Awesome Japanese Names

Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.

Despite being etymologically unrelated, Aimi has a similar meaning to the name Amy, "beloved."

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

Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.

As an English nickname, Emi can be short for anything beginning with (or containing) the popular "em" sound, such as Emily, Emilia, or maybe even Clementine.

Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.

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

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

Commonly used Japanese name -- and not only for a second son.

Kaori is a Japanese girls' name once largely unknown but brought into the spotlight by celebrity couple Eniko and Kevin Hart, who gave it to their daughter in 2020. Kaori is 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 people and language of New Zealand. But the correct pronunciation is kow-ree.

Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.

In many minds this one belongs to Barbie, but with such positive meanings and international connections, can Ken make the transition to usability again?

One of several Japanese names that refer to a child's place in the family birth order. Kenji has attracted notice in the US as the name of The Food Lab chef, James Kenji López-Alt, know simply as Kenji.