Japanese Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
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Suki
Japanese or English
"loved one; lily"
As a Japanese name, Suki has the sweet meaning "loved one". It's also an English diminutive of Susanna, making it a creative and modern way to honor a Susan in your life.
Sumi
Japanese
"elegant, refined"
Simple and, yes, elegant -- until you think of the wrestlers.
Takara
Japanese
"treasure, jewel"
A lovely Japanese alternative to Tamara.
Tamako
Japanese
"jewel child"
Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.
Tamayo
Japanese
"generation jewel"
Japanese name with a special crossover/creative touch via its association with the colorful paintings of acclaimed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo.
Taya
Japanese
"young"
Taya has recently jumped into the mainstream name pool, perhaps because of kinship with Maya and Kaya. After five years outside the US Top 1000, it reentered in 2015. Taya Smith is an Australian…
Tazu
Japanese
"rice-field stork"
Tazu has a certain snazzy appeal.
Tora
Norse
"thunder"
Tora is the female version of Tor or Thor, the name of the Norse god of thunder. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn chose it for her daughter.
Tori
Diminutive of Victoria, English, Japanese
"victory; bird"
A more modern nickname for Victoria than Vicky, Tori is used fairly frequently on its own, kept in the public eye by singer Tori Amos and actress Tori Spelling. Still, it's far from fashionable,…
Umeko
Japanese
"plum-blossom child, patient"
Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different.
Yoko
Japanese
"good girl; ocean child"
There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko. Yoko Ono writes her name with characters meaning "ocean" and "child".
Yori
Japanese
"reliable"
An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names.
Yoshi
Japanese
"good, respectful"
Popular name in Japan, wouldn't work too well outside that culture.
Yuki
Japanese
"snow; happiness"
Succinct and memorable, Yuki is a Japanese name, which may relate to winter or joy, depending on the kanji used. It is a unisex choice, notably borne by singer Yuki Kuramochi (stylized as YUKI).
Aki
Japanese; Finnish
"born in the autumn; ancestor"
A name known in several cultures, also through animated book character Tiger Aki. Finnish author Aki Ollikainen is another notable bearer.
Akiro
Japanese
"bright boy; man of autumn"
Akiro is well used in Japan, the first name of famed director Kurosawa. Also transliterated as Akirou, it can mean "bright boy" or "man of autumn", depending on which Kanji elements are used.
Akira
Japanese
"bright, intelligent"
Akira is a popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games. Akiro is a related name popular for boys.
Botan
Japanese
"peony"
One Japanese name that feels Western, though not quite American.
Fuji
Japanese
"dweller near the river where wisteria grows"
To honor the majestic mountain.
Haruki
Japanese
"spring tree"
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, well known in the U. S. , might inspire some namesakes. Haruki is a popular Japanese name meaning spring tree or bright tree, a lovely nature meaning combined with…