By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 12 pages
of 12
Popular culture, Japanese
"black + beautiful"
A pop cultural Japanese name, borne by a rabbit mascot character, Kuromi is owned by the company Sanrio, best known for Hello Kitty character. Appearing in a 2005 manga series and a legal case in…
Japanese
"vegetables, green; clothing"
A short and snappy choice, Nai may be considered a Japanese name with a range of meanings, including "vegetables, greens", "clothing, robes", or "to sound, (bird) cry". The name may also be adapted…
"respect; soaring peace"
Notably borne by baseball star Shohei Ohtani, Shohei can also be transcribed as Shōhei or Shouhei. As with many Japanese names, the meaning varies depending on what kanji combinations are used, but…
Modern invention or variation of Sayomi, American, Japanese
"night beauty"
A contemporary choice fitting in to the "-omi" trend, Zyomi may be viewed as a spin on the Japanese Sayomi (meaning "night beauty" or "small world beauty") or as a modern invention, blending together…
"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.
Japanese, Yoruba
"land of the dead; my joy"
The Japanese word for the land of the dead, it may also be interpreted as meaning "world of darkness" or "yellow springs". According to Japanese mythology, Yomi isn't like heaven (a place of reward…
"lawful and just"
Popular Japanese name exemplified by the distinguished conductor Seiji Ozawa.
Hungarian tree name, Hindi, Sanskrit, Japanese
"Dogwood tree; elixir, to extract; sound of the wind + genuine"
Popular in Hungary, but rare elsewhere, Soma is a botanical boy name, relating to the dogwood tree, notable for its white blooms and red twigs. Pronounced as SHO-maw, it ranked at #36 in its native…
Japanese; Lithuanian and Latvian
"my greens; song"
A name with an international and adaptable sound, similar to Diana and Dana, this name was used very commonly in Latvia in the 20th century. Pronounced as DYE-nuh, it has the cheerful meaning of…
"flower child"
Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who…
"prayer"
A sweet and dainty name with a spiritual meaning, "inori" is the Japanese word for "prayer" and is occasionally used as a female name. It appears in the 2025 anime series Medalist , about a young…
"aware of emptiness"
Goku is the name of the protagonist of the popular "Dragon Ball" manga series, which was turned into a live action film. The character of Goku is reportedly based on Sun Wukong, the hero of the…
"light or radiance"
A unisex Japanese name with a beautiful and radiant meaning, it is notably borne by chess prodigy Hikaru Nakamura, and is a central character in the manga series The Summer Hikaru Died .
"generous"
Several artistic Hiroshis make this one of the more plausible Japanese imports.
"reliable"
An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names.
"bluish"
A very popular girls' name in Japan with an unfortunate English pronunciation: picture a toddler with a hurt knee saying "owee."
"village; capital city; apricot; unite"
Also written as Kyō, this Japanese name makes a simple, sweet, yet spirited name for a son. Like many Japanese names, the meaning alters depending on which kanji are used, but Kyo can mean "unite,…
"flower stem"
Attractive but slight Asian alternative, with a 1970s nickname feel.
"good luck, auspicious, hope; water, mist"
A zippy and upbeat Japanese name with both a cheerful and hopeful meaning, and one relating to nature, depending on which kanji elements are used. It appears on a character in the game AI: THE…
"good, respectful"
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
