Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Japanese
"evil"
Appropriately used for anime antagonists, not human babies.
"devil, demon"
Nice baby name with a devilish meaning.
"tomorrow truth"
This name can have many different meanings depending the kanji used to write it. The Naruto character Asuma Sarutobi writes his name with kanji meaning "tomorrow truth."
"color + child; peaceful night child; writings + child"
Ayako is a very common feminine name in Japan, where it is the name of Princess Ayako of Takamado (now Ayako Moriya), formerly of the Imperial House of Japan.
Best known as the name of a chimpanzee living in the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University.
"bolt"
Boruto is not a given name in Japan, but it was used for Naruto's son in the Naruto franchise. The name is based off of the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "bolt."
English word name
"aggressive"
With words like Rowdy and Breaker transforming into baby names, it's only a matter of time before Brawly makes the list as well.
"little, small"
Chibi is Japanese slang for someone or something small (and typically cute). It is not used as a given name in the real world, however, a number of anime characters are named Chibi.
"little rabbit"
Chibiusa was created as a name for the Sailor Moon franchise. It's the nickname of Purinsesu Usagi Sumōru Redi Sereniti (Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity). Usagi, which is also her mother's name,…
"thousand generations"
The childhood name of the heroine of Memoirs of a Geisha is pretty and accessible. Chiyiko is a pet form.
"child of one thousand generations"
Considered an old-fashioned choice in Japan.
"butterfly"
Repetitive Japanese name with a flittering meaning.
"second butterfly"
Ethereal Japanese boy name.
Variation of Choko, Japanese
"butterfly child"
A more unusual romaji spelling of Choko.
Invented name
"cilantro"
Though it appears as if it could be Irish, Cilan is an invented name from the Pokemon universe, derived directly from the word "cilantro."
Spanish variation of Claudia, Latin
"lame"
Claudina — a traditional Spanish diminutive of Claudia — was a Top 500 name in Spain for the first half of the 20th century. It never caught on as a given name in the US. At its peak, Claudina was…
Variation of Clement, Latin
"mild, merciful"
This practically unique variation of Clement has appeared on the charts four times: 1917, 1918, 1920, and 1971. Each year, it was only given to five baby boys.
"great help"
A relatively popular Japanese name with cool nickname potential and a vibrant sound.
"mud"
Naruto character with an appropriate name meaning — Deidara was known for his clay sculptures, and his name means "mud."
"electricity"
Electrifying Japanese name.
