Anime Names

Although he goes by the alias Pain in Naruto, Nagato's name actually means "long-lasting gate." It is speculated that his name comes from famed 16th-century ninja Fujibayashi Nagato.

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

Lovely Japanese choice that would translate well cross-culturally.

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

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

This charming Japanese name, with two meanings every little boy would love to have, was briefly in the Canadian Top 100 in the early 20th Century. There are many famous bearers of the name, such as architect Isamu Noguchi and physicist Isamu Akasaki.

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.

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

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

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!

Unisex Japanese name seen on a character in the Haikyū!! manga and anime series.

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

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

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.

Common Japanese name among Gen X women.

Kakyuu was adapted to a name for the character Princess Kakyuu of the Sailor Moon franchise. Kakyuu translates to "fireball," and is not a given name in Japan.

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

Queen Nehelenia is a villain in the Sailor Moon anime franchise. Her name is likely a reference to both the mineral nepheline — as many Sailor Moon characters are named after minerals — and Nehalennia, a German or Celtic goddess.