In Japan, surnames are placed before given names, and the given name always consists of one syllable.
However, you can use kanji (characters with Chinese origins) to give your child both meaning and an interesting word.
Here are some of the most famous Japanese boy names and their meanings. Note that multiple ways exist to write the same character in Japanese.
So, some characters may be pronounced differently than their Mandarin roots suggest.
Japanese Boy Names
Masahiro
Masahiro is one of the standard Japanese boy names. The meaning of Masahiro is the light-rays, man. How popular is Masahiro?
However, how popular is Masahiro in Japan? Approximately 58,535 people in Japan are called Masahiro, according to Facebook statistics. And around 14,982 people speak Japanese every day.
Therefore, Learn more about its origin & common sibling names. Read on. Have you heard of it? What do you think about it? More so, feel free to leave a comment about your thoughts or experiences with Masahiro. Is Masahiro used as a girl name or a boy name? It’s used for both.
Satoshi
Satoshi can be either read as Satoshi or Sato. Satoshi is a relatively common name in Japan, ranking No. 22 among all boys in 2015. The most famous Santos include manga creator Satoshi Kon and longtime Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata.
More so, as a given name outside of Japan. It’s pretty rare, appearing on only two other Top 1000 lists: Estonia and Belgium. Both countries have large Japanese populations.
However, in both cases, it’s ranked by far as one of their most popular Japanese boy names. That isn’t native to their country or language.
Sho
Sho is one of the Japanese boy names. The meaning of Sho is to be admirable, to be long-lived. Read more about Sho: Places, Books, Films, Games, Other.
Furthermore, Sho is one of Japan’s most famous Japanese boy names. At number three, with over 200 babies born with that name in 2013 alone. Its origin as a name was in Japan, where it was given to 30 new baby boys in 2013.
However, it would appear that despite its popularity in Japan, it is yet to catch on anywhere in recent years. But let’s hope that’s something that can change soon.
As well as being used as an actual baby boy’s name itself. Sho could also be used as part of another word or phrase, which can have other meanings.
Kaito
Kaito means bright and clear and is derived from Chinese origins. It is also a variation of Kai, which can be spelled as Kai or Kye. In China, there are various meanings associated with Kaito.
However, one meaning symbolizes happiness and joy, while another is to bring good fortune. For those who believe in Buddhist beliefs, it can mean auspiciousness or a year of goodness and luck. The name may have been derived from a legendary person known as Kaiun Soryo.
While there was also another character named Jusaburo Otaka, known for using Kaito as his pen name, the term has also been used in Japan for people holding a government position within Edo or Tokyo. Prefecture at some point in history.
Shin
Shin is a masculine name of Japanese boy names and its origin. The meaning of the name is new or heart or authentic feeling. The most popular year for Shin was 1988 when it was given to 611 baby boys.
However, it had a ranking of #3 then. (2015 Birth Statistics). Other popular years were 1994, 1995, and 1987, when it ranked at #5 with 578, 575, and 574 births, respectively. In 2015 it ranked at #9 with 621 Japanese baby arsenal named Shin born that year in Japan.
Therefore, some famous people named Shin are Actor Shun Oguri, Singer-songwriter Miliyah Kato, and Actor Shingo Katori.
Singer-songwriter Seiko Matsuda; Producer Shinsuke Shimada; Actress Shizuka Ishibashi; Footballer Shinji Kagawa. What do they mean?
Yuuki
Yusuke or Yuuki is a typical Japanese boy name meaning good faith. This can also be written as ユウスケ or 雄介. Yusuke, Yuuki, and Yūsuke are all ways to write it in kanji.
More so, the name was made popular by two famous people. Yusuke Yamamoto is a Japanese filmmaker who directed movies like Phoenix, Confessions, and live-action.
Rurouni Kenshin series; Yuuki Ono is a professional footballer who plays midfielder for the Dutch club Feyenoord.
June
It may look like a name from elsewhere. But Yuta is a modern take on an old traditional character from Japan. It comes from 幽太, a variation of 幽霊.
However, the kanji can be read as you or you, which translates literally to something like ghost or phantom. It also refers to Yūta Sasaki in Naruto Shippuden and Yuuta Togashi in Shokugeki no Soma. Along with Kento, we think these are some of the most underused names on our list.
Takumi
Takumi is one of the Japanese boy names. In Japanese, Takumi means -craftsman. The name Takumi is most commonly given to American boys.
Therefore, how popular is Takumi? Takumi is a rare first name for men but a prevalent surname for all people. (#43634 out of 150436, Top 1%) (2000 U.S. Census).
More so, which version is better? With its source form and related boy names.
Tatsuya
Tatsuya is one of the Japanese boy names origin, meaning that it is used most often. It’s part of a group of names that includes names from cultural origins and expressions from other languages. Tatsuya is at number 861 in popularity, ranking among all boy names in Japan.
Therefore, is your name Tatsuya or do you know someone named Tatsuya? Please share with us. If you like this page, please let others know about it.
Shouta
Shouta is a male name of Japanese origin, meaning Bright as a shining star and rising sun. Its female equivalent is Shouko. It is also used as an independent name for girls.
However, Kanji: 祥太 Meaning: Bright as a shining star and rising sun; rising sun, bright future Kana reading. ショウタ Meaning: Bright as a shining star and rising sun; rising sun, bright future; blessed, happy
Haru
It means spring. Haru was traditionally considered a feminine name, but it is also commonly used for boys. The name can also be written with a different character with no gender association.
However, another theory is that Haru may have come from Korean: 하루, which also means day or daytime. In Chinese astrology, people born in Aries are believed to possess qualities represented by these animals: tiger, horse, and ram.
PAAkio
Akio is used mainly in the Japanese language, meaning the first son. The name Akio can be given to baby boys. It is one of the famous Japanese boy names.
However, Name Ranking: Top 500. Other information: Another version of Ako is usually only given to girls and has different meanings. This name also appears as Akira or Akiro.
Therefore, Nicknames are Aki-chan, Aki-Kun, Akka, and Akemi. This name means the first son in Japanese. But it is also spelled differently depending on how pronounced – either as Akira or Akiro.
Hinata
Hinata is a Japanese boy name. In Japanese, Hinata means – field; sunflower. The name Hinata is most given to American boys.
Botan
Botan comes from a word that means peony, a plant native to China. It was also used in ancient times to refer to Japan. Botan could be used as a masculine or feminine name in Japanese culture and history.
However, it’s most famous as a boy’s name, particularly after artist Yousui Ito chose it for his son in 1934. A year later, he became known for drawing depictions of Botan around Tokyo.
Today, many parents still choose Botan as their sons’ names. Because they believe it will protect them from illness and disease as other botanical names have done for others.
Jiro
Jiro is a male name of Japanese origin, meaning longevity. It is one of many Japanese boy names beginning with Ji. It is often used as an alternative spelling of Jirō and Goro.
However, due to transliteration difficulties, the name can also be spelled Jiroy or Jiryoh. But these spellings are rare in Japan itself. This name has been in use since 1940.
Therefore its usage peaked in popularity in 1981. It was among the top five most popular Japanese boy names for several years.
In 2006, 126 male babies were named Jiro on average per year in Japan. Today, 384 baby boys have been given this name in 2010 alone.
Sana
Indeed a keeper name in Japan, Sana has become extremely popular in recent years. Japanese Sana means peace and calmness.
Sana is one of many Japanese boy’s names that have risen in popularity in recent years. However, if you’re looking for a name that means healthy or happy, you’ve found it.
Sana means health and is derived from Arabic origins. This is a name for your little boy who enjoys putting all his energy into being happy and healthy.
Chicago
As a Japanese name, Chicago means authority; another name for Tezcatlipoca also gives advice. Chicago is used mainly in Japanese. It is pronounced chih-KAH-oh.
Therefore, Chikao can be used as a boy’s and girl’s names. Some more alternative forms of Chikao are Chekwa and Cheque.
Touma
Touma means Handsome in Japanese. The name Touma is most commonly given to American boys.
Basically, in England, it is of Arabic origin, meaning: Handsome. Touma is often added to lists like Middle name ideas for boys.
Daiki
No, it’s not in a foreign language. Daiki is a perfect name for boys (and girls) in many parts of Asia and Japan.
In addition to big names like Taiki and Taiyou, Daiki may be better known as Dave in English-speaking countries. Not only was that his name when he arrived, but he became famous as Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame. This boy’s name first appeared in America in 1979 — about a decade before Wendy debuted.
Therefore, the inventor or popularizer of Daiki remains a mystery. But he thought there was at least one advantage to giving his child a distinctly Japanese name: individuality. His children can stand out from all those plain Janes and Johns.
Goro
Goro is one of the Japanese boy names. In Japanese, the meaning of the name Goro is Helmeted boy. Notable people with the name include Goro (given name), a Japanese male given name; Goro (surname) (1786–1858).
However, Japanese Heian and Edo period historians wrote in kanban and kana. Gorō Ohsaka, born 1984, actor; Gorō Naya, born 1935, poet. Goro as an English boy name: Goro is an English baby name.
More so, in English, the meaning of the name Goro is A helmet.
ESHabiki
This name is derived from two words. The first one, habiki, means budding. The second word is ki which refers to a male child and means child in Japanese. Therefore, Hibiki can be interpreted as meaning developing child. This name originated from Japan, and there are almost no records of being used by people outside that country.
In fact, until recently, it was rarely given to boys outside of Japan for any reason at all. It has only been used for quite some time now in that country. Its usage is increasing yearly even though it is still not as popular as Japanese boy names.
Itachi
The name Itachi means Willow or violet flower. The name Itachi is most often used as a Japanese boy name. The name Itachi comes from Japanese origins.
However, in Japanese, The meaning of the name Itachi is Indigo plant, willow tree. A willowy man. An unrivaled warrior who can attack with weapons and genjutsu at great speed.
More so, he was once an ANBU captain until he defected to Orochimaru. He has long hair and pale skin and wears a mask that resembles a weasel’s face over his mouth. He only removes it when eating, so he doesn’t accidentally swallow it.
He has two red cross-shaped marks on his cheeks, which give him special powers in battle. His abilities include using fire jutsu without hand seals and spitting out large amounts of water from his mouth like a sprinkler.
However, these techniques were not seen in complete detail before his death at Naruto’s hands.
Mako
Mako is a Japanese boy name. The meaning of Mako is a wise teacher; loyalty. Mako is used as both a Japanese girl name and a Japanese boy name.
However, the name Mako is most commonly used as a boy or male name. In Japanese, the name Mako means -wise teacher; loyalty. The name Mako originated as a Japanese name.
Therefore, the name Mako is used as a boy or male name.
Suki
Suki has a couple of different meanings depending on its character combination, making it one of the more complex names. Suki can be derived from two Japanese words and means happy or pure when written with characters that mean pleasure.
However, it can also be a short form for names like Sosuke (spelled with symbols that represent help). These meanings bring along entirely different personality traits to each word. A Suki named after Kensuke may be ambitious and have an interest in martial arts.
Meanwhile, a boy named Sosuke might be reserved and well-liked by his peers.
Oda
The name Oda is one of the Japanese boy names. In Japanese, the meaning of the name Oda is Great rice field. Logan as an Irish boy name: The name Logan is an Irish baby name.
Therefore, in Irish, the meaning of the name Logan is: From Loch Each. The surname and place name is derived from Scottish Gaelic Logainmneacha (or Logainmne). Famous Bearer: American actor and director James Stewart (1908-1997).
Rika
Rika is one of the Japanese boy names, although it can also be used as a female name. The name means the second son in Japanese.
In some cases, Rika is considered a variant of Ryuu, a Japanese boy name that means dragon and stream. According to SSA data from 2010, Rika was not among the top 1,000 most popular names for boys. And was not ranked among any of the agency’s regional lists.
Nori
Nori is one of the old Japanese boy names, meaning seaweed or sea-soil. It’s pretty and unique. Nori is used less often these days; it was last ranked in 2015 when it was given to 71 boys.
However, you might use Nori as a middle name, though that’s not so common anymore either. As a word of advice: stick with Nori for a first name. Japanese names can be tricky with multiple characters, even if they’re not familiar.
Therefore, they’ll come up often enough during school (in their Romanized forms). And he will have plenty of opportunities to correct people who can’t figure out how to pronounce his name correctly. Or you could switch things up.
Keiko
Keiko is one of the Japanese boy names meaning pure. The name Keiko is most commonly given to Norwegian boys. (1) Keiko is a popular boy name in Japan, but where is it more popular than its Japanese meaning?
Unsurprisingly, it is much more prevalent in Norway as a male baby name. The following chart shows recent statistics: Norway (10 babies), Japan (9), Malaysia (7), and Malaysia (5). That makes Norway top of the list. Therefore, there are currently no instances of Keiko being used as a girl’s name anywhere in the world.
Momo
Momo, pronounced moe-moe, is also used in some European countries. It has been around since pre-World War II. And rose to fame when one of Japan’s most famous soccer players took it in 1998.
Momo is gaining popularity as a unisex name in several Asian countries such as South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Momo has also made its way into southern France.
Therefore, it may be used as a girl’s name, though. So please check with your local government office before using Momo for your little boy.
Kumiko
Kumiko is part of the excellent Japanese boy names. The meaning of Kumiko is cloud and bag, and its origin is Japanese. It’s used mainly for baby boys.
More so, Kumiko, pronounced Koo-mee-Koh, means clouds in a bag. Cloud bags are also known as cumulus or nimbus clouds. Look at those fluffy bags; you can see how they got their name.
However, this one is not only popular but also versatile, and you can use it for either gender. With a few spelling changes, Kumiko works well for both girls (Kumi) and boys (Kumiko). This makes it an excellent choice if you want to honor your heritage without using something too traditional.
For example, if your family hails from Japan but you live in North America. Then Kumi might be more appropriate than something like Sayuri or Hiroko. If you want something less traditional but still with an Asian flair, consider Kenji or Riku instead.
Nishi
Nishi can be used as both a Japanese boy name and a Japanese girl name. Whether or not it’s a unisex name depends on how you use it. The meaning of Nishi is west. Therefore, remember that some characters may have many meanings depending on their use. Other possible origins for Nishi include Japanese, Indian, Gujarati, Hindu, Hindi, and Nepalese. Learn more about Nishi
Youko
Youko is one of the Japanese boy names. The meaning of Youko is people, humanity. Numerology: People with this name are ambitious, compassionate, imaginative, strong-willed, and self-determined.
However, they also tend to be spiritual and interested in humanitarian affairs. Youko can be inspiring leaders and are generally successful in whatever they do. They can be excellent community leaders due to their compassion toward others.
