Japanese Names

Ichiro is a good classic choice for the first boy in a Japanese family.

Sweet and springy Japanese name.

One of the most familiar and attractive Japanese names, though rarely heard outside that culture.

A unisex Japanese name, with a variety of meanings depending on which kanji combinations are used. It is often said to mean "aster", giving it a botanical tie, and a link to remembrance based on the symbolism of the aster flower.

As a Japanese name, Umina derives from umi, meaning "sea", combined with a range of other kanji characters.

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.

Connotes a strong, solid character.

Seen as both a given name and a surname in Japan. There was a Princess Izumi in eighth-century Japan, forbidden from marriage as her older sisters had already been paired off with the Emperor's sons.

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

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

Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different.

This popular Japanese name has many various meanings (bright, clear, autumn), depending on the combination of kanji used to spell it. The final element is the character ko, meaning "child", which features in many Japanese feminine names. Akiko is one of the best unique names for autumn babies.

Sachiko was one of the first Japanese names familiar to Americans when it was used in the 1950s by actress Shirley Maclaine for her daughter, called the adorable short form Sachi. While Sachiko does not rank on the US Social Security baby names list, Sachi was given to 25 girls in the most recent year counted.

Streamlined and sleek Japanese name with a sweet, fragrant meaning.

Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.

Short and sweet alternative to Mia, Mila, Maya, et al.

Naoko is a common Japanese name with an admirable meaning, which, depending on how it's written, can translate to obedient, straight, honest, or green child. Naoko can also be spelled Nahoko.