Japanese Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
- Takeo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"strong as bamboo"Description:
Well used in Japan, appreciated for its powerful meaning.
- Yoko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"good girl; ocean child"Description:
There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.
- Ishi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"stone"Description:
Connotes a strong, solid character.
- Naoko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"obedient child"Description:
Naoko is a common Japanese name with an admirable meaning, which, depending on how it's written, can translate to obedient, straight, honest, or green child. Naoko can also be spelled Nahoko.
- Jiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"second son"Description:
Commonly used Japanese name -- and not only for a second son.
- Jin
Origin:
Japanese or ChineseMeaning:
"tenderness, gentleness; gold"Description:
Similarity to the English name Jean could be a plus in a Japanese-American or Chinese-American family.
- Katana
Origin:
Persian or JapaneseMeaning:
"honorable or sword"Description:
Katana is a male name in Old Persian and a well-used word in Japanese, but as a girls' name is these days found more often as Kitana, the name of a princess in the video game Mortal Kombat II.
- Hiroto
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"great flying"Description:
A very popular Japanese boys' name whose characters refer to the constellation Ursa Major. Short form Hiro might work better in the West, as may another popular Japanese boys' name, Ren.
- Hiroshi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"generous"Description:
Several artistic Hiroshis make this one of the more plausible Japanese imports.
- Kiaria
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"fortunate"Description:
Kiaria is pretty but sure to prove confusing given all the more familiar Kiara and Keira variations out there.
- Umeko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"plum-blossom child, patient"Description:
Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different.
- Hoshi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"star"Description:
Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name.
- Sanjiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"admired, praised"Description:
Interesting name with a cool, upbeat sound.
- Reiko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"pretty child"Description:
Dainty and doll-like.
- Seiji
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"lawful and just"Description:
Popular Japanese name exemplified by the distinguished conductor Seiji Ozawa.
- Kazuo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"first son or harmonious man"Description:
Kazuo is a boys' name well-used in Japan though not well-known in the U.S. Kazuo Ishiguro is the author of Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
- Ryo
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"fact, reality, understand; distant; defy"Description:
A simple, importable Japanese name that is used for both males and females and carries a multitude of meanings depending on which character is used to denote it. While most westerners pronounced it rye-oh, its real pronunciation is closer to ree-uh. A similar male name, Ryu, means "dragon."
- Sachiko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"child of joy"Description:
Sachiko was one of the first Japanese names familiar to Americans when it was used in the 1950s by actress Shirley Maclaine for her daughter, called the adorable short form Sachi. While Sachiko does not rank on the US Social Security baby names list, Sachi was given to 25 girls in the most recent year counted.
- Kyoko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"mirror"Description:
One of the most familiar and attractive Japanese names, though rarely heard outside that culture.
- Kyoto
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Kyoto is a Japanese city name not yet on the map for babies, but why not?