Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
Anime Names
Across 14 pages
of 14
Masuyo
Japanese
"increase + generation; increase + gift"
Masuyo has always been a rarity in Japan, but it was more common in the 19th century than at any other time.
May
Diminutive of Margaret and Mary; month name
May is a sweet old-fashioned name that hasn't been on the national charts in several decades, but is definitely sounding fresh and springlike. Parents are beginning to see it once more as one of the…
Mayu
Japanese
"genuine excellence; cocoon"
Common Japanese name with a pleasant meaning, no matter how you write it.
Medusa
Greek
"protect, rule"
In Greek myth, Medusa was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, with live venomous snakes in place of hair and the ability to turn people to stone with just a glance. In later myths, Medusa was…
Megumi
Japanese
"blessing"
An Asian name not widely known in the West.
Mei
Chinese; Hawaiian
"beautiful; plum"
Homophonous with Mae and May, the beautiful (literally) Mei is poised to climb the charts. The hero of the 2022 Disney/Pixar film Turning Red is a Chinese-Canadian teen named Meilin "Mei" Lee, which…
Metal
English word name
"metal"
Gem names are having their moment — metal names could feasibly be next.
Metaria
Invented name
"metal"
Metaria was created for Queen Metaria of the Sailor Moon franchise. Her name is derived from the word "metal" — all Sailor Moon villains have metal or mineral names.
Michi
Japanese, German
"path, road; who is like God?"
Michi can be a playful yet charming Japanese name or a friendly German diminutive of Michael (or Michaela), pronounced similarly to Mickey. Either way, it is a unisex option with broad appeal.
Michiaki
Japanese
"bright path, autumn path"
Featured as a character name in several anime series.
Michiru
Japanese
"fulfill; complete; mature"
Unisex Japanese name used primarily for girls.
Midora
English
"green or my gift"
A highly unusual Dora name that may be a spin on the Japanese name Midori, meaning "green," or a combination of Mia "my" plus Dora "gift."
Mikasa
Japanese
"three bamboo hats"
Mikasa references Mount Mikasa, a mountain in Japan with three peaks, thought to look like bamboo hats. The Mikasa battleship was named after the mountain. Mikasa Ackerman, named for the battleship,…
Mimiko
Japanese
"beautiful child"
Depending on the kanji used, this sweet name can have links to the number three, making it perfect for a third child.
Minako
Japanese
"beautiful child"
Common Japanese choice with a covetable meaning.
Misa
Japanese
"beautiful happiness; sea and sand"
Common choice for anime characters.
Misty
English
"mist"
The Play Misty for Me jokes will get old really fast.
Mitsuki
Japanese
"full moon; beautiful moon; moonlight; snake vessel"
Traditionally, this name is written with kanji that give it lovely meanings of "full moon," "moonlight," or similar. The character Mitsuki in Naruto uses kanji that denote the meaning "snake vessel,"…
Moegi
Japanese
"budding sprout"
Moegi Kazamatsuri is a character in the Naruto franchise.
Momo
Japanese
"peach"
Sweet Japanese choice.