While Japanese adults are associated with their family name, children’s names are chosen for many reasons surrounding beauty, nature, personality and heritage. Baby names in Japanese tend to be more evergreen today where they lose popularity over the years. This means trends and popularity of names change frequently with a diverse collection of names.
Japanese names are composed of Kanji characters. Kanjis have many combinations and meanings, so sometimes the only true meaning of a name must come from the parents.
The top Japanese female baby names come from a mix of influences from the rise of anime characters and two syllable names to more exotic names along with names focused on happiness. Read on for the top Japanese baby names from Truly Mama.
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Japanese Girl Names
Aimi (EY-MAY)
Origin: Japanese
Means love, affection, friend (Ami)
Aina (EY-NA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: love, green
Akari (EY-KA-RE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: red pear tree
Asuka (EY-SU-KA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: bird, fly
Atsuko (UHT-SOO-KOW)
Origin: Japanese- name of an main-belt asteroid and actress in Japan
Meaning: warm, sincere, kind, child
Chiasa (CHEE-AH-SA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: one thousand mornings
Chihiro (CH-HI-RO)
Origin: Japanese- name of anime character
Meaning: seek, search
Chiyo (CH-IY-YOW)
Origin: Japanese- character in Memoirs of a Geisha and popular Edo period poet
Meaning: thousand generations, thousand worlds, eternal
Emi (E-ME)
Origin: Japanese-popular name of athletes, actresses and singers
Meaning: smile, blessed, beautiful
Emika (E-ME-KA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: blossoming flower
Etsuko (EH-CHOO-KOW)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: joy or pleased, child
Fusae (FU-SY-YA)
Origin: Japanese- name of a leader in women’s suffrage movement
Meaning: kindness, house of blessing
Hana (HA-NA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: flower, blossom
Hina (HI-NA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: good vegetables, good greens
Himari (HI-MA-REE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sunflower, gold hollyhock
Ichika (ICH-KA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: best wonder, best flower, thousand flowers
Iroha (E-RO-HA)
Origin: Japanese- anime character
Meaning: colorful leaf
Kaede (KAH-EH-DEH)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: maple
Kanna (KAH-NA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: pear, guidance
Kaori (KAH-O-REE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: aroma, fragrance
Kasumi (KA-SOO-MEE)
Origin: Japanese- name of Japanese ship in Pearl Harbor
Meaning: mist, force of nature, pure
Katana (KA-TA-NA)
Origin: Japanese- name of character in Avatar- The Last Airbender
Meaning: sword,
Keiko (KAY-KO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: blessing, beloved child
Kei (KAY)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: mercy, blessing
Koharu (KO-HA-RU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: little sun
Kokoro (KO-KO-RO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: cherry blossoms of the heart
Mai(MA-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: love, linen robe, dance
Mei (ME-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: budding life
Mika (MEE-Kuah)
Origin: Japanese, name of a few magna characters
Meaning: beautiful character, sweet, bringer of beauty
Mio (ME-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: waterway
Miu (ME-UW)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: beautiful feather
Natsumi (NAT-SU-MEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: summer, life, sea
Niko (NE-KO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: two lakes
Nozomi (NO-ZO-ME)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: heart of hope
Reina (RE-I-NA)
Origin: Japanese- popular in Yiddish and Spanish
Meaning: wise, queen
Rin (RI-N)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: dignified
Sara (SA-RA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: vivid blossom
Sakiko (SA-KI-KO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: blossom, child
Sakura (SA-KU-RA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: cherry blossom
Shinju (SHIN-JU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: pearl
Suki (SOO-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: loved one
Suzume SOO-ZOO-MEE
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: little sparrow
Takara (TA-KA-RA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: treasure, Jewel
Toshiko (TO-SH)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: clever, wise child
Tsumugi (SOO-MOO-GEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: thread, thread prayer
Ume (U-MEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: apricot
Yasu (YA-SU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: smooth, peaceful
Yayoi (YA-YO-I)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: genuine, life
Yua (YU-A)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: affection, blinding love
Yui (YU-I)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: success, helpful fountain
Japanese Boy Names
Japanese boys’ names have a range of themes from historical figures and royalty to literary characters and nature. A recent trend in Japanese boys’ names in the past few years is names ending in to, ~ki, and ~ta.
Aoki (A-O-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: blue tree
Aoto (A-O-TO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: blue sky, big blue
Aran (EH-RUHN)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: color, vividness
Asahi (UH-SAA-HEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sunlight
Botan (BO-TAN)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: peony
Daiki (DIE-KEE)
Origin: Japanese- name of many athletes
Meaning: big, great, valuable
Daisuke (DIE-SU-KEE)
Origin: Japanese- name of many Olympic athletes
Meaning: great ruler, big
Eiji (I-GEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: eternity
Eito (E-TO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: prosperous
Gin (JIN)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: silver
Goro (GAY-OAR-OH)
Origin: Japanese, Mortal Kombat character
Meaning: enlightened son
Haruki (HA-RU-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: shine brightly, born in spring
Haruto (HA-RU-TO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: flying, good flight
Hideki (HUH-DEH -KEE)
Origin: Japanese-professional athletes, video game designers
Meaning: excellent, strong
Hinata (HE-NA-TA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: big positive, boldly positive
Hiroshi (HUH-RO-SHE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: generous
Hiroto (HUH-RO-TO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: big flight
Hitomu (HUH-TOE-MOO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: intellect
Hoshi (HO-SH-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: star
Ichiro (EE-CHEE-RO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: first son
Isao (E-SAH-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: honor
Itsuki (KAA-IY-RIY)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: woods
Kaito (KAA-IY-TOW)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sea, ocean, Ursa Major
Kenji (KEN-JEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: intelligent (second) son
Koki (KO-KE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: vast, strong
Koji (KO-JEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: little one
Kouma (KO-U-MA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: ray of hope
Makoto (MA-KOH-TOH)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sincere, honest, good
Masaru (MA-SA-ROO)
Origin: Japanese-samurai who is the “father of the Japanese railways”, Olympic champ
Meaning: victory, excel
Michi (ME-CH-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: path
Minato (MIN-AT-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sheltered harbor
Naoki (NA-O-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: tree, honest, straight
Natsuo (NAT-SU-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: birth of summer
Nobu (NO-BOO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: faith
Nori (NO-REE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: rule
Rai (RA-I)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: thunder, lightning
Reiji (REY-JH-IY)
Origin: Japanese- Pokemon character, voice actor
Meaning: salute, rule
Reo (REY-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: mountain summit
Riku (RE-KU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: wise sky
Sōta (SO-TA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: smoothly, quick
Souta (SO-U-TA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: big performance, big action
Takao (TA-KAY-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: hero
Tatsuo (TAT-SU-O)
Origin: Japanese- name of many athletes
Meaning: masculine dragon
Toshi (TOE-SH-I)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: wise
Yama (YA-MA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: mountain
Yoshi (YO-SH-I)
Origin: Japanese- video game character, aut
Meaning: peaceful, silent, quiet
Yuito (YU-E-TO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: soar to the outcome
Yuma (YU-MA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: calm truth
Yuuto (YU-U-TO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: long lasting person, permanence
Yuya (YU-YA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: carefree
Gender Neutral Japanese Names
Gender neutral Japanese names have a wide variety of themes from culture and artistic form to the natural world and family.
Akimi (AH-KEE-ME)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: autumn fruit
Akira (AH-KEE-RA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: bright or clear
Aoi (A-O-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: bluish, hollyhock
Asa (AH-SA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: healer
Chiko (CH-IY-KOW)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: morning child, pledge
Fuji (FOO-JEE)
Origin: Japanese- named after mountain
Meaning: dweller near the river
Haruka (HA-ROO-KA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: spring, fragrance
Haru (HA-RU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: light, spring
Hayate (HA-YA-THE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sound of wind
Hazuki (HAH-ZUU-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: month of leaves
Hibiki (HI-BI-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: echo
Hinata (HEE-NAH-TA)
Origin: Japanese- name of female magna character
Meaning: toward the sun
Hiro (HEE-ROH)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: generosity
Ibuki (EE-BUU-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: brave
Izumi (EE-ZOO-MEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: spring truth, fountain
Jona (JO-NA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: dove
Jun (JOON)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: pure, genuine
Kairi (KAA-IY-RIY)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: ocean village
Kana (KAA-NA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: powerful
Kaoru (KA-O-ROO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: fragrance
Katsumi (KAHTS-MEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: succeed, excel
Kayo (KEY-OH)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: celebrate, congratulate
Kin (KI-N)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: gold
Kuma (KU-MA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: bear
Matoi (MAH-TO-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: wind
Midori (MEE-DO-REE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: green
Mitsue (MEE-TSUU-E)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: branch of light
Mitsuki (MIT-SU-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: full moon
Mitsuru (MIT-SU-RU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: satisfy
Nagisa (NA-GYEE-SA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: beach
Nao (NA-O)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: honesty
Naomi (NAI-OH-MEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: self (boy), straight (girl)
Natsuki (NAT-SU-KEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: summer
Nozomi (N-UH-Z-OH-M-EE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: wish, hope
Ohta (OH-TA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: free from impurities, eyes of almighty God
Ono (O-NO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: small field
Ren (REHN)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: love, lotus
Rin (REEN)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: dignified
Satsuki (SAT-SU-KEY)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: May
Seiko (SE-KO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: truth, force
Soma (SO-MA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: smoothly
Sora (SO-RA)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: sky
Takemi (TAH-KEH-MEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: bamboo
Taru (TA-RU)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: small plant
Tomo (TOE-MO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: friend
Yoshika (YO-SHUH-KAH)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: thanks
Yoshimi (YOW-SHIY-MIY)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: good, fondness, beauty
Yuki (YOO-KYEE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: snow, happiness
Yuri (YOO-REE)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: abundant ideals
Yuu (YOO)
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: tenderness
