Japanese Names

A simple yet bright-sounding Japanese name, Riyo can mean "logic, reason + world", "dignity + anticipation", "gemstone, offer", and "pear, world" depending on which kanji combination is used. It appears on a character in the manga series, Gachiakuta.

Riyo

Ishi

A Japanese name with a strong yet friendly sound, Ryota blends the kanji element ta meaning "great, big" with ryō which can mean "refreshing", "good", or "clear". Other kanji combinations are possible, but the ones listed have positive and appealing meanings. Also transcribed as Ryōta and Ryouta, the name is notably borne by a Japanese DJ (who goes simply by DJ Ryoto), musician Ryota Kohama, and footballer Ryota Oshima.

Ryota

Predominantly used for boys, this Japanese names has a cool, mythological meaning. In Japan, dragons are usually seen as protective and appear without wings.

Also transcribed as  Ryuuichi, this Japanese name is notably borne by Olympic figure skater, Ryuichi Kihara, and by composer Ryuchi Sakamoto. As with many Japanese names, the meaning varies depending on which kanji are used, but options are: "a willow tree"; "to stand and establish once"; "the dragon one"; "noble, prosperous one" and "equal to lapis lazuli" among others. 

Ryuichi

Appearing as a character in the popular video game, Persona 5, Ryuji is a Japanese name with several cool meanings. It is made up of the elements Ryū meaning "dragon" or "noble, prosperous", and ji meaning "two" or "officer, boss". Like with many Japanese names however, other kanji combinations are possible, with "elevate, rule" and "dragon child" being two more options.
 
In the video game, the character's name is supposed to reflect the name of the samurai and shishi (political activist), Sakamoto Ryōma.

Ryuji

A name reflecting the protective role dragons often play in Japanese legend and mythology, the name may also be transcribed as Ryuunosuke and Ryūnosuke. It appears in the game franchise Ace Attorney.

Ryunosuke

A sunny, floral choice, Sakiko combines saki meaning "blossom" and ko meaning "child", this could make a charming choice for a child born when the trees are in blossom, or to celebrate the idea of new life, beginnings, and success.

Sakiko

Historically, the samurai were a professional warrior class in pre-industrial Japan, who would train from a young age to be highly skilled in archery, swordmanship, and fighting on horseback. It is believed their name comes from the word saburau, and means "one who serves", in reference to the fact that they would serve the lords of Japan.
 
While the samurai had lost most of their status and power by the 1870s, owing to foreign trade, pressure from America, the introduction of modern firearms, and the shift to capitalism, the warrior figure remains prominent in films, folktales, and anime. 
 
But why is Samurai in the Nameberry Database? Title names, regal names, and wild word choices have been popular in recent years, with Saint, Kaiser, Legend, and Royal included in the contemporary name pool. Additionally, several Japanese names have begun to be used more internationally, such as Kenji, Kenzo, and Raiden, making Samurai less unlikely than at first glance.
 
In 2026, Food Network star Duff Goldman and his wife Johnna named their son Samurai Jack — quite the departure from their old daughter Josephine's name. Goldman has stated that he'd always wanted to name his son Sam, but liked the idea of having something totally surprising on the birth certificate, and Samurai is that. 
 
With nicknames Sam, Sammy. Rai, and Sai, the celebrity couple aren't the first to use it in the US. It has been given in small numbers since 2004, in fact.

Samurai

Sasa is a simple name with complex origins. In the Cherokee language, it means goose. It might also be a Hungarian or other Easterm European short form of Sarah or Alexandra, ala Sasha.

Some sources also claim that Sasa is a Japanese name, meaning bamboo or help, aid.

Sasa

Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name. 

Hoshi

Also transliterated as Saiomi, this Japanese name can mean "small, beautiful world", "young midnight beauty", "sand, leaf, fruit", or "night born" depending on which kanji elements are used. First entering the US stats in 2025, likely following the rise of Kiyomi and Kyomi, it was given to 5 girls in the latest count.



Sayomi

A stylish sounding choice, which could be a variation of Suhana, a Sanskrit and Hindi name meaning "beautiful" and "pleasant" or of Sahana meaning "to be patient" and "to endure" in Arabic and "to bloom, flower" in Japanese. 

Sehana

Hiroko

A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May. 

Haruko

Succinct and sleek, Sōta was traditionally written with the kanji combination of "robust + great", however, in more recent years, parents have gone for the kanji which means "sudden gust of wind + great". Also transcribed as Souta and Sota, it has been a popular choice in Japan since the 2000s. 

Sōta

Also transcribed as Sōta and Sota, this succinct and stylish Japanese name has ranked in the Top 10 in Japan in recent years. Depending on which kanji characters are used, Souta can mean "robust + great", lending it sturdiness and strength, or it can mean  "sudden sound of the wind + , great" which adds a touch of flair to the choice and connects it to nature. While the former option is the 'traditional' meaning, the latter is favored by cotemporary parents. 


Souta

A bright yet gentle sounding botanical choice, Taimi has that cool, strong EYE sound and an appealing -i ending. Not to be confused with 60s and 70s fave, Tammy, Taimi relates to plants in Estonian and to young saplings in Finnish, though they ultimately share the same root. 
 
Taimi is also used as a Japanese name, making this a multicultural option. It may be interpreted as meaning "great + beauty" or "peaceful + to see", though other kanji combinations are possible. 
 
It may be worth noting that Taimi is the name of a dating app, pronounced, in this case, as "TAY-mee".

Taimi

An upbeat Japanese name that can mean "waterfall child" or "abundant joy" depending on which kanji are used, Takiko appears in the novel The Lost Future of Pepperharrow by Natasha Pulley. It has also been notably borne by actress Takiko Mizunoe.

Takiko

Tamakazura appears as a name in the Japanese classic, The Tale of Genji (or Genji Monogatari) by 11th century noble woman, Murasaki Shikibu. Meaning "jeweled chaplet" (a string of prayer beads), or possibly "jeweled hair" or "jeweled wreath or garland", it is borne by a ghostly character who appears before a priest, who in turn sets her free with his prayers.
 
It is rarely, if ever, used as a given name in Japan.

Tamakazura

Japanese baby names are rarely used in the English-speaking world, as English names are rarely used in Japan. In other Asian countries, people often take on English names to ease pronunciation and spelling confusion when going to school or working internationally, but Japanese names are spelled and pronounced in a way that translates across tongues. 

Japanese names in the US Top 1000 for girls

 include Amaya, Kairi, Reina, Sara, and Tori. For boys, 

 include Asa, Kane, Kai, Raiden, and Ren. In Japan, popular names include Sakura, Yuna, Haruki, and Riku.



Not many Americans or British are able to speak Japanese, making for less fluid travel of names between cultures. Japanese baby names that work best in the West are those that are familiar via celebrities, pop culture, or similarity to more familiar Western names such as Hana, Kai, or Zen. 

There are many other lovely Japanese names for girls or boys worth browsing here is you’re looking for an unusual international name for your baby son or daughter.



Our full roster of Japanese baby names follows, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Japanese Names for baby girls and baby boys, with meanings and popularity, including popular Japanese baby names and rare names with their origin in Japan country and culture. (Page 9)

Japanese Names (with Meanings & Popularity)