Anime Names

A relatively popular Japanese name with cool nickname potential and a vibrant sound.

Protagonist of the manga and anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The kanji used to spell his name give it the meaning of "coal + calm son," which describe his former profession as a coal worker.

Light, bright unisex name. Hikari is more popular for girls in Japan these days.

Although he goes by the alias Pain in Naruto, Nagato's name actually means "long-lasting gate." It is speculated that his name comes from famed 16th-century ninja Fujibayashi Nagato.

Jinbe, also called Jinbei or Jimbei is a whale-like character in the anime series One Piece. His name comes from the word jinbei-zame, "whale-shark."

Sasuke Uchiha is a popular character from Naruto, a ninja rival of the titular character.

Dainty and doll-like.

Japanese word for "scarecrow" that is used as a name in Howl's Moving Castle and Naruto.

Used in the video game series, Ace Attorney, Trucy is the name given to a profession stage magician in the fictional universe. Inspired by the word "true" and by the phrase "see through", her name is play on the character's ability to perceive things, notice tricks, and understand others' intentions.

Older Japanese name given new life in the anime series One Piece.

The only bearers of this name are fictional, such as the Naruto character Sasori of the Red Sand.

Hanabi is the Japanese word for fireworks and is rarely given as a name to babies. The most famous Hanabi is Koko the Gorilla — "birth" name Hanabi-ko, or "fireworks child." Koko, known for her use of "Gorilla Sign Language," was born at the San Francisco Zoo on the 4th of July, hence the meaning of her name.

Best known as the name of Naruto Uzumaki, the main character in the Naruto anime series. It's also a common place name in Japan—the Naruto whirlpools are said to have inspired the name of the manga character.

Notably used for characters in Spirited Away and Naruto.

Japanese name featured regularly in anime and manga.

The Japanese word for "weasel" was chosen as the name of Itachi Uchiha, a character in Naruto. In anime, name meanings often relate to a character's story. Weasels are bad luck in Japanese culture and are associated with death. In this case, Itachi killed his entire family besides his brother, so his name's meaning was appropriate.

Pronunciation would not be obvious to Americans.

Kinoko Komori is a character in the anime series My Hero Academia. Appropriately, one of her primary interests is mushrooms.

White-haired hero of the manga and anime series Bleach.

An alternative transcription of the floral Greek name Anthe, this spelling is notably used in the popular anime series, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Also associated with a Greek nymph of fair weather, with blossoming flowers, and a moon of Saturn, it could make a subtle pop-culture-inspired choice, for fans of the anime.