For your baby, you may choose a Japanese name based on the child’s heritage or because you like the sound or meaning of the name. You may choose a name that means beautiful, wise, or strong in hopes of raising a cheerful and spirited child.
Names in Japanese are written with kanji characters, which can be read in several ways. Additionally, since there are thousands of kanji to choose from, even the same name can usually be written in many different ways (some have more than 50). Boys’ names are less likely to include the kanji character for the zodiac animal of the year than girls’ names. Names for girls often contain only one kanji character, especially those associated with nature or plants.
100 Japanese Baby Names
Here are a few of your favorite Japanese baby names.
- Aiko – “beloved child” – Japanese
- Akira – “bright, clear” – Japanese
- Asuka – “fragrance” – Japanese
- Ayumi – “walk, progress” – Japanese
- Chiaki – “light, bright” – Japanese
- Daichi – “great wisdom” – Japanese
- Eiko – “long–lived child” – Japanese
- Emi – “blessed with beauty” – Japanese
- Fujiko – “child of wisteria” – Japanese
- Fumiko – “child of good fortune” – Japanese
- Genji – “original” – Japanese
- Hana – “flower” – Japanese
- Haru – “spring” – Japanese
- Hikaru – “radiance” – Japanese
- Hiroki – “abundant joy” – Japanese
- Hisoka – “secret” – Japanese
- Hitomi – “pupil of the eye” – Japanese
- Ichiro – “first–born son” – Japanese
- Isamu – “brave, courageous” – Japanese
- Itsuki – “harmony” – Japanese
- Jiro – “second son” – Japanese
- Kaito – “ocean flying” – Japanese
- Kaori – “fragrance” – Japanese
- Kazue – “harmonious blessing” – Japanese
- Keiko – “blessed, lucky child” – Japanese
- Kenji – “wise, intelligent” – Japanese
- Kimiko – “child without equal” – Japanese
- Kiyomi – “pure beauty” – Japanese
- Koharu – “small spring” – Japanese
- Koji – “second–born son” – Japanese
- Kota – “happiness” – Japanese
- Koto – “harp” – Japanese
- Kumi – “long–cherished dream” – Japanese
- Kyoko – “mirror” – Japanese
- Mai – “dance, brightness” – Japanese
- Maki – “true hope” – Japanese
- Mami – “true beauty” – Japanese
- Mana – “affection, love” – Japanese
- Mari – “true reason” – Japanese
- Masami – “becoming beautiful” – Japanese
- Megumi – “blessing, grace” – Japanese
- Michiko – “beautiful wise child” – Japanese
- Midori – “green” – Japanese
- Mika – “new moon” – Japanese
- Minako – “beautiful child” – Japanese
- Minori – “truth” – Japanese
- Misaki – “beautiful bloom” – Japanese
- Mitsuki – “full moon” – Japanese
- Miyako – “beautiful night child” – Japanese
- Mizuki – “beautiful moon” – Japanese
- Moe – “sprouting” – Japanese
- Momoko – “peach blossom child” – Japanese
- Naomi – “pleasant” – Japanese
- Nao – “honest, direct” – Japanese
- Natsumi – “summer beauty” – Japanese
- Noboru – “to ascend” – Japanese
- Nori – “law” – Japanese
- Ren – “lotus” – Japanese
- Rie – “pearl” – Japanese
- Rina – “jasmine” – Japanese
- Rio – “river” – Japanese
- Risa – “laughter” – Japanese
- Sakura – “cherry blossom” – Japanese
- Saki – “bloom” – Japanese
- Satomi – “wise beauty” – Japanese
- Sayuri – “small lily” – Japanese
- Seiji – “refined, pure” – Japanese
- Shiori – “poem” – Japanese
- Shizuka – “quiet, calm” – Japanese
- Sora – “sky” – Japanese
- Subaru – “united” – Japanese
- Suzu – “bell” – Japanese
- Tadashi – “loyal” – Japanese
- Takumi – “artisan” – Japanese
- Tamiko – “child of many beauties” – Japanese
- Taro – “large son” – Japanese
- Tatsuo – “dragon man” – Japanese
- Tomiko – “child of wealth” – Japanese
- Tomoe – “blessed with wisdom” – Japanese
- Toru – “piercing” – Japanese
- Toshiro – “talented, intelligent” – Japanese
- Tsukiko – “moon child” – Japanese
- Umi – “ocean” – Japanese
- Yori – “trust” – Japanese
- Yoko – “ocean child” – Japanese
- Yori – “reliable” – Japanese
- Yori – “graceful” – Japanese
- Yua – “binding love” – Japanese
- Yui – “tie, bind” – Japanese
- Yuka – “gentle flower” – Japanese
- Yuki – “snow” – Japanese
- Yumiko – “child of elegance” – Japanese
- Yuriko – “lily child” – Japanese
- Yuu – “gentle, superior” – Japanese
- Zen – “meditation” – Japanese
- Zenshiro – “goodness of the sun” – Japanese
- Zui – “forever” – Japanese
- Zumi – “pure” – Japanese
- Ami – “beautiful” – Japanese
- Aya – “colorful” – Japanese.
Popular Japanese Baby Names for Girls
When looking for a name for your baby girl, consider those that have been popular recently or throughout the past few decades.
- Ai – “love” – Japanese
- Akane – “deep red” – Japanese
- Aki – “bright, autumn” – Japanese
- Akiko – “bright, autumn child” – Japanese
- Akira – “bright, clear” – Japanese
- Amaya – “night rain” – Japanese
- Asami – “morning beauty” – Japanese
- Asuka – “tomorrow fragrance” – Japanese
- Aya – “colorful” – Japanese
- Ayaka – “colorful flower” – Japanese
- Ayame – “iris” – Japanese
- Ayumi – “walk, progress” – Japanese
- Chie – “wisdom” – Japanese
- Chiharu – “one thousand springs” – Japanese
- Chika – “scatter flowers” – Japanese
- Chisato – “a thousand different worlds” – Japanese
- Emi – “blessed with beauty” – Japanese
- Emiko – “blessed with beauty, child” – Japanese
- Eri – “blessed prize” – Japanese
- Etsuko – “joyful child” – Japanese
- Hana – “flower” – Japanese
- Hanako – “flower child” – Japanese
- Haruka – “distant, faraway” – Japanese
- Haruko – “spring child” – Japanese
- Hikari – “light” – Japanese
- Hiroko – “abundant, generous child” – Japanese
- Hitomi – “pupil of the eye” – Japanese
- Honoka – “harmony, flower” – Japanese
- Hotaru – “firefly” – Japanese
- Ikumi – “living beauty” – Japanese
- Itsuki – “tree” – Japanese
- Izumi – “fountain” – Japanese
- Jun – “obedient” – Japanese
- Junko – “pure child” – Japanese
- Kana – “powerful” – Japanese
- Kanako – “fragrant child” – Japanese
- Kaori – “fragrance” – Japanese
- Kazumi – “harmonious beauty” – Japanese
- Keiko – “blessed child” – Japanese
- Kiko – “chronicle child” – Japanese
- Kimiko – “rare, beautiful child” – Japanese
- Kira – “glittering” – Japanese
- Koharu – “small spring” – Japanese
- Kokoro – “heart, soul” – Japanese
- Kumi – “long time beautiful” – Japanese
- Kumiko – “long time beautiful child” – Japanese
- Kyoko – “respectful child” – Japanese
- Maki – “true hope” – Japanese
- Makiko – “true hope child” – Japanese
- Mami – “true beauty” – Japanese
- Mana – “love” – Japanese
- Manami – “affection, love” – Japanese
- Mari – “ball, circle” – Japanese
- Mariko – “true village child” – Japanese
- Mayu – “true gentleness” – Japanese
- Mayumi – “true gentle beauty” – Japanese
- Megumi – “blessing” – Japanese
- Miki – “beautiful princess” – Japanese
- Mina – “south” – Japanese
- Minako – “beautiful child of the south” – Japanese
- Minami – “south” – Japanese
- Misaki – “beautiful blossom” – Japanese
- Miyu – “beautiful gentle” – Japanese
- Miyuki – “beautiful happiness” – Japanese
- Momoka – “peach blossom” – Japanese
- Nana – “seven” – Japanese
- Nanami – “seven seas” – Japanese
- Naomi – “pleasant” – Japanese
- Narumi – “smooth” – Japanese
- Natsumi – “beautiful summer” – Japanese
- Natsuki – “summer moon” – Japanese
- Natsuko – “child of summer” – Japanese
- Nozomi – “wish” – Japanese
- Rei – “grace, favor” – Japanese
- Rie – “jasmine” – Japanese
- Riko – “jasmine child” – Japanese
- Rin – “dignified” – Japanese
- Rina – “jasmine” – Japanese
- Rio – “white jasmine” – Japanese
- Risa – “smiling” – Japanese
- Rumi – “beautiful lapis lazuli” – Japanese
- Runa – “wise” – Japanese
- Sachi – “blessed, fortunate” – Japanese
- Sachiko – “child of joy” – Japanese
- Saki – “blossom” – Japanese
- Sakura – “cherry blossom” – Japanese
- Satomi – “beautiful wisdom” – Japanese
- Sayaka – “clear, pure” – Japanese
- Sayuri – “small lily” – Japanese
- Shiori – “bookmark” – Japanese
- Sumiko – “child of goodness” – Japanese
- Suzu – “bell” – Japanese
- Suzume – “sparrow” – Japanese
- Tomiko – “wealthy child” – Japanese
- Yoko – “sun child” – Japanese
- Yori – “trust” – Japanese
- Yua – “binding love” – Japanese
- Yui – “tie, bind” – Japanese
- Yuka – “gentle flower” – Japanese
Popular Japanese Baby Names for Boys
These names have been popular for boys in Japan both historically and in recent years.
- Akio – “bright man” – Japanese
- Akihiro – “great brightness” – Japanese
- Akira – “bright, clear” – Japanese
- Arata – “fresh, new” – Japanese
- Asahi – “morning sun” – Japanese
- Atsushi – “industrious, hardworking” – Japanese
- Daichi – “great wisdom” – Japanese
- Daisuke – “great help” – Japanese
- Eiji – “eternal peace” – Japanese
- Fumio – “scholarly, learned” – Japanese
- Genji – “two beginnings” – Japanese
- Hachiro – “eighth son” – Japanese
- Hajime – “beginning” – Japanese
- Haru – “sunshine, spring” – Japanese
- Haruki – “shining sun” – Japanese
- Haruto – “sun, flying bird” – Japanese
- Hideaki – “excellent, shining” – Japanese
- Hideki – “excellence, nobility” – Japanese
- Hikaru – “light” – Japanese
- Hiro – “generous” – Japanese
- Hiroaki – “wide, spacious” – Japanese
- Hiroki – “abundant joy” – Japanese
- Hiroshi – “abundant, prosperous” – Japanese
- Hisao – “long-lived man” – Japanese
- Isamu – “courageous, brave” – Japanese
- Itsuki – “harmony” – Japanese
- Iwao – “rocky man” – Japanese
- Jun – “obedient” – Japanese
- Junichi – “obedient, first-born son” – Japanese
- Kaito – “ocean flying” – Japanese
- Katsuo – “victorious, disciplined” – Japanese
- Kazuhiko – “harmonious, peaceful” – Japanese
- Kazuki – “harmonious hope” – Japanese
- Kazuo – “first son” – Japanese
- Kei – “blessed, respectful” – Japanese
- Keiji – “lead” – Japanese
- Ken – “strong” – Japanese
- Kenji – “strong, second son” – Japanese
- Kento – “big dipper” – Japanese
- Kiyoshi – “pure, clean” – Japanese
- Kohei – “wide, spacious” – Japanese
- Koki – “happiness, joy” – Japanese
- Kouta – “big happiness” – Japanese
- Kyo – “cooperation, harmony” – Japanese
- Kyosuke – “helpful, hero” – Japanese
- Masaaki – “true brightness” – Japanese
- Masaharu – “great spring” – Japanese
- Masaki – “true brightness” – Japanese
- Masami – “righteous beauty” – Japanese
- Masao – “just, righteous” – Japanese
- Michio – “man on a journey” – Japanese
- Minoru – “bearing fruit” – Japanese
- Mitsuru – “victorious, wise” – Japanese
- Naoki – “honest, open” – Japanese
- Naoto – “honest, straightforward” – Japanese
- Noboru – “rise, ascend
- Osamu – “disciplined, studious” – Japanese
- Ren – “lotus” – Japanese
- Riku – “land” – Japanese
- Ryo – “good, virtuous” – Japanese
- Ryota – “excellent, refreshing” – Japanese
- Ryozo – “third son” – Japanese
- Ryu – “dragon” – Japanese
- Ryuichi – “first son of the dragon” – Japanese
- Ryuji – “dragon ruler” – Japanese
- Saburo – “third son” – Japanese
- Satoru – “enlightened, wise” – Japanese
- Satoshi – “wise, fast learner” – Japanese
- Seiji – “holy, sacred” – Japanese
- Senichi – “first son” – Japanese
- Shigeru – “luxuriant, abundant” – Japanese
- Shin – “faith, belief” – Japanese
- Shinichi – “true first son” – Japanese
- Shiro – “fourth son” – Japanese
- Shirota – “white rice paddy” – Japanese
- Shota – “big fly” – Japanese
- Shun – “fast, quick” – Japanese
- Soichiro – “great wisdom” – Japanese
- Subaru – “unite, gather” – Japanese
- Suguru – “discipline, rigor” – Japanese
- Susumu – “advance, progress” – Japanese
- Tadao – “loyal, faithful” – Japanese
- Tadashi – “loyal, faithful” – Japanese
- Takahiro – “noble, generous” – Japanese
- Takashi – “prosperous, noble” – Japanese
- Takaya – “honorable, respectful” – Japanese
- Takumi – “artisan, skilled” – Japanese
- Taro – “big boy” – Japanese
- Tatsuo – “dragon man” – Japanese
- Tatsuya – “to become, achieve” – Japanese
- Teruo – “shining, brilliant” – Japanese
- Tomio – “wealthy, abundant” – Japanese
- Toru – “piercing, clear” – Japanese
- Toshi – “mirror image, equal” – Japanese
- Toshio – “wise, genius” – Japanese
- Tsuyoshi – “strong, vigorous” – Japanese
- Yori – “trust, dependence” – Japanese
- Yosuke – “bright hero” – Japanese
- Yota – “large sunlight” – Japanese
- Yuto – “gentle, kind” – Japanese
100 cute japanese baby names
Here’s the full list of 100 cute Japanese baby names, with Misaki properly defined:
- Ai – “love”
- Aika – “love song”
- Akane – “deep red”
- Aki – “autumn”
- Akiko – “bright child”
- Ami – “friend”
- Anzu – “apricot”
- Aoi – “hollyhock”
- Arisa – “lovely, beautiful”
- Asuka – “fragrant, perfume”
- Ayaka – “colorful flower”
- Ayame – “iris”
- Ayumi – “walk, progress”
- Chiaki – “light, brightness”
- Chie – “wisdom, intellect”
- Chiharu – “a thousand springs”
- Chika – “scatter, strew”
- Chisato – “a thousand generations”
- Eiko – “prosperous child”
- Emi – “beautiful smile”
- Emiko – “smiling child”
- Eri – “blessed prize”
- Erika – “eternal ruler”
- Fuuka – “wind flower”
- Hana – “flower”
- Hanako – “flower child”
- Haru – “spring”
- Haruka – “far, distant”
- Haruko – “spring child”
- Hazuki – “moon tree”
- Hikari – “light, radiance”
- Hina – “sunshine vegetables”
- Hinata – “sunny place”
- Hiroko – “abundant, rich child”
- Hitomi – “pupil of the eye”
- Honoka – “harmony, peace”
- Hotaru – “firefly”
- Ikumi – “breath of life”
- Itsuki – “timber tree”
- Iyo – “world, generation”
- Izumi – “fountain, spring”
- Jun – “obedient, submissive”
- Junko – “obedient child”
- Kaede – “maple”
- Kanna – “Summer vegetables”
- Kanon – “sound of music”
- Karin – “pure, chaste”
- Kaya – “Yew tree”
- Kazu – “harmony, peace”
- Kazumi – “beautiful harmony”
- Kiko – “rare child”
- Kimiko – “child without equal”
- Kira – “sparkle, shine”
- Koko – “stork”
- Kokoro – “heart, soul”
- Kumiko – “beautiful, long-lived child”
- Kyouko – “mirror, glass”
- Madoka – “circle, round”
- Mai – “dance, brightness”
- Maki – “true hope”
- Mami – “true beauty”
- Mana – “love, affection”
- Mao – “truth, reality”
- Mariko – “child of true reason”
- Maya – “true arrow”
- Megumi – “blessing, grace”
- Mei – “sprout, new life”
- Michi – “path, way”
- Midori – “green”
- Mie – “fame, reputation”
- Miki – “beautiful, wise”
- Mina – “South”
- Minako – “beautiful child”
- Minami – “South”
- Mio – “Beautiful,
- Misaki – “beautiful blossom”
- Miu – “beautiful feather”
- Miyu – “beautiful kindness”
- Momoka – “peach flower”
- Momo – “peach”
- Nana – “Seven”
- Nanami – “seven seas”
- Narumi – “Become true”
- Natsumi – “Beautiful Summer”
- Natsuki – “summer hope”
- Nene – “sound of the water”
- Nishi – “West”
- Noa – “from love”
- Ren – “lotus”
- Rena – “reborn”
- Riko – “jasmine child”
- Rin – “dignified, severe”
- Rina – “Jasmine”
- Rio – “jasmine plant”
- Risa – “smiling, sand of the village”
- Rui – “Tears, gemstone”
- Runa – “Luna, moon”
- Sakura – “cherry blossom”
- Saki – “Bloom, hope”
- Sayaka – “clear, bright”
100 Japanese baby names 2024
Here are 100 Japanese baby names that could be popular in 2024:
- Aika – “love song”
- Airi – “Love, Jasmine”
- Akari – “light”
- Akiko – “bright child”
- Akihiro – “Great brightness”
- Akihito – “bright person”
- Akihira – “bright, clear”
- Akiya – “bright all the way”
- Amaterasu – “heavenly shining”
- Arata – “new, fresh”
- Asahi – “morning sun”
- Asuka – “fragrant, perfume”
- Atsuko – “kind, gentle”
- Ayaka – “colorful flower”
- Ayane – “colorful sound”
- Ayumu – “walk, progress”
- Chika – “scatter, strew”
- Chiyo – “eternal, thousand years”
- Daichi – “great wisdom”
- Eiji – “prosperous second son”
- Emi – “beautiful smile”
- Emiko – “smiling child”
- Ena – “gift from God”
- Eri – “blessed prize”
- Etsuko – “child of joy”
- Fumiko – “child of abundant beauty”
- Genki – “energetic”
- Hana – “flower”
- Hanami – “flower viewing”
- Haru – “Spring”
- Haruka – “far, distant”
- Haruki – “shining sun”
- Hayate – “swift, sound of wind”
- Hazuki – “moon tree”
- Hibiki – “echo, sound”
- Hikari – “light, radiance”
- Hikaru – “radiance, light”
- Hinata – “sunny place”
- Hiro – “generous”
- Hiroki – “abundant joy”
- Hiroshi – “generous, virtuous”
- Hisa – “long-lasting, enduring”
- Honoka – “harmony, peace”
- Hotaru – “firefly”
- Ichiro – “first son”
- Iku – “nourishing, growing”
- Isamu – “brave, courageous”
- Itsuki – “timber tree”
- Jun – “obedient, submissive”
- Junko – “obedient child”
- Kaede – “maple”
- Kai – “ocean, shell”
- Kaito – “sea, sky, person”
- Kana – “powerful”
- Kanna – “Summer vegetables”
- Kanon – “sound of music”
- Karin – “pure, chaste”
- Katsu – “victory”
- Katsuo – “victorious man”
- Kazu – “harmony, peace”
- Kazue – “harmony, blessing”
- Kazuki – “harmony, hope”
- Kazuma – “peaceful truth”
- Keiko – “blessed, respectful”
- Kenta – “healthy and strong”
- Kiko – “rare child”
- Kimi – “honorable, noble”
- Kiyomi – “pure beauty”
- Koharu – “small spring”
- Kokoro – “heart, soul”
- Koji – “radiant, shining”
- Kotaro – “large and strong”
- Kumi – “beautiful, long-lasting”
- Kurumi – “walnut”
- Kyoko – “mirror”
- Maiko – “dancing child”
- Maki – “true hope”
- Mako – “truth, child”
- Mana – “love, affection”
- Masa – “true, sincere”
- Masahiro – “great prosperity”
- Masaru – “victorious”
- Masato – “just person”
- Mei – “bright, beautiful”
- Michi – “path, way”
- Michiko – “beautiful child”
- Mihoko – “a beautiful child of the sea”
- Minato – “harbor, port”
- Mineko – “beautiful summit”
- Minoru – “fruitful, abundance”
- Mio – “beautiful cherry blossom”
- Mirai – “future”
- Misao – “pious, pure”
- Miyako – “capital, city”
- Miyu – “beautiful kindness”
- Momoka – “peach flower”
- Nao – “honest, straightforward”
- Naoko – “honest child”
- Yui – “Tie, bind”
- Yuto – “gentle, superior person”
Japanese baby names along with their meanings
Here are some Japanese baby names along with their meanings and associated zodiac sign:
Akira: “bright” or “clear” – Aquarius
Aiko: “Beloved child” – Gemini
Asuka: “fragrant tree” – Pisces
Ayumi: “Walk with purpose” – Sagittarius
Chihiro: “thousand questions” – Libra
Daiki: “great glory” – Scorpio
Emi: “blessing” – Taurus
Eri: “blessed prize” – Virgo
Fumiko: “Child of good fortune” – Cancer
Haru: “Spring” – Aries
Hikaru: “Radiance” – Leo
Hinata: “Sunny place” – Capricorn
Hiroko: “abundant child” – Pisces
Hisako: “Child of long life” – Scorpio
Hotaru: “Firefly” – Gemini
Ichiro: “first son” – Aquarius
Isamu: “brave” – Sagittarius
Jun: “obedient” – Libra
Kaito: “Ocean” – Cancer
Kaori: “fragrance” – Virgo
Kenji: “wise ruler” – Taurus
Kimiko: “child without equal” – Leo
Kiyomi: “Pure beauty” – Pisces
Kokoro: “heart” – Scorpio
Koji: “Little one” – Capricorn
Kota: “happiness” – Aries
Kumiko: “Beautiful child” – Cancer
Kurumi: “walnut” – Libra
Kyoko: “respectful child” – Virgo
Maki: “true hope” – Gemini
Makoto: “Sincerity” – Scorpio
Mariko: “child of true reason” – Pisces
Masaru: “victorious” – Sagittarius
Megumi: “blessing” – Taurus
Michiko: “Child of beauty” – Leo
Miki: “flower stem” – Capricorn
Minato: “Harbor” – Aries
Miyako: “Beautiful night child” – Cancer
Momo: “Peach” – Libra
Nana: “seven” – Virgo
Natsumi: “Beautiful summer” – Pisces
Rina: “jasmine” – Scorpio
Ryo: “cool” – Sagittarius
Sakura: “cherry blossom” – Taurus
Saki: “Blossom of hope” – Leo
Sora: “sky” – Capricorn
Tatsuya: “To be accomplished” – Aries
Tomoko: “Wise child” – Cancer
Yui: “gentleness” – Libra
Yuna: “kindness” – Virgo