Are you dreaming of a Japanese baby name? Let yourself be enchanted by our selections of pretty first names with poetic and harmonious sounds, perfect for a little girl or a little boy.
Choose one first name of Japanese origin, it is choosing elegant minimalism and a visceral connection with nature and the passing of time. In Japan, first names are truly poetic paintings, often constructed from kanji (characters) evoking the seasons, the elements or spiritual virtues. Very popular thanks to the richness of pop culture (mangas, anime) and the fascination for the Japanese art of living, this repertoire seduces parents around the world with its short, rhythmic and very sweet first names. Explore our complete guide to the most beautiful Japanese names for girls and boys and find the ideal inspiration for your future child.
List of the most popular Japanese names
Female Japanese names
Japanese female first names are very numerous: they can have a literal meaning, or be linked to historical characters, or even to the manga culture, iconic of the Land of the Rising Sun. Are you looking for a Japanese name for your little girl? You can opt for Namior Nico which are the first names of heroines of One Piece. Nana, Motoko, Yoruichi, Hinata are other first name options from Japanese literature. In the library of Japanese first names, we also find Kumiko, Sakurawhich refers to cherry blossoms, Kokoro which refers to the different senses of the heart: the organ, as well as the feeling of love. Of course, there are also short Japanese female first names such as Kiko, Cho, Qui or Yoko.
Japanese male names
To find a Japanese name for a little boyyou just have to look at the manga library too: Naruto, Denji, Hayao, Ryuk, but also Kamaji, Sousuke, Jiro, Asbel too. Cartoons and literary culture are rich in suggestions on this subject. If you are looking for a long Japanese name for a boyyou will find for example Umetaro, Kamejiro or Takakazu. And if you like short Japanese names for boys, there is Kei which refers to excellence, Jun which means “obedient”, Masa which means “elegant”, or even the symbol of happiness, Kou. Furthermore, most Japanese first names are rare and original. Here are some ideas for male first names of Japanese origin for little boys:
What are the mixed Japanese first names?
In Japan, many first names are given to girls and boys without distinction. Their fluid sounds are also wonderfully exported to the West. If you are looking for a modern, short and non-gendered first name, the Japanese directory is full of very popular sure values. We undoubtedly think of Sora (meaning the sky), or even to Ren (the lotus), a first name extremely attributed and appreciated for its sobriety. Aki (autumn or bright), Yuki (snow or courage), Hikari (light) as well as Rin (the companion or worthy) are also one of these essential mixed first names which fit perfectly into a French-speaking environment.
Which first names from the Land of the Rising Sun are rare?
For call your child with a rare Japanese first nameif it is a boy, you can choose Zennosuje, or even Zenko. We find few Zabuzawhich means “the one who only decides once”, and quite a few Un ok, or even Umar. Generally speaking, U-shaped first names are rare. On the girls’ side, you can look for derivatives of Akasukiwhich means “brilliant help”. We thus find Aki, Akie, or even Akiha. The first name Bachiko, which is the symbol of happy childhood, is one of the rare Japanese first names for girls. If you prefer “o” sounds, there is also Takakowhich means “noble child”.
Japanese first names with beautiful meanings
If you want to offer your child a first name with deep meaning or a tribute to nature, you will find essential and popular options around the world. On the girls’ side: The first name Sakura (the emblematic cherry blossom, symbol of renewal) remains a great poetic classic. We also very often find Yuna (which evokes the hibiscus flower or sweetness), Mei (life or beauty), Hana (the flower), Chiyo (a thousand generations) or even Aiko (the very tender child of love).
On the boys’ side: Japanese male first names display assertive characters. The best known are Kenji (the second vigorous son), Hiro (large, extended), Kaito (the ocean flight or the sailor), Takumi (the skillful craftsman), without forgetting Haruto (the rising sun) or Arata (new, fresh), which regularly prance at the top of the births.
What ideas for Japanese first names in 4 letters?
Many Japanese first names are shortthey can contain two, three or even four letters. This is the case of Anka which symbolizes the color of dawn, or even of Anzu which refers to a fruit, the apricot. Do you know the first name Eiko? The latter means “prosperity”, it has the particularity of being able to be attributed to both girls and boys. Toro means the fifth son, when Gina, which is rather feminine, refers to the silver color. For a little boy born in spring, we will choose a first name that has this literal meaning: Haru. Haya means “fast, light”, when another Japanese four-letter first name, Hidemeans “excellent”.
