• Pechi (ぺち) – A unique and playful-sounding name.
• Pomu (ポム) – Inspired by “pomme” (apple in French), symbolizing sweetness.
• Pakari (パカリ) – Inspired by a bright flash or sudden light.

Japanese Names Starting With R

• Ren (蓮): Lotus flower.
• Rika (理香): True fragrance.
• Ryo (涼): Cool or refreshing.
• Riko (莉子) – Jasmine child, representing beauty and elegance.
• Ryo (涼) – Cool or refreshing, symbolizing calmness.
• Ryota (涼太) – Big refreshment, representing strength and tranquility.
• Reina (怜奈) – Wise and graceful.
• Riku (陸) – Land, symbolizing stability and strength.
• Ryunosuke (龍之介) – Dragon helper, often associated with power.
• Reiko (礼子) – Courteous child, representing manners and respect.
• Raiden (雷電) – Thunder and lightning, symbolizing energy and power.
• Ran (蘭) – Orchid, symbolizing beauty and refinement.

Japanese Names Starting With S

• Sora (空): Sky.
• Sakura (桜): Cherry blossom.
• Shin (真): True or genuine.
• Souta (蒼太) – Big blue, symbolizing vastness and wisdom.
• Sakura (桜) – Cherry blossom, representing beauty and transience.
• Shinji (真司) – True second son, symbolizing honesty and wisdom.
• Sara (更紗 / 沙羅) – Flowing silk or a type of tree, representing grace.
• Sho (翔) – To soar or fly, symbolizing ambition.
• Sayuri (小百合) – Little lily, representing purity and innocence.
• Shun (俊) – Talented or fast, symbolizing intelligence.
• Sumire (菫) – Violet flower, representing modesty and sincerity.
• Susumu (進) – To advance or progress.
• Seiji (誠司) – Sincere and righteous, symbolizing integrity.

Japanese Names Starting With T

• Takumi (匠): Artisan or craftsman.
• Taro (太郎): Eldest son.
• Tsubasa (翼): Wings.
• Tomoe (巴) – A circular pattern, often associated with strength and harmony.
• Tetsuya (哲也) – Wise and accomplished.
• Takahiro (貴弘) – Noble and vast, symbolizing honor.
• Tamaki (環 / 玉城) – Ring or jewel fortress, representing unity and strength.
• Taiga (大河) – Great river, symbolizing strength and flow.
• Terumi (輝美) – Shining beauty.
• Toshio (俊雄) – Talented and heroic.

Japanese Names Starting With U

• Ume (梅): Plum blossom.
• Umi (海) – Ocean, symbolizing vastness and depth.
• Utano (詩乃) – Poem, symbolizing beauty and expression.
• Uta (詩) – Song or poem, representing creativity.
• Umeko (梅子) – Plum blossom child, symbolizing resilience and beauty.
• Ukyo (右京) – Right capital, historically a noble name.
• Ureshi (嬉志) – Happiness and determination.
• Usagi (兎) – Rabbit, symbolizing agility and gentleness.
• Uran (羽蘭) – Feather and orchid, symbolizing grace.
• Ujiko (氏子) – Child of a noble family.
• Uryu (雨竜) – Rain dragon, representing power and mystery.

Japanese Names Starting With W

• Wakana (和奏) – Harmonious music, symbolizing peace and melody.
• Wataru (渉) – To cross over, representing journeys and progress.
• Wako (和子) – Harmonious child, symbolizing peace and unity.
• Warabi (蕨) – Bracken fern, representing nature and resilience.
• Wasabi (山葵) – Japanese horseradish, symbolizing strength and sharpness.
• Watariko (渡子) – Child who crosses, symbolizing adventure.
• Wakumi (湧水) – Spring water, representing purity and renewal.
• Wakaba (若葉) – Young leaves, symbolizing growth and youth.
• Wazuki (和月) – Harmonious moon, symbolizing peace and beauty.
• Wakanae (若苗) – Young seedling, representing new beginnings.

Japanese Names Starting With Y

• Yuki (雪 / 幸) – Snow or happiness, symbolizing purity and joy.
• Yui (結衣) – Tied garment, representing connection and harmony.
• Yamato (大和) – Great harmony, symbolizing unity and tradition.
• Yoshiko (良子) – Good child, representing virtue and kindness.
• Yori (頼) – Trust or reliability.
• Yasuhiro (康弘) – Peaceful and vast, symbolizing stability.
• Yume (夢) – Dream, representing aspirations and hope.
• Yoshinori (義則) – Righteous law, symbolizing justice.
• Yuuna (優奈) – Gentle and graceful.
• Yasuko (泰子) – Peaceful child.

Japanese Names Starting With Z

• Zen (善 / 禅) – Goodness or meditation, symbolizing virtue and peace.
• Zento (前途) – Future or journey ahead, representing hope.
• Zenzou (善蔵) – Good storage, often given to those with wisdom.
• Zetsu (絶) – Unique or unparalleled, symbolizing distinction.
• Zeiya (是矢) – Correct arrow, symbolizing precision and righteousness.
• Zuki (瑞希 – alternative reading) – Auspicious hope, representing blessings.
• Zankan (残歓) – Lingering joy, symbolizing lasting happiness.
• Zousuke (蔵助) – Helpful and wise, often used in older times.
• Zeiichi (是一) – True first, symbolizing authenticity.
• Zuiho (瑞宝) – Auspicious treasure, representing good fortune.

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How to Choose the Perfect Japanese Name?

Choosing a name isn’t just about picking something that sounds good. Consider these tips:

1. Understand the Meaning: Always check the kanji characters to ensure the name reflects the desired meaning.
2. Cultural Significance: Research if the name has historical or cultural ties.
3. Pronunciation: Make sure the name is easy to pronounce in your language.
4. Context Matters: The name should suit the person, character, or purpose.

Conclusion

Japanese names offer a beautiful blend of meaning, culture, and phonetics.

If you’re looking for a name for a child, a story character, or just out of interest, exploring these names alphabetically gives you a wealth of choices.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect name that resonates with your needs.

FAQs

1. Are Japanese names unisex?
Yes, many Japanese names like Ren and Hikaru are unisex and can suit anyone.

2. How do kanji affect name meanings?
Kanji characters have specific meanings, so the choice of kanji greatly influences the name’s significance.

3. Can non-Japanese people use Japanese names?
Yes, but it’s important to understand the cultural context and meaning behind the name.

4. What are popular Japanese names for boys?
Names like Haruto, Takumi, and Akira are popular for boys in Japan.

5. Are Japanese names inspired by nature?
Absolutely! Many names like Sora (sky) and Hana (flower) are derived from natural elements.