Japanese Boy Names
- Tora
Description:
Tora as a masculine name has multiple potential origins. In Japanese, Tora means 'tiger,' symbolizing strength and courage. In Norse traditions, it could be a masculine variant of 'Thor,' the god of thunder, or related to the name Tore. In Hebrew contexts, Tora might reference the Torah, though this usage is less common for boys. The name's brevity gives it a strong, distinctive quality across cultures. While predominantly used as a feminine name in some regions, as a masculine choice it remains uncommon in Western countries. Its cross-cultural meanings and simple pronunciation make it appealing to parents seeking a concise, meaningful name with international resonance and natural strength.
- Yoshi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"good, respectful"Description:
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
- Yukio
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"snow boy"Description:
In the Japanese culture, this name suggests a sense of independence and is one of the popular names for December babies.
- Hiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"broad, widespread"Description:
Hiro is an apt name for a hero of the show Heroes -- and for our times. Widely used in Japan, sometimes also for girls. Hiroshi is a long form.
- Issey
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"first-born"Description:
Japanese-born fashion designer Issey Miyake, known for his techno-clothes, could provide baby naming inspiration.
- Goku
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"aware of emptiness"Description:
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 Chinese legend Journey to the West.
- Hiroto
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"great flying"Description:
A very popular Japanese boys' name whose characters refer to the constellation Ursa Major. Short form Hiro might work better in the West, as may another popular Japanese boys' name, Ren.
- Obama
Origin:
Luo; JapaneseMeaning:
"bending or leaning; little beach"Description:
The surname of the 44th US President has been been adopted as a first, for girls as well as boys, by admiring parents around the world. And the O beginning even makes it fashionable. Though Barack Obama's name derives from the Luo people of Kenya, Obama is also a Japanese place name and a surname that means "little beach."
- Hikaru
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"light or radiance"Description:
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.
- Aki
Origin:
Japanese; FinnishMeaning:
"born in the autumn; ancestor"Description:
A name known in several cultures, also through animated book character Tiger Aki. Finnish author Aki Ollikainen is another notable bearer.
- Maro
Origin:
Latin, Hebrew, or JapaneseMeaning:
"from Mars; bitter; or, myself"Description:
Maro is an ancient saints' name -- he was an Italian follower of St. Flavia and was martyred -- rarely used in modern life. The name Maro may stem from the Roman Marcellus, related to Mars, the god of war, or it may be a feminine form of Maria, connected with Mario. Maro is also a Japanese name meaning "myself."
- Akiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"bright boy; man of autumn"Description:
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.
- Botan
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"peony"Description:
One Japanese name that feels Western, though not quite American.
- Fuji
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"dweller near the river where wisteria grows"Description:
To honor the majestic mountain.
- Haruki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"spring tree"Description:
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 its literary credibility.
- Hideki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"bright tree"Description:
As well as Japanese physicist Hideki Yukawa, two Yankees ballplayers, Hideki Irabu and Hideki Matsui, made this name familiar to Americans.
- Ichiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"firstborn son"Description:
Ichiro is a good classic choice for the first boy in a Japanese family.
- Iku
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"nourishing"Description:
Iku is an easily assimilated Japanese name.
- Jiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"second son"Description:
Also written as Jirō, this is a commonly used Japanese name, sometimes as a standalone and sometimes as a suffix. Often written to mean "second son", other kanji elements may be used to create the meanings "son, reign", "second, melodious", and "next son".
- Kano
Origin:
African place-name or JapaneseMeaning:
"the god of the waters"Description:
Pleasing crossover possibility.
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