Anime Names

Kin was a popular girl name in Japan during the 18th and 19th centuries, after which it fell out of use.

Setsuna was derived from a Buddhist term meaning "split second," originally the Sanskrit word ksana. It is more popular among fictional characters than real babies.

An auspicious name for a first-born son with Japanese heritage. Some may be familiar with the name Yuichi from the anime series Kanon.

Common Japanese male name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Though it appears as if it could be Irish, Cilan is an invented name from the Pokemon universe, derived directly from the word "cilantro."

Featured in several anime series.

Ayako is a very common feminine name in Japan, where it is the name of Princess Ayako of Takamado (now Ayako Moriya), formerly of the Imperial House of Japan.

Chibi is Japanese slang for someone or something small (and typically cute). It is not used as a given name in the real world, however, a number of anime characters are named Chibi.

Light, bright unisex name. Hikari is more popular for girls in Japan these days.

Japanese surname and given name, with multiple meanings dependent on kanji used.

Notably used on the character Namida Suzumeno in the Naruto universe. True to her name's meaning, Namida's special power involves crying.

Shikamaru Nara is one of the most popular characters from Naruto, although this has not translated to any American or many Japanese babies being given the name.

The name Drasna was created for a Pokémon character. Her name was derived from the Latin botanical name dracaena, which in turn is from drakōn, the Greek word for "dragon." Fittingly, Drasna used Dragon-type Pokémon in battle.

The Naruto character writes his name with kanji that give it the meaning "dimension." Others are possible, including "interval," "manifestation of a celestial being," and "merciful eye."

Himawari is the Japanese word for sunflower and modern word name. The most famous bearer is Himawari Akaho, a silver-medal-winning basketball player from Japan. Himawari is more frequently used as a character name, as in Himawari Uzumaki from Naruto and the anime series Himawari!

Tenten is not a given Japanese name, but it was used for a character in the Naruto franchise.

Zankoku has two ties to anime: as a character in Naruto and in the song Zankoku na tenshi no tēze (A Cruel Angel's Thesis), which was used as the theme song for the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Depending on the kanji used, this sweet name can have links to the number three, making it perfect for a third child.

Cute-sounding name that refers to the seven colors of the rainbow, making it especially good for a rainbow baby.