Japanese names: male, female and their meaning

Japanese female names

Women's names differ from men's names in that they have a clearer translation and are quite easy to read. This is due to the fact that the most common reading for them is kun, and also their structure looks much simpler. However, exceptions to the rules are very rare. Also, only in female names can one find borrowings from other languages, with the exception of Chinese.

Azumi is a safe place to live
Azemi - thistle flower
Ai - love
Ayano - silk colors
Akemi - bright beauty
Aki - autumn, bright
Akiko - autumn child or smart child
Akira - bright, clear, dawn
Akane - shiny, red
Amaterezu - bright in the skies
Amaya - evening rain
Aoi - blue
Arizu - noble appearance
Asuka - fragrance
Asemi - morning beauty
Atsuko is a hardworking, warm child.
Aya - colorful or woven silk
Ayaka - colorful flower, fragrant summer
Ayako is an academic child
Ayam - iris
Banquo - a literary child
Janko is a pure child
June - obedient
Zhina – silver
Izumi - fountain
Izenemi - a woman who invites
Yoko is an ocean child, a confident child.
Yoshi - fragrant branch, good bay
Yoshiko - fragrant, good, noble child
Yoshshi - good
Kam - turtle (symbol of long life)
Kayao - beautiful generation, generation of increase
Keiko is a happy, respectful child
Kay - respectful
Kiku - chrysanthemum
Kimi - short for names starting with "Kimi"
Kimiko - history's beautiful child, dear child, reigning child
Kin - gold
Kyoko - child of the capital
Kotoun - the sound of a harp
Koheku - amber
Kumiko is a beautiful, long-lasting child
Kaed - maple
Kezu - branch, blessed, harmonious
Kazuko is a harmonious child
Kazumi - harmonious beauty
Kemeko - turtle (symbol of long life)
Keori - fragrance
Keoru - fragrance
Katsumi - victorious beauty
Marie - beloved
Megumi - blessed one
Miwa - beautiful harmony, three rings
Midori - green
Mizuki - beautiful moon
Mizeki - flower of beauty
Miyoko is a beautiful generation child, the third generation child
Mika - first sound
Miki - beautiful tree, three trees
Miko is a beautiful child of blessing
Minori - a beautiful harbor, a village of beautiful areas
Mineko is a beautiful child
Mitsuko - full child (blessings), bright child
Miho - a beautiful bay
Michi - trail
Michiko - a child on the right path, a thousand beauties of a child
Miyuki - beautiful happiness
Miyako is a beautiful child in March
Mommo - peach
Momo - a hundred blessings, a hundred rivers
Momoko - baby peach
Moriko - forest child
Madoka - calm
Mezumi - increased beauty, true purity
Maseko - correct, manage the child
Mazami - correct, graceful beauty
May - dance
Meiko - child's dance
Meyumi - true bow, true absorbed beauty
Maki - true report, tree
Maine is true
Menami - the beauty of love
Mariko is the true reason child
Mesa - short for names starting with "Masa"
Nana - seven
Naoki - an honest tree
Naomi is beauty first and foremost
Nobuko - a devoted child
Nori - short for names starting with "Nori"
Noriko - a child of principles
Neo - honest
Neoko is an honest child
Natsuko - year old child
Natsumi - summer beauty
Ran - water lily
Reiko is a beautiful, polite child
Rey is polite
Ren - water lily
Rika - appreciated fragrance
Rico - Jasmine's child
Ryoko is a good child
Sake - Cape
Setsuko is a moderate child
Sora - sky
Suzu - call
Suzumu - progressive
Suzyum - sparrow
Sumiko is a clear, thinking child, a pure child
Sayeri - small lily
Sekera - cherry blossom
Sekiko - blooming child, earlier child
Sengo - coral
Sechiko is a happy child
Teruko is a bright child
Tomiko - the child who preserved beauty
Tomoko - friendly, wise child
Toshi - emergency
Toshiko is a child of many years, a priceless child
Tsukiko - moon child
Takeko - tall, noble child
Tekera - treasure
Tamiko - Child of Abundance
Uzeji - rabbit
Umeko - child of the plum blossom
Ume-elv - plum blossom
Fuji - wisteria
Fumiko - the child who kept beauty
Hana - favorite or flower
Hideko is a gorgeous child
Hizeko - long-lived child
Hikeri - light or shining
Hikeru - light or bright
Hiro - widespread
Hiroko is a generous child
Hiromi - widespread beauty
Hitomi is a name usually given to girls with especially beautiful eyes.
Hoteru - firefly, lightning bug
Hoshi is a star
Heneko - loafer
Haruka is far away
Heruki - tree of springtime
Haruko - child of springtime
Harumi - the beauty of springtime
Chi - wisdom, thousand blessings
Chiyo - a thousand generations
Chiyoko - child of a thousand generations
Chika - wisdom
Chico is a wise child, a thousand blessings of a child
Chikeko - child of wisdom
Chinatsu is a thousand years old
Chiharu - one thousand springs
Chiesa - morning repeated a thousand times
Cho - butterfly
Shayori - bookmark, guide
Shig is an abbreviation for names starting with "Shij"
Shijeko - abundant child
Shizuka - quiet
Shizuko - calm the child down
Shika - a gentle deer
Shinju - a pearl
Eiko - long-lasting child, luxurious child
Eika - love song
Eiko - beloved child, child of love
Amy - the beauty of love
Eyumi - walk
Amy - smile
Emiko - smiling child
Eri is a lucky prize
Etsuko - a joyful child
Yuca - fragrant, friendly blossom
Yuki - happiness, snow
Yukiko - snow child or happy child
Yuko is a useful, superior child
Yumi - bow, useful beauty
Yumiko is a beautiful, helpful child
Yuri - lily
Yuriko - lily's child, dear child
Yayoi - spring
Yasu - calm
Yasuko - an honest child, a peaceful child

Beautiful Japanese female names have undergone the most significant changes over the past 100 years. These changes affected not only their meanings, but also dramatic changes occurred in the spelling of names. It was allowed to use new signs and hieroglyphs. Modern Japanese female names and their meanings clearly demonstrate the changing attitude of the Japanese towards their traditions. For example, recently in Japan they have increasingly begun to give children the names of anime or manga characters. However, this phenomenon is already spreading beyond the country and spreading throughout the world.

Japanese girl names are divided into several groups depending on the component they contain. This may be a component that has an abstract meaning, that is, showing the desire to possess some qualities in a future life. It could also be animal ingredients that have now fallen out of favor and are now considered old-fashioned. One of the most popular components in the name is the plant component. However, in addition to the listed components, you can find Japanese names for girls with numerals or even with seasons and natural phenomena.

Names that contain more than two components have an exponential component in their structure, which is usually located at the end. For example, the most common indicator is the ending -ko, which literally translates as “child”. But nowadays it has become considered unfashionable, so in most cases this component is discarded.

A little history

So, what are Japanese names and their meanings? As stated above, Japanese names are usually written in kanji. However, parents can sometimes use the Japanese syllabary alphabet katakana and hiragana to write the names of their babies. In addition, in 1985, the list of formally permitted characters for writing Japanese names was expanded, and now people in this country can use Latin characters (Romanji), hentaiganu, syllabaries (man'yōganu), as well as special letters, symbols like % * ^ $ and so on. But in reality, people usually use hieroglyphs.

Previously, in Japan, people were the property of the autocrat, and their surname reflected their role in the directory. For example, Otomo (comrade, great friend). Names were also given so that everyone would know that the person had made a contribution, some great achievement, and so on.

Before the Meiji Restoration, the common people did not have surnames: if necessary, people used the name of their place of birth. At that time, the Japanese name meaning "Angel" had not yet been invented. After the Meiji reconstruction, the authorities ordered all plebeians to create a surname for themselves. Some people preferred historical names, others came up with fortune telling or turned to priests. This explains the fact that in Japan there are many different surnames, both in spelling and pronunciation, which creates difficulties in reading.

Japanese male names

Male names in Japan are one of the most difficult parts of the Japanese language, since non-standard and rare readings, as well as unusual modifications of some components, are very popular in male names. There are even cases when the pronunciation of a name is not related to its spelling, and only the bearer himself can read it. Japanese male names and their meaning, as well as female ones, have undergone quite significant changes due to changes in Japanese traditions.

Akayo is a smart person
Aki - autumn, bright
Akio - handsome, handsome
Akira - bright, clear, dawn
Akihiko - the bright prince
Akihiro - smart, scientist, bright
Aretha is new
Atsushi - warm-hearted, hardworking
Goro - fifth son
Jero - tenth son
Jiro - second son
June - obedient
Junichi - obedient, purity, first
Deiki - of great value
Daysyuk is a great helper
Deichi - Great First Son or Great Land
Izamu - brave, warrior
Izao - honor, merit
Izaneji - a man who invites
Yoichi - male, first (son)
Iori - addiction
Yoshayo is a good man
Yoshi is good
Yoshikezu - good and harmonious, fair, first (son)
Yoshinori - noble virtue, fair principles
Yoshiro is a good son
Yoshito is a good, lucky person
Yoshihiro - Widespread Perfection
Yoshieki - fair fame, bright fortune
Yoshiyuki - fair happiness
Iuoo - stone man
Ichiro - first son
Kayoshi - quiet
Keiji - respectful, second (son)
Keiichi - respectful, first (son)
Ken - healthy and strong
Kenji - intellectual ruler
Kenichi - first builder, governor
Kenta - healthy, strong
Kenshin - the humble truth
Kero - ninth son
Kiyoshi - pure, holy
Kyo - approvals, ginger, or greater
Kichiro - lucky son
Koji - filial ruler, happy, second (son)
Koichi - bright, widespread, first (son)
Koheku - amber
Kunayo - compatriot
Kazuki - the beginning of a new generation, a pleasant world, or radiance
Kezuo is a harmonious person
Kazuhiko - the first, harmonious prince
Kazuhiro - harmony, widespread
Keitashi - hardness
Catsero - victorious son
Katsu - victory
Katsuo - the victorious child
Makoto is true
Masashi - correct, luxurious official
Mikayo - tree trunk man
Minori - a beautiful harbor, a village of beautiful people
Minoru - fruitful
Mitseru - full height
Mitsuo - bright man, third man (son)
Michayo is a man on the (right) path
Michi - trail
Madoka - calm
Mazuio - increasing the world
Mazeki - correct report, graceful tree
Mazenory - correct principles, successful government
Maseo - correct the person
Mazeru - intellectual, victorious
Matheto is a correct, graceful person
Mazahiko - Fix the Prince
Mazahiro - control widely
Mazaeki - correct brightness
Memoru - protect
Menebu - diligent
Mesa - short for names starting with "Masa"
Maseyoshi - managing fairly, shining perfection
Maseyuki - proper happiness
Naoki - an honest tree
Noboru - rise up, rise, virtuous
Nobu - faith
Nobuo is a loyal person
Nobuyuki - devoted happiness
Norayo is a man of principles
Nori - short for names starting with "Nori"
Neo - honest
Ozemu - ruler
Rio is excellent
Ryota - strong, strong
Rokero - sixth son
Raiden - thunder and lightning
Ryuu - dragon
Seiji - warning, second (son)
Seiichi - warning, pure, first (son)
Suzumu - progressive
Sabero - third son
Sedeo is the deciding man
Setoru - enlightened
Setoshi - clear thinker, quick-witted, wise
Takashi is a filial official worthy of praise
Takayuki - filial happiness, noble
Taro - to the great son (this name is given only to the first son)
Teruo is a bright person
Tetsuo - clear (thinking) man, iron man
Tetsuya - iron that becomes, clear evening
Tomayo - the guardian
Toru - penetration, wanderer
Toshayo - man of anxiety, genius
Toshi - emergency
Toshieki - emergency and bright, mature brightness
Toshiyuki - emergency and happy
Tsuyoshi - strong
Tsuneo is a common man
Tsutomu - worker
Tedeo is a loyal person
Tedashi - correct, loyal, fair
Takeo - warrior
Takehiko - Soldier's Prince
Takeshi - cruel, warrior
Tekumi - artisan
Teko - a tall, noble man
Takehiro - widespread nobility
Temotsu - full, protective
Tetsuo - Dragon Man
Tetsuya is the dragon one becomes (and has his wisdom and longevity)
Fumayo - literary, academic child
Hideki - a luxury opportunity
Hideo is a luxurious person
Hidiki - flamboyant excellence, luxurious brightness
Hizoka - saved
Hizeo - long-lived person
Hizeshi - durable
Hikeru - light or shining
Hiro - wide, widespread
Hiroaki - widespread brightness
Hiroyuki - Widespread Happiness
Hiroki - rich joy, strength
Hiromi - Widespread Observation, Widespread Beauty
Hiroshi - abundant, widespread
Hitoshi - balanced, level
Hoteka - step by step
Headheim - the beginning
Haruo - the man of springtime
Hechiro - eighth son
Shig is an abbreviation for names starting with "Shij"
Shijeru - excellent, plentiful
Shijo - rich person
Shin is true
Shinji - devotee, second (son)
Shinichi - devoted, first (son)
Shiro - fourth son
Shichiro - seventh son
Shoji - corrective, shining, second (son)
Shoichi - correct, successful, first (son)
Shuji - excellent, second (son)
Shuichi - excellent, manager, first (son)
Eiji - excellent second son, luxurious ruler
Yuichi - brave, friendly, first (son)
Yukayo is a happy person
Yuki - happiness, snow
Yutaka - abundant, prosperous
Yuu - superior
Yuudai is a great hero
Yuchi - brave, second, son
Yasuo is an honest, peaceful person
Yasuhiro - Rich Honesty, Widespread Peace
Yasushi - honest and peaceful

Beautiful Japanese male names are usually divided into two types: single-component and multi-component. One-component names include a verb, as a result of which the name contains an ending - y, for example, Mamoru “protector”, or an adjective with the ending - si, for example, Hiroshi “broad”. In some cases, you can find names written with just one hieroglyph and having one reading. Names consisting of two hieroglyphs, as a rule, are indicators of masculinity. For example, man, husband, son, warrior, courageous, etc. Each of these indicators has its own ending. Such names usually contain a hieroglyph that shows how the name should be read.

There are also names consisting of three components. In this case, the indicator will be two-component. For example, “youngest son”, “eldest son”, etc. In rare cases, you can meet a person with a three-component name and a one-component indicator. It is very rare to find names that have four components and are written in Japanese alphabet rather than in hieroglyphs.

Name comparison

Few people know Japanese names and their meanings. The Japanese usually write names using kanji, which in different cases have completely different pronunciations. The current names of Japan can be compared with names present in other cultures. Every Japanese has one surname and one given name without a patronymic, minus the Japanese royal family - its members do not have a surname.

Many people say that the Japanese name meaning "fire" sounds amazing. In Japan, the surname comes first, and then the given name. Meanwhile, in Western languages (sometimes in Russian), Japanese names are written the other way around - first name and last name. This nuance corresponds to the European tradition.

Nicknames based on appearance

When choosing a name, it is also important to pay attention to the appearance and interesting features of your pet, because this can greatly facilitate this difficult selection process.

Arctic
Bagheera
Aiden
Shinju
Akiko
Tsukiko
Ren
Kasumi
Hinata
Kiku
Haruki
Asa
Haru
Hotaru
Ayame
Miyaku
Mistico
Haruki
Midori
Natsumi
Ayumu
Hayato
Nari
Ardon
Grace
Argentum
Versailles
Atlantis
Avalanche
Ray
Pinky
Kuma
Takao
Kazuki
Tarot
Rina
Suzuki

Serious dog Mistico

Businessmen

Kiichiro Toyoda - 豊田喜一郎 - wealth + field, joy + first son - Japanese businessman. Founder.

Toyoda Kichiro

Iwasaki Yataro - 岩崎弥太郎 - rock + peninsula, spread + courageous + male name indicator - Japanese entrepreneur, founder of the Mitsubishi industrial and trading corporation.
Hiroshi Yamauchi - 山内溥 - mountain + inside, swim across - Japanese businessman. Ex-head.
Soichiro Honda - 本田宗一郎 - root + field, sect + first son - Japanese entrepreneur, founder.
Konosuke Matsushita - 松下幸之助 - pine + below, a man who brings happiness - Japanese businessman. Founder of Panasonic Corporation (Matsushita Electric).

Popular Akita Inu dogs and their nicknames

The name of the famous Akita Inu puppy from a movie, cartoon or fairy tale can also become an original and memorable nickname for your pet:

Hachiko is a true symbol of loyalty and devotion. For many years, in the very place where his bronze copy now stands, Hachiko patiently waited for his beloved owner, who never appeared. One day his owner (Professor Eisaburo Ueno) died right at his workplace. Hachiko accompanied his owner to Shibuya station every morning, and met him there at three o’clock in the afternoon. But that day the owner never returned. For another 11 years, the dog continued to wait for his owner at the station at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. He became a local celebrity, and the workers allowed him to spend the night in the station building. Hachiko gained his popularity thanks to numerous articles in newspapers. They even wrote a book about him and made a film based on it. In 1934, a bronze statue of him was erected at the station.
Yoko is a character in J. Fisher's book What's Your Dog Thinking.
Foxy is a character in the story “The Unhappy Foundling” in the collection “True Stories of Miracles and Hope,” which tells the story of the famous English Battersea Orphanage.

Interesting! 455+ beautiful names for Shar Pei

Lovely dog Yoko

Scientists

Hideki Yukawa - 湯川秀樹 - warm + river, gifted + tree - Japanese theoretical physicist. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics (1949) “for the prediction of the existence of mesons based on theoretical work on nuclear forces” (Yukawa Potential).
Michio Kaku - 加來道雄 add + freshness, path + male name index - American scientist, specialist in the field of theoretical physics. Known as an active popularizer of science and author of popular science books.

Mitio Kaku

Top 50 popular nicknames

In this section we bring to your attention the most popular and common names for Akita Inu puppies. Here you can see both Japanese and other euphonious names. We hope you find a suitable option here:

Aki
Akira
Hirako
Hachiko
Kirashi
Katasha
Kasu
Masaru
Makoto
Micci
Masumi
Samurai
Toshi
Yuki
Tika
Erie
Aiko
Emmy
Hannah
Sakura
Yuki
Kiko
Hoshi
Katsumi
Kim
Mammy
May
Mickey
Minako
Naomi
Ray
Rio
Yoko
Zuki
Okie
Fuji
June
Hoshiko
Shelley
Jasmine
Charlene
Aurora
Oscar
Olivia
Alpha
Ricky
Hugo
Lorrie
Casper
Cosmo

Cute puppy Yuki

Name Shizuka

The Japanese name meaning "dragon" is loved by both locals and foreigners. What does the name Shizuka represent? Interpretation of this name: quiet. The meanings of the letters in this name are as follows:

Ш – developed intuition, impulsiveness, ambition, hard work, independence.
And - intelligence, emotionality, kindness, pessimism, uncertainty, creative inclinations.
Z – independence, developed intuition, intelligence, hard work, pessimism, secrecy.
U – kindness, developed intuition, sincerity, creative inclinations, spirituality, optimism.
K – developed intuition, ambition, impulsiveness, practicality, kindness, sincerity.
A – selfishness, activity, creative inclinations, impulsiveness, ambition, sincerity.

The number of the name Shizuka is 7. It hides the ability to direct abilities into the world of philosophy or art, into religious activity, and the field of science. But the results of the activities of people with this name largely depend on a deep analysis of victories that have already been achieved and on true planning for their own future. By getting to know other people, they often develop into leaders and teachers of the highest caliber. But if they are engaged in commercial or financial affairs, then here they themselves will need someone’s help.

The planet named after Shizuka is Mercury, the element is cold dry air, the zodiac sign is Virgo and Gemini. The color of this name is changeable, variegated, mixed, day - Wednesday, metals - bismuth, mercury, semiconductors, minerals - agate, emerald, topaz, porphyry, rock crystal, glass, sardonyx, plants - parsley, basil, celery, walnut tree, valerian , animals - weasel, monkey, fox, parrot, stork, thrush, nightingale, ibis, lark, flying fish.

Historical figures

Miyamoto Musashi - 宮本武蔵 - castle + root, warrior + wealth - Japanese ronin, considered one of the most famous swordsmen in Japanese history.
Sakamoto Ryoma - 坂本龍馬 - slope + root, dragon + horse - Japanese political and public figure of the Edo period. One of Japan's national heroes.
Hirohito裕仁 - abundance + virtue - Emperor of Japan (Showa 1926 - 1989). Hirohito's time in power was the longest in Japanese history; During his reign, a radical transformation of Japanese society took place.

Athletes

Morihei Ueshiba - 植芝盛平 - plant + grass, ardent + unchanging (also known as the Great Teacher) - founder of Aikido.
Osamu Watanabe - 渡辺長武 - move + side, long + warrior - Japanese freestyle wrestler, Olympic champion, two-time world champion, Asian Games champion. One of the greatest pound-for-pound wrestlers in history. He has never been defeated in his career. With 189 victories in 189 official fights, he was included in the Guinness Book of Records. Moreover, throughout his entire career he has not lost a single point to anyone.
Keisuke Honda - 本田圭佑 - root + field, scoring + assistant - Japanese football player, midfielder of the Italian club Milan and the Japanese national team. Participant of the 2010 World Cup, winner and best player of the 2011 Asian Cup.
Hanyu Yuzuru - 羽生結弦 - wings + life, tied + string - Japanese singles skater. The first skater to surpass 100 points in the short program, 200 points in the free skate and 300 points in the total program.

Hanyu Yuzuru

Cultural figures

Ken Watanabe - 渡辺謙 - move + side, outlook - Japanese actor. He is best known abroad for his roles as rebel leader Daimyo Katsumoto in The Last Samurai (nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor), General Kuribayashi in Letters from Iwo Jima, and businessman Saito in Inception.
Takeshi Kitano北野武 north + field, warrior is a Japanese film director and actor. Director's works: "Fireworks", "Yakuza Brother", "Zatoichi".
Hayao Miyazaki宮崎駿 castle + peninsula, fleet-footed - Japanese animator director. Together with Isao Takahata, he founded the animation studio Studio Ghibli. Winner of an Oscar (2003) and an honorary Oscar for outstanding achievements in cinema (2014).

Miyazaki Hayao

Kitaro喜多郎 – joy + many + indicator of a male name (real name Masanori Takahashi 高橋正則 – high bridge, correct + law) is a Japanese composer, multi-instrumentalist, Grammy Award winner (2000) for best new age album.
Haruki Murakami - 村上春樹 - village + up, spring + tree - is a popular contemporary Japanese writer and translator.
Utagawa Hiroshige歌川広重 – song + river, wide + heavy (real name Ando Hiroshige 安藤広重 – calm + wisteria, wide + heavy) - one of the most famous and revered masters of Japanese painting and engraving, a representative of the ukiyo-e movement, a master of color woodcuts . Author of no less than 5400 engravings. In lyrical chamber landscapes with genre motifs, he conveyed the unstable states of nature, the atmospheric effects of snow and fog.
Kenzo Takada高田賢三 tall + field, agile + three is a Japanese fashion designer and designer, founder of the Kenzo brand.

"Edible" nicknames

A gastronomic nickname is an interesting name option for animals. Therefore, if you or your pet are natural gourmets, be sure to consider this option. In this list we offer for your collection the most popular “edible” names: trendy dishes, divine desserts, unusual fruits and drinks.

Ramen
Sashimi
Mochi
Saba
Unagi
Fugu
Miso
Yakitori
Suama
Peach
Cherry
Kiwi
Olivia
Twinkies
Curry
Baileys
Coconut
Daiquiri
sake
Rekucha
Udon
Candy
Caramel
Mocha
Sushi
Tofu
Cheddar
Cheeto
Chile
Donat
Marshmallow
Mars
Milka
Muffin
Toffee
Cupcake
Capers

Cute dog Ramen