Boy Names Lists · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Japanese
"deer holder"
Rare name from the Naruto series. Shikadai shares a name prefix with his father, Shikamaru.
"as a deer"
Shikamaru Nara is one of the most popular characters from Naruto , although this has not translated to any American or many Japanese babies being given the name.
"true, extend, heart, humility"
Common name among Japanese men that can be written with a variety of kanji, giving it different meanings.
"genuine; careful"
Common Japanese name most notably connected to Shigeo Shingō, Japanese industrial engineer and expert on the Toyota Production System.
"bamboo"
This Japanese name is more often seen on girls in Japan, yet you may be familiar with it as a male name thanks to the anime series Naruto .
"burn and freeze"
If you encounter this name in the real world, it may be written using kanji that mean "bright person," "happy person," "blessed person," or other related meanings. However, in the anime series My…
"noble; prosperous; venerable"
Common Japanese name associated with contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.
"sky and heavens"
Class representative in the popular anime series My Hero Academia .
"shine"
Sparkling unisex name that skews masculine in its native Japan.
"thorn"
Toge is a character afflicted with curse speech in the Jujustu Kaisen anime series.
Japanese, meaning unknown
Regal Japanese name borne by the imperial Prince Toneri. In modern times, seen on moon-child Toneri Ōtsutsuki in the Naruto series.
"pierce; sea"
Unisex Japanese name seen on a character in the Haikyū!! manga and anime series.
"bright and sagacious; agile son"
White-haired hero of the manga and anime series Bleach .
"wing"
Japanese name featured regularly in anime and manga.
"increasing boy"
A redhead supporting hero in Naruto , whose name refers to the greater good he contributes to even after his death.
"dark"
Featured in several anime series, including Black Clover and To Love-Ru .
"brave first-born son"
An auspicious name for a first-born son with Japanese heritage. Some may be familiar with the name Yuichi from the anime series Kanon .
"grief; gentle"
Yuta Okkotsu is a major character in the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen . The kanji used in the Japanese manga give his name the meaning "grief," in reference to the loss of his dear childhood friend,…
"never cut twice"
Dynamic name of Naruto villain Zabuza Momochi, also known as Demon of the Hidden Mist.
"cruel"
Zankoku has two ties to anime: as a character in Naruto and in the song Zankoku na tenshi no tēze (A Cruel Angel's Thesis), which was used as the theme song for the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion .
