Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Japanese
"double happiness; peaceful boss"
Koji, also written as Kōji, is a common name among men in Japan. It is also featured as a character name in many anime series.
Japanese, Korean
"dignified, severe; jade, clear"
A very popular name for girls in Japan, though it is a unisex choice. It can mean "severe, cold", but also "dignified", "ethics" and "phosphorus", depending on the kanji used. It is notably used for…
Variation of Toby, English
"God is good"
Tobi is typically used as an alternate spelling of Toby, a common nickname for Tobias. In the anime series Naruto , the name Tobi is written in kanji giving it the meaning "ten tails."
Kanon is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, it relates to the Buddhist goddess of mercy (観音), representing compassion and perception. In Western contexts, it may be a…
"loving reason; blessing + reason; hometown blessing; picture + pear"
Short and sweet Eri is a common female name in Japan that could cross cultures quite easily.
English, Scottish, and Irish surname
"descendant of Hugh; one who lives near the wood clearing"
Modern way to honor an ancestral Hugh.
English
"mist"
Misty is simultaneously an airy and nature inspired choice and a nickname-y gem with a retro feel. First appearing in the US Top 1000 back in the 1960s, it peaked in 1977 when it reached #40. It was…
Spanish variation of Annabelle, combination of Anna and Belle or variation of Amabel
"loving"
Anabel is the sleekest version of this lovely name with so many variations, all of them correct. But Anabel and all her sisters -- Annabel, Annabelle, Anabella etc. -- took a downward turn after the…
Irish or French surname
"champion; not land"
Noland exists as a surname among the Irish and the French. In Ireland, it's a variation of the much more common Nolan. As a French surname, Noland is derived from Germanic components not , "need" and…
"severe, dignified; jade"
Sharp and to the point, Rin is a unisex Japanese name, meaning "severe, cold", "dignified", or "ethics" depending on the kanji used. It may also be considered a variation of the Chinese Lin, lending…
Italian, diminutive of Nicola
"people of victory"
A much more dynamic nickname than Nicky for any of the Nic-names. Part of a growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Stevie and Lou - Nico has cheerful, snappy sounds, and a fresh,…
Japanese, Sanskrit, or variation of Amy
"second beauty; second ocean; second truth; nectar; beloved"
A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."
"sunflower; facing the sun"
Hinata is a unisex Japanese name and surname but is primarily seen as a given name among women. It has many possible meanings, most of which have something to do with the sun.
"bell or beautiful"
A sweet and simple Japanese name with several possible meanings, depending on the kanji characters used.
"arrow child"
A vibrant Japanese name with an adventurous meaning, Yumiko is a popular name in Japan. It has a range of meanings, including "arrow child", "permeance and beauty child", and "evening beauty child".…
Scandinavian and Finnish variation of Aino, Catalan variation of Anna, Japanese, Latvian, Kazakh, Yoruba
"always; grace; lover of green; sight; mirror; delivery had complications [umbilical cord twisted around neck]"
A bright-sounding name with multicultural appeal, used regularly as a first name in Japan, Scandinavia, Latvia, and Spain. The Yoruba name Aina, pronounced ah-ee-NAH, is traditionally used for baby…
Word name or diminutive of Rocco
"rock or rest"
Rock definitely has a macho image, if a somewhat caricatured one, ala The Rock. But with the rise of word names and also of tough guy names, Rock feels more plausible than it did a generation ago.
English, diminutive of Walter or Wallace
A Leave It to Beaver/old comic-strip name, vacationing for years with the Griswolds in WallyWorld, but now back as WALL-E?
English nature name
"small stream"
Now that the popularity of Brooke is waning, and surname style variant Brooks is on the rise, Brook seems live a newly fresh nature-inspired option.
"superior garment"
Very popular girls' name in Japan not quite as easy to transport westward as the also-popular Rin.
