Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Japanese
"plum-blossom child, patient"
Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different.
"rabbit"
Seen as a name for this first time in the anime Sailor Moon .
"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 .
"peaceful, quiet"
Calming Japanese choice.
"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,…
"gentle friend; dream friend"
Cute and nicknamey girl name with a great meaning to boot.
"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 .
"tongue"
Zetsu is a monstrous character name from the Naruto anime and manga series. It's not used as a baby name in Japan, where it literally means "tongue." We like its zippy sound but admit that you're…
Estonian, English
"languid, inert; lockpicking; grey"
A soundalike to Lloyd (and potentially a variation of it), Loid is also an Estonian surname meaning "languid". It may however be best associated with the character Loid Forger from the Spy × Family…
"good, valuable"
Notably borne by singer Yoshiki Hayashi and by a central character in the manga series The Summer Hikaru Died Yoshiki is a Japanese name, with various meanings, depending on the kanji combinations…
"heavenly sound; sound of rain; everywhere"
A gentle Japanese name with a variety of meanings, Amane is associated with pleasing sounds and harmonies and with being sweet and mild, tranquil and calm. Other kanji elements connected it to rain…
Japanese, Spanish, Greek
"violet flower"
Used for a character in the popular manga and anime series, Spy × Family , Yor is a transliteration of the Japanese pronunciation of Yol, Yol being a nickname for the Spanish and Greek Yolanda. As…
Also appearing as Yor, Yoru is used for a character in the popular anime and manga series, Spy × Family . It is an Anglicization of the Japanese pronunciation of Yol, itself a nickname for Yolanda,…
Popular culture, Japanese, Greek
"blossom, flower"
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,…
"pedestal"
Appearing in the anime series Revolutionary Girl Utena , Utena is possibly inspired by the Japanese word for "pedestal", though it is also viewed as a pop-culture creation. The character is known for…
Popular culture
"truth; see through; see true"
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…
"dawn; daybreak"
Akatsuki has never been particularly common for boys in Japan, but it was used in Naruto as the name of a criminal organization.
