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.

Ichigo (Ichigo)

This name is most likely associated with the name of the male protagonist "Bleach", but this name can also be female. When used in relation to a girl, Ichigo means strawberry, which is what the berry is called in Japanese. The main character of The Great Pastry Chef is Amano Ichigo, a kind girl who loves to bake and eat a lot of sweets. Her dishes mainly contain fruits and berries, especially strawberries. In Tokyo Meow Meow, the main character is a girl named Momomiya Ichigo. She transforms into a catwoman with distinctive pink hair. Both heroines are as sweet and tender as a strawberry. Unfortunately, in Russian there is a slight difficulty with this name. It can be pronounced either Ichigo or Ichigo.

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.

A little history

Japanese names consist of a surname and a given name, for example Kurono Kei, Nishi Juichiro, Kishimoto Kei. There is no such thing as a middle name in Japanese. When writing a name, the surname always comes first, i.e. Juichiro is the name, although a Russian person will almost certainly decide the opposite. When communicating simply by name, the Japanese rarely address each other by name, even if people are in very close, informal relationships - lovers, family members, very close friends, including in an informal setting. For the Japanese, a name is a very personal, intimate thing.

The suffix “-hime” was added to the end of the names of girls from noble families. It is often translated as "princess", but in fact it was used to refer to all noble ladies.

Haruka

Haruka is a common female name, less commonly used for men. This name can also be interpreted in different ways, but the main meanings are spring, fragility, sunny weather, distance, flower. You may remember Haruka Teno from the Sailor Moon anime series. She is known for her romantic relationship with Michuri, which was censored in the European anime adaptation. The heroine loves to flirt and tease other girls. Despite this, Haruka is always ready to defeat her enemies with her team.

Yumi

Yumi is a common female name not only in Japan, but also in Korea. The kanji used for Yumi usually mean beauty, but can also be translated as intelligence, abundance, evening, fruit, tenderness, God's blessing, constancy and friend. In the Chobits anime series, Yumi is important. She is one of the few who are disapproved of persocoms (humanoid robot assistants) and uses the most basic device that allows her to make phone calls. Relationships with Persocoms show that technology can be both beneficial and destructive, especially when it comes to human relationships.

Yuki

Yuki can be either a female or a male name. This name translates as snow. I would like to draw your attention to Yuki Cross from the anime “Vampire Knight”. When the girl first appears in the series, she is unremarkable except for the fact that she is the daughter of the school principal. Despite this, she has many secrets, for example, she cannot remember her own childhood. The only thing she can say is that the girl was born on a cold, snowy night. Whether this has anything to do with her name or not is up to you to decide.

Sakura

Sakura is perhaps the only name that is popular outside of Japan. It is associated with the sakura plant, which blooms beautifully in spring. Sakura in anime can be either a real name or a nickname. The most famous girl is Sakura Haruno from Naruto. The one who irritated many fans with her first appearance in the series was when she was with Sasuke. As the story progressed, she blossomed and was quite capable of lending a helping hand in any battle.

After reading this article, we hope that you have found a suitable name for your child, pet, game character or fan fiction character. Each name carries a hidden meaning. Do you have a favorite female anime name? Why do you like it? What does it mean to you?

The Japanese actually do not have a specific list of names, like we do or in Europe. Parents in Japan can take any word existing in the language (noun, verb, adjective) and give it as a name to the child. They may add a traditional root for names (for female ones, this is, for example, -ko (child) or -mi (beauty)), or they may not add it - as you like.