Japanese Baby Names

Aiko

Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community. Pronounced ah-ee-ko.Read More 

Aimi

Aki

A name known in several cultures, also through animated book character Tiger Aki. Finnish author Aki Ollikainen is another notable bearer.Read More 

Aki

A name known in several cultures, also through animated book character Tiger Aki. Finnish author Aki Ollikainen is another notable bearer.Read More 

Akio

Akira

A popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games.Read More 

Amarante

Amaya

The Spanish form of Amaya is both a given name and a surname, originating from the Spanish mountain and village of Amaya. In this context it means “mother city” or “the capital.” Amaya can also be... Read More 

Aya

Simple names have their appeal, but Aya, barely more than a breath, maybe be too simple. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.

In the entertainment industry, Aya has two international... Read More 

Chiyo

The childhood name of the heroine of Memoirs of a Geisha is pretty and accessible. Chiyiko is a pet form.Read More 

Gen

Commonly used in Japan, and so much more distinguished than Jen. Read More 

Hanako

Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms,... Read More 

Haruki

Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, well known in the U. S. , might inspire some namesakes. Read More 

Ishi

Connotes a strong, solid character. Read More 

Issey

Japanese-born fashion designer Issey Miyake, known for his techno-clothes, could provide baby naming inspiration.Read More 

Kai

Kai has many origins, but in the US is most commonly referred to as being of Japanese and Hawaiian derivation, meaning “sea.” In Europe, Kai is largely considered to have Frisian origin as a... Read More 

Kairi

Kairi is the name of the main female character in the popular role-playing video game series, Kingdom Hearts. Voiced by Hayden Panettiere in the main series, Kairi is one of the seven... Read More 

Kane

A name of multiple identities: a somewhat soap-operatic single-syllable surname, a homonym for the biblical bad boy Cain, and, when found in Japan and Hawaii, it transforms into the two syllable... Read More 

Kaori

Kaori is a Japanese girls' name largely unknown but easily translated in the Western World. It's got a rhythmic sound and a familiar feel, maybe since it's similar to Maori, the name of the... Read More 

Katana

Katana is a male name in Old Persian and a well-used word in Japanese, but as a girls' name is these days found more often as Kitana, the name of a princess in the video game Mortal Kombat II.Read More