Anime Boy Names

  1. Eren
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "saint, holy person"
    • Description:

      Eren ranks among the Top 50 boys' names in Turkey, among the Top 1000 in England and Wales, and is virtually unknown in the US. With a sound that's similar to Aaron or Erin, it may be mistaken for one of those more familiar choices but does make an easily-translated and attractive name. Eren entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, with parents potential inspired by the character Eren Yeager in the popular Japanese manga series Attack on Titan.
  2. Brendan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "prince"
    • Description:

      According to Irish legend, Saint Brendan the Voyager was the first European to touch American soil, and his name has been established here for decades, peaking in the late 1990s.
  3. Madara
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "impure"
    • Description:

      As a masculine name, Madara has roots in Japanese. It's not used as a given name, rather it was chosen for the character Madara Uchiha in the Naruto series.
  4. Titan
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defender"
    • Description:

      This name comes from Greek mythology, where the Titans were a band of immortal, powerful giants.
  5. Jiraiya
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "young thunder"
    • Description:

      The name Jiraiya was created in 1806 for yomi-hon — a type of book from the Edo Period — called Jiraiya Monogatari. The character was revived later in the century for a folk tale series Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari, in which Jiraiya, a ninja, shapeshifts into a giant toad.
  6. Erwin
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "respected friend"
    • Description:

      One of the many names with a strong "er" sound, like Bertram and Ernest, that was huge in the 1920s and is languishing in style limbo now. One famous bearer is the physicist Erwin Schrödinger, as in Schrödinger's cat.
  7. Darien
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Darian
    • Meaning:

      "rich, kingly"
    • Description:

      The Darien spelling, which relates to the posh Connecticut town, peaked at Number 393 in 1994 but more recently has been just hanging on at the bottom of the Top 1000. Still, a name with an appealing sound and feel that may ascend again.
  8. Kaisen
    • Origin:

      Variation of Kaison
    • Description:

      Kai is the it syllable of the moment, spawning this Kai - Jason hybrid. Kaisen made the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, along with similar name Kaizen.
  9. Shoto
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "burn and freeze"
    • Description:

      If you encounter this name in the real world, it may be written using kanji that mean "bright person," "happy person," "blessed person," or other related meanings. However, in the anime series My Hero Academia, character Shoto Todoroki's name is written in kanji that mean "burn" and "freeze," referencing his powers.
  10. Brook
    • Origin:

      English nature name
    • Meaning:

      "small stream"
    • Description:

      Now that the popularity of Brooke is waning, and surname style variant Brooks is on the rise, Brook seems live a newly fresh nature-inspired option.
  11. Daisuke
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "great help"
    • Description:

      A relatively popular Japanese name with cool nickname potential and a vibrant sound.
  12. Yuji
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "relaxed and caring"
    • Description:

      Yuji is among the most common male names in Japan, in part due to its positive meaning. Americans may recognize it from the anime series Jujustu Kaisen as the name of the humanistic and compassionate protagonist.
  13. Gaara
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "demigod who I love; demigod who loves himself"
    • Description:

      Gaara is a character in the Naruto universe given a one-of-a-kind name. The first two elements in his name mean "I love," while the final kanji is related to the Buddhist asuras, or demigods. The meaning of Gaara can be read as "demigod who loves himself" and "demigod who I [Gaara's mother] love." Both interpretations align with the character.
  14. Makoto
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "sincerity, truth"
    • Description:

      Unisex Japanese name more often given to boys.
  15. Eijiro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "reflective second son"
    • Description:

      Also written as Eijirō or Eijirou, this name was traditionally borne by second-born sons.
  16. Mitsuki
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "full moon; beautiful moon; moonlight; snake vessel"
    • Description:

      Traditionally, this name is written with kanji that give it lovely meanings of "full moon," "moonlight," or similar. The character Mitsuki in Naruto uses kanji that denote the meaning "snake vessel," appropriate given he can summon magical snakes.
  17. Naruto
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "maelstrom; roaring gate"
    • Description:

      Best known as the name of Naruto Uzumaki, the main character in the Naruto anime series. It's also a common place name in Japan—the Naruto whirlpools are said to have inspired the name of the manga character.
  18. Sai
    • Origin:

      Hindi or Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "holy or difference"
    • Description:

      Sai is a name used in India to honor Shirdi Sai Baba, a spiritual master revered by both Hindus and Muslims.
  19. Takashi
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "noble; prosperous; venerable"
    • Description:

      Common Japanese name associated with contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.
  20. Kuro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "ninth son; black"
    • Description:

      Traditionally given to the ninth-born son, which is a rarity nowadays.