Feed: Japanese Boy and Girls Names in English - AggScore: 49.8
Summary: Japanese Names
Welcome to the ultimate boys and girls Japanese names list with meanings in English. Now newly updated for 2012 !
Japanese Names
Modern Japanese boy names and Japanese girl names are made up of a
family name , followed by a given name. Although common in the
other countries, "Middle names" are usually not used. The
Japanese kanji ( chinese characters ) for a name may have a
number of possible Japanese pronunciations, but parents might use
hiragana or katakana (i.e no Japanese characters ) when giving a
name to a Japanese girl or Japanese boy.
First names are
much more diverse in pronunciation and character usage than
Japanese family names. Male names often end in -rō (郎 "son", but
also 朗 "clear, bright"; e.g. "Ichirō") or -ta (太 "great, thick";
e.g. "Kenta"), or contain ichi (一 "first [son]"; e.g.
"Ken'ichi"), kazu (also written with 一 "first [son]", along with
several other possible characters; e.g. "Kazuhiro"), ji (二
"second [son]" or 次 "next"; e.g. "Jirō"), or dai (大 "great,
large"; e.g. "Dai'ichi") while female names often end in -ko (子
"child"; e.g. "Keiko") or -mi (美 "beauty"; e.g. "Yumi"). Other
popular endings for female names include -ka (香 "scent, perfume"
or 花 "flower"; e.g. "Reika") and -na (奈, or 菜, meaning greens;
e.g. "Haruna").
Recent times have seen parents looking to more modern sounding names and forgoing the usage of -ko as it is perhaps more closely associated with older generations of names for girls.
You will find lots of useful information here so take your time to peruse the site and enjoy our collection of names. We are always working to improve and update the lists with the latest available information regarding first names, surnames and other categories such as cute names, funny names, famous names, popular names and more.
First names are
much more diverse in pronunciation and character usage than
Japanese family names. Male names often end in -rō (郎 "son", but
also 朗 "clear, bright"; e.g. "Ichirō") or -ta (太 "great, thick";
e.g. "Kenta"), or contain ichi (一 "first [son]"; e.g.
"Ken'ichi"), kazu (also written with 一 "first [son]", along with
several other possible characters; e.g. "Kazuhiro"), ji (二
"second [son]" or 次 "next"; e.g. "Jirō"), or dai (大 "great,
large"; e.g. "Dai'ichi") while female names often end in -ko (子
"child"; e.g. "Keiko") or -mi (美 "beauty"; e.g. "Yumi"). Other
popular endings for female names include -ka (香 "scent, perfume"
or 花 "flower"; e.g. "Reika") and -na (奈, or 菜, meaning greens;
e.g. "Haruna").Recent times have seen parents looking to more modern sounding names and forgoing the usage of -ko as it is perhaps more closely associated with older generations of names for girls.
You will find lots of useful information here so take your time to peruse the site and enjoy our collection of names. We are always working to improve and update the lists with the latest available information regarding first names, surnames and other categories such as cute names, funny names, famous names, popular names and more.
Date Published: Feb 06, 2011 - 6:46 pm
Reading and Pronunciation issues
Names written in kanji may have a few common pronunciations
however only one pronunciation of the name is correct for a given
person. For example, the name written in kanji as 東海林 may be read
either Tōkairin or Shōji. Furthermore, any one name may have
several written forms with only one being correct for that
person. This characteristic of Japanese names is more prevalent
with boy names than with family or girl names.
These issues tend
to make the pronunciation, and romanization of Japanese names a
bit of a problem in certain situations. To get around this,
business cards will often show the pronunciation of the name in
furigana. Forms and documents usually have spaces to write the
reading of the name in kana (usually katakana). At restaurants in
Japan it is common to wait to be seated by writing one's name on
a list and waiting to be called, and at the top of the list there
is usually a request to write one's name in katakana, rather than
kanji.
Not all names are complicated. Some common names are summarized by the phrase tanakamura ("the village in the middle of the rice fields"): the three kanji: 田 (ta, rice field), 中 (naka, middle) and 村 (mura, village), together in any pair, form a simple, reasonably common surname: Tanaka, Nakamura, Murata, Nakata (Nakada), Muranaka, Tamura.
Despite these difficulties, there are enough patterns and recurring names that most native Japanese will be able to read virtually all Japanese family names they encounter and the majority of personal names.
These issues tend
to make the pronunciation, and romanization of Japanese names a
bit of a problem in certain situations. To get around this,
business cards will often show the pronunciation of the name in
furigana. Forms and documents usually have spaces to write the
reading of the name in kana (usually katakana). At restaurants in
Japan it is common to wait to be seated by writing one's name on
a list and waiting to be called, and at the top of the list there
is usually a request to write one's name in katakana, rather than
kanji.Not all names are complicated. Some common names are summarized by the phrase tanakamura ("the village in the middle of the rice fields"): the three kanji: 田 (ta, rice field), 中 (naka, middle) and 村 (mura, village), together in any pair, form a simple, reasonably common surname: Tanaka, Nakamura, Murata, Nakata (Nakada), Muranaka, Tamura.
Despite these difficulties, there are enough patterns and recurring names that most native Japanese will be able to read virtually all Japanese family names they encounter and the majority of personal names.
Date Published: Feb 06, 2011 - 6:29 pm
Best Usage and Address
The usage of names in
Japan, in any given conversation, depends on the situation and
the speaker's relationships with the people involved. Usually the
surname is used, with Japanese first names more or less
restricted to casual situations and cases where the speaker is
older than, superior to, or very familiar with the named
person.When speaking to someone, or mentioning a member of one's outer circle a title such as さん -san is often used after the name. Calling someone's last name (family name) without any title or honorific is called yobisute , and can be considered rude even in the most casual and friendly occasions.
Date Published: Jan 01, 2011 - 7:57 pm
Nicknames
It is common in naming
of nicknames to create abbreviations by using the first two
sounds of two words. Perhaps the most popular of these examples
would be, KimuTaku, the nickname of super famous Japanese actor and singer, Kimura
Takuya of SMAP fame.
The same practice is also applied
to foreign celebrities such as Brad Pitt who is more commonly
known as Burapi, Jimi Hendrix becomes the rather cute sounding
Jimihen and Leonardo DiCaprio shortens to Dikapuri.
Furthermore, for any given female
name or male name there are one or more affectionate nicknames.
These are created by adding the suffix "-chan" to a stem. There
are two types of stem. One consists of the full given name.
Examples of this type are Tarō-chan from Tarō,
Kimiko-chan from Kimiko, and Yasunari-chan
from Yasunari. The other type of stem is a modified stem
derived from the full given name.
Examples of such names are:
Miki-chan from Mikiko, Kii-chan from Kimiko,
and Yā-chan from Yasunari. "-kun" is used to
address men who are younger or the same age as the speaker. A
male might address female inferiors by "-kun" usually in schools
or companies. It can be attached to both surnames and given
names. It is less polite than "~ san." It isn't used between
women or when addressing one's superiors.
Overall suffixes such as chan and
kun soften the nickname giving it an affectionate, younger tone.
However, it's not uncommon to see women address each other as
-chan well into their later years of life - a secret to a long
happy life perhaps !
Date Published: Feb 12, 2010 - 6:29 pm
Japanese Names - Imperial Family
The emperor of Japan and his
immediate family do not take on a last name for traditional
reasons. First names are used only such as Hirohito which of
itself is seldom used in Japan.
Children born into the ruling family receive a
standard first name, as well as a special title. For example, the
title of Akihito the current Emperor, Tsugu-no-miya Akihito, was
referred to as "Prince Tsugu" during his early years. Such a
title is used until the individual is heir to the throne or
inherits one of the historical royal surnames ( Hitachi-no-miya,
Mikasa-no-miya, Akishino-no-miya .).
When a person of the Imperial family becomes a noble or a lay person, the emperor gives them a Japanese surname. In old times, a surname of "Minamoto" was often used.These days princely surnames are used. For instance, many members of the extended Imperial family became commoners after World War II, and took on their Imperial last names as normal surnames. The opposite case also exists, at the time that a lay person becomes a member of the Imperial family, such as through marriage, their own names are lost. An example is Empress Michiko, known as Michiko Shōda before she married into the family.
Children born into the ruling family receive a
standard first name, as well as a special title. For example, the
title of Akihito the current Emperor, Tsugu-no-miya Akihito, was
referred to as "Prince Tsugu" during his early years. Such a
title is used until the individual is heir to the throne or
inherits one of the historical royal surnames ( Hitachi-no-miya,
Mikasa-no-miya, Akishino-no-miya .).When a person of the Imperial family becomes a noble or a lay person, the emperor gives them a Japanese surname. In old times, a surname of "Minamoto" was often used.These days princely surnames are used. For instance, many members of the extended Imperial family became commoners after World War II, and took on their Imperial last names as normal surnames. The opposite case also exists, at the time that a lay person becomes a member of the Imperial family, such as through marriage, their own names are lost. An example is Empress Michiko, known as Michiko Shōda before she married into the family.
Date Published: Feb 11, 2010 - 7:15 pm
Japanese Boy Names A - M
Complete list of
Japanese boy names
and meanings in
English. Here we
present a list of names and meanings for you to use for study,
reference or just general interest. Please enjoy reading the
list. There are many cool Japanese names here. We will add to
it over time but for now this is our current list of popular
names.
Male names in Japan are not quite as varied as we see in western countries such as America or England. In the past a handful of names tended to dominate society but this changing more and more each year. These days we see a much wider variety of names being chosen for boys. Recently, popular names tend two be quite short such as Shota or Taiga. You can check the popular names list on the right side menu for more information about what boy names are "in" at the moment.
Each male name here is linked to a further page which gives more information about the name as well as famous and notable Japanese men who share the same first name. Simply click on the name to view the extra information. I would love to hear what you think of the list or what your own favorite names are so drop a comment in the form below and let me know. If you find any names missing from the list and you would like to see it added here then please comment and I'll add it as soon as possible.
Male names in Japan are not quite as varied as we see in western countries such as America or England. In the past a handful of names tended to dominate society but this changing more and more each year. These days we see a much wider variety of names being chosen for boys. Recently, popular names tend two be quite short such as Shota or Taiga. You can check the popular names list on the right side menu for more information about what boy names are "in" at the moment.
Each male name here is linked to a further page which gives more information about the name as well as famous and notable Japanese men who share the same first name. Simply click on the name to view the extra information. I would love to hear what you think of the list or what your own favorite names are so drop a comment in the form below and let me know. If you find any names missing from the list and you would like to see it added here then please comment and I'll add it as soon as possible.
- AKI [ 秋, 明, 晶 ] - autumn bright sparkle.
- AKIHIKO [ 明彦 ] - bright prince.
- AKIHIRO [ 大畠 ] - Japanese name, possibly meaning large glory
- AKIO [ 昭雄, 昭夫 ] - Glorious hero or glorious man.
- AKIRA [ 明, 亮 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning bright or clear.
- AOI [ 碧, 葵 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning blue or Hollyhock.
- ARATA [ 新 ] - fresh.
- ATSUSHI [ 敦 ] - industrious.
- DAI [ 大 ] - Boy Japanese name meaning big, great, large, vast
- DAICHI [ 大地, 大智 ] - Great land or Great wisdom.
- DAIKI [ 大輝, 大貴, 大樹 ] - Great glory, Great noble or Great tree.
- DAISUKE [ 大輔 ] - great helper.
- EIJI [ 永次, 英治, 英二, 栄治 ] - eternity, next,Great, peace,Great, second [ son]
- FUMIO [ 文雄 ] - literary, scholarly child.
- GORO [ 五郎 ] - fifth son.
- GOROU [ 五郎 ] - fifth son.
- HACHIRO [ 八郎 ] - eighth son.
- HAJIME [ 肇, 元 ] - beginning.
- HARU [ 晴, 春, 陽 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning clear up, spring, sun, sunlight.
- HARUO [ 春男 ] - spring man.
- HIDEAKI [ 秀明 ] - shining excellence; splendid brightness.
- HIDEKI [ 秀樹 ] - Cool japanese boy name meaning splendid opportunity.
- HIDEO [ 英夫 ] - splendid man.
- HIKARU [ 輝 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning radiance.
- HIRO [ 裕, 寛, 浩 ] - Generous, tolerant, or prosperous.
- HIROAKI [ 広朗 ] - widespread brightness.
- HIROKI [ 弘樹 ] - abundant joy,strength.
- HIROSHI [ 寛, 浩 ] - Generous, tolerant, or prosperous
- HIROYUKI [ 博之 ] - widespread happiness.
- HISAO [ 寿夫 ] - long-lived man.
- HISASHI [ 久志 ] - long-lived.
- HISOKA [ 密 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning reserved.
- HITOSHI [ 等 ] - even-tempered; level.
- HOTAKA [ 穂高 ] - step by step
- ICHIRO: Variant spelling of Japanese Ichirou, meaning first son.
- ICHIROU [ 一郎 ] - first son.
- ISAMU [ 勇 ] - courage.
- ISAO [ 功 ] - honor; merit.
- IWAO [ 巌 ] - stone man.
- JIRO: Variant spelling of Japanese Jirou, meaning second son.
- JIROU [ 二郎 ] - second son.
- JUN [ 順 ] - meaning obedient.
- JUNICHI [ 順一 ] - obedient one.
- JURO: Variant spelling of Japanese Jurou, meaning tenth son.
- JUROU [ 十郎 ] - tenth son.
- KAEDE [ 楓 ] - maple.
- KATASHI [ 堅 ] - firmness.
- KATSU [ 勝 ] - victory.
- KATSUMI [ 克己 ] - self-controlled.
- KATSUO [ 勝雄 ] - victorious child.
- KATSURO [ 勝郎 ] - cool Japanese names meaning victorious son.
- KAZUHIKO [ 和彦 ] - harmonious prince.
- KAZUHIRO [ 一浩 ] - prosperous one.
- KAZUKI [ 和希, 一輝 ] - Harmonious hope, or one,first shine.
- KAZUO [ 和夫, 一男 ] - Harmonious man or first male.
- KEI [ 恵, 佳, 敬, 圭, 慧 ] - blessed, lucky,excellent, respect, square jewel, or wise.
- KEIICHI [ 圭一 ] - square jewel first [ son].
- KEIJI [ 敬二 ] - respectful second [ son].
- KEN [ 健, 謙, 研 ] - Healthy, strong or modest, or study.
- KENJI [ 健二, 研二 ] - healthy second [ son] or studying second [ son].
- KENSHIN [ 謙信 ] - modest truth.
- KENTA [ 健太 ] - healthy,strong and big,stout.
- KICHIRO: Variant spelling of Japanese Kichirou, meaning lucky son.
- KICHIROU [ 吉郎 ] - lucky son.
- KIN [ 欽 ] - gold.
- KIOSHI [ 淳 ] - Variant spelling of Japanese Kiyoshi, meaning pure.
- KIYOSHI [ 淳 ] - meaning pure.
- KO [ 幸, 光, 康 ] - Happiness, light, or peace.
- KOHAKU [ 琥珀 ] - amber.
- KOICHI [ 光一 ] - light,shining first [ child]].
- KOJI [ 光司 ] - light,shining second [ child].
- KOU [ 幸, 光, 康 ] - Happiness, light, or peace.
- KUNIO [ 國男 ] - countryman.
- KURO: Variant spelling of Japanese Kurou, meaning ninth son.
- KUROU [ 九郎 ] - meaning ninth son.
- KYO [ 杏, 京, 協, 郷 ] - Apricot, capital, cooperation, or village
- MADOKA [ 円, 円花 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning circle or circle, flower.
- MAKOTO [ 誠 ] - J sincere, true.
- MAMORU [ 守 ] - meaning protector.
- MANABU [ 学 ] - learn.
- MASA [ 正, 雅, 昌, 真, 政, 将 ] - just,elegant, splendid,flourishing, prosperous
- MASAAKI [ 真明 ] - true brightness.
- MASAHIKO [ 正彦 ] - just prince.
- MASAHIRO [ 正洋 ] - J justice prospers.
- MASAKI [ 昌樹 ] - flourishing tree.
- MASANORI [ 正則 ] - model of justice.
- MASAO [ 正男 ] - correct man.
- MASARU [ 勝 ] - victorious.
- MASASHI [ 雅 ] - elegant, splendid.
- MASATO [ 正人 ] - correct man.
- MASAYOSHI [ 昌良 ] - goodness.
- MASAYUKI [ 正幸 ] - Boy Japanese name meaning correct happiness.
- MASUMI [ 真澄 ] - true lucidity.
- MICHI [ 道 ] - pathway.
- MICHIO [ 道夫 ] - Japanese boy names meaning man on the [ correct] path.
- MIKIO [ 美樹夫 ] - tree trunk man.
- MINORI [ 里 ] - truth.
- MINORU [ 里 ] - truth.
- MITSURU [ 満 ] - full or growing.
Go to Japanese Boy Names A - M Top
Date Published: Feb 05, 2010 - 5:23 am
Japanese Boy Names N - Y
Complete list of Japanese boy names in English.
- NAO [ 直, 尚 ] - Japanese name meaning docile or esteemed.
- NAOKI [ 直樹 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning docile tree.
- NOBORU [ 翔 ] - ascend; climb.
- NOBU [ 信, 延 ] -Faith or to extend, prolong
- NOBUO [ 信夫 ] - faithful man.
- NOBUYUKI [ 信行 ] - faithful happiness.
- NORI [ 儀, 典, 則, 法 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning ceremony, regalia, code
- NORIO [ 法男 ] - man of law.
- OSAMU [ 紀, 修, 理, 収, 治, 統 ] - chronicler, disciplined, logical, obtainer, to reign, ruler.
- RAIDEN [ 雷電 ] - Japanese myth name of a god of thunder, thunder and lightning.
- ROKURO [ 六朗 ] - sixth son.
- RYO [ 亮, 遼, 諒, 涼 ] - brightness, distant, reality, refreshing.
- RYOTA [ 亮太 ] - stout, strong.
- RYUU [ 竜 ] - dragon spirit.
- SABURO [ 三郎 ] - third son
- SADAO [ 貞雄 ] - decisive man.
- SATORU [ 暁, 悟, 聡, 知, 覚, 諭, 了, 智 ] - daybreak,enlightened,Fast learner, knowledgeable, perceptive, persuasive, understanding, or wise.
- SATOSHI [ 聡 ] - clear-thinking; quick-witted; wise.
- SEIICHI [ 精一 ] - refined first [ son].
- SEIJI [ 精二 ] - refined second [ son].
- SHICHIRO [ 七郎 ] - seventh son.
- SHIG: luxuriant.
- SHIGEO [ 重夫 ] - luxuriant man.
- SHIGERU [ 茂 ] - flourishing; luxuriant.
- SHIN [ 晋, 信, 紳, 心, 慎, 新, 進, 真 ] - Gentleman,Heart,Humble, new,true.
- SHIN'ICHI [ 真一 ] - true first [ son].
- SHINJI [ 真二 ] - true second [ son]
- SHIRO [ 四郎 ] - fourth son.
- SHO [ 翔 ] - to fly, to soar or wind instrument.
- SHOICHI [ 翔一 ] - soaring first [ son].
- SHOJI [ 翔二 ] - soaring second [ son].
- SHOU [ 翔 ] -Variant spelling of Japanese Sho, meaning to fly, to soar.
- SHUICHI [ 修一 ] - master,study first [ son].
- SHUJI [ 修二 ] - master,study second [ son].
- SORA [ 空 ] - Japanese unisex name meaning sky.
- SUSUMU [ 進 ] - progressing.
- TADAO [ 忠夫 ] - loyal man.
- TADASHI [ 忠, 正 ] - loyal or true.
- TAKAHIRO [ 貴浩 ] - noble-prosperous.
- TAKAO [ 孝雄 ] - respectful hero,male.
- TAKASHI [ 隆 ] - elevated; praiseworthy.
- TAKAYUKI [ 隆行 ] - moving to heights.
- TAKEHIKO [ 雄彦, 岳彦 ] -Hero prince, or mountain prince.
- TAKEO [ 剛雄, 武雄 ] - valiant male, or violent,warrior male.
- TAKESHI [ 武 ] - fierce, violent, hence warrior.
- TAKUMI [ 巧, 匠, 工 ] - adroit, artisan, or skilful.
- TAMOTSU [ 保 ] - defender, protector.
- TARO [ 太郎 ] - great son, or eldest sonIt is usually given to the first-born son.
- TATSUO [ 竜夫, 達夫, 龍雄 ] - dragon man,Far-reaching man, or imperial man.
- TATSUYA [ 竜也 ] - dragon-assertive.
- TERUO [ 輝男 ] - shining man.
- TETSUO [ 哲雄, 哲夫 ] - wise hero or wise man.
- TETSUYA [ 哲哉 ] - sage-[ suffering?]
- TOMIO [ 富 ] - treasured man.
- TORU [ 徹 ] - penetrating; wayfarer
- TORVALD: Scandinavian form of Old Norse Þorvaldr, meaning Thor's ruler.
- TOSHI [ 慧 ] - alert, bright, intelligent
- TOSHIAKI [ 利明, 敏明, 寿明 ] - bright and alert, bright and clever.
- TOSHIO [ 俊夫 ] - brilliant man.
- TOSHIYUKI [ 敏幸 ] - clever and happy.
- TSUNEO [ 恒雄, 恒夫 ] -eternal hero oreternal man.
- TSUTOMU [ 努 ] - worker.
- TSUYOSHI [ 剛 ] - brave, valiant.
- YASUHIRO [ 泰裕, 泰弘, 恭弘, 泰博 ] - calm and leisurely, most calm
- YASUO [ 康夫 ] - healthy man.
- YASUSHI [ 靖 ] - calm, quiet.
- YOICHI [ 妖一, 陽一, 洋一, 与一 ] - bewitching,seductive first [ son], clear,sun
- YORI [ より ] - Japanese unisex name meaning servant to the public.
- YOSHI [ 義, 吉, 良 ] - correct,Fine, happy, good, nice.
- YOSHIAKI [ 義明 ] - clearly, evidently correct.
- YOSHIHIRO [ 義博, 義弘, 義博 ] - vast,extensive,widespread correctness.
- YOSHIKAZU [ 義量, 良和 ] - correct quantity,volume, good addition
- YOSHINORI [ 義則 ] - correct rule,law.
- YOSHIO [ 誉士夫, 良夫 ] - admirable,glorious soldier man, good man.
- YOSHIRO [ 義郎, 良郎, 義博 ] - correct boy,man,Good boy,man, and vastly correct.
- YOSHITO [ 義人, 美人, 由人 ] - correct man, nice man, and original man.
-
YOSHIYUKI [ 義行, 吉行, 由悠季 ] -
correct going,way,Happy going,way,
- YUICHI [ 裕一, 雄一 ] - abundant,rich first [ son], and brave first [ son]
- YUJI [ 雄二 ] - brave second [ son].
- YUKI [ 幸, 雪 ] -Happiness; good fortune and snow.
- YUKIO [ 幸雄, 行雄 ] -Happy hero, and hero's going,way.
- YUTAKA [ 裕 ] - abundant, prosperous, wealthy.
- YUU [ 優 ] - higher, superior.
- YUUDAI [ 雄大 ] - big,great,large hero.
Japanese Boy Names N - Y go to top
Date Published: Feb 05, 2010 - 3:24 am
Japanese Girl Names N -Y
Complete list of Japanese girl names in English.
- MADOKA [ 円, 円花 ] -Japanese girl name meaning circle or circle, flower.
- MAI [ 舞 ] - dance
- MAIKO [ 舞子 ] - dancing child.
- MAKI [ 真紀, 真希, 真貴, 真樹 ] - true chronicle,record, true hope, true precious, or true timber trees.
- MAKOTO [ 誠 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning sincere, true.
- MANA [ 愛 ] - affection, love.
- MANAMI [ 愛美, 愛海 ] - affectionate beauty or love sea.
- MARI: Japanese form of English Mary, meaning obstinacy, rebelliousness or their rebellion.
- MARIKO [ 真里子 ] - true village child.
- MASAKO [ 雅子, 昌子 ] -elegant child orFlourishing child.
- MASAMI [ 雅美 ] - elegant beauty.
- MASUMI [ 真澄 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning true lucidity.
- MASUYO [ 益世 ] - benefit the world.
- MAYUMI [ 麻弓 ] - true bow [ archery].
- MEGUMI [ 恵 ] - blessing.
- MI [ 美 ] - beauty.
- MICHI [ 道 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning pathway.
- MICHIKO [ 美智子 ] - beautiful wise child.
- MIDORI [ 緑 ] - green, verdant.
- MIEKO [ 美枝子 ] - beautiful blessing child.
- MIHO [ 美保, 美帆 ] - beautiful guarantee or beautiful sail
- MIKA [ 美香 ] - beautiful fragrance.
- MIKI [ 美紀, 美姫, 美樹, 美貴 ] - beautiful chronicle, beautiful princess, beautiful tree, or priceless beauty.
- MINAKO [ 美奈子 ] - beautiful child.
- MINORI [ 里 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning truth.
- MISAKI [ 美咲 ] - beauty bloom.
- MITSUKO [ 光子 ] - light child or shining child.
- MITSURU [ 満 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning full or growing.
- MIWA [ 美和, 美輪, 三和, 三輪 ] - beauty, harmony, beauty, ring,wheel, three, harmony, or three, ring,wheel.
- MIYAKO [ 美夜子 ] - beautiful night child.
- MIYOKO [ 美代子 ] - beautiful generation child.
- MIYUKI [ 美幸, 美雪, 深雪 ] - beautiful fortune,happiness, beautiful snow, or deep snow.
- MIZUKI [ 美月 ] - beautiful moon.
- MOE [ 萌 ] - budding.
- MOMO [ モモ ] - peach.
- MOMOE [ 百恵 ] - hundred blessings.
- MOMOKO [ 桃子 ] - peach child.
- MORIKO [ 森子 ] - forest child.
- NANA [ ナナ ] - seven
- NAO [ 直, 尚 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning docile oresteemed.
- NAOKI [ 直樹 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning docile tree.
- NAOKO [ 直子, 尚子 ] - docile child oresteemed child.
- NAOMI [ 直美 ] - above all; beauty
- NATSUKO [ 夏子 ] - summer child.
- NATSUMI [ 夏美 ] - summer beauty.
- NOBUKO [ 信子 ] - faithful child.
- NORI [ 儀, 典, 則, 法 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning ceremony, regalia, code, precedent, model, rule, standard, law, rule.
- NORIKO [ 法子 or 典子 ] - law child or exemplar child
- RAN [ 蘭 ] - lily or orchid.
- REI [ 鈴, 零, 麗, 霊 ] - bell, nothing, zero or lovely, spirit.
- REIKO [ 麗子 ] - lovely child.
- REN [ 蓮 ] - water lily.
- RIE [ 理恵 ] - valued blessing.
- RIKA [ 泉 ] - valued fragrance
- RIKO [ 理子 ] - jasmine child.
- RIN [ 凛 ] - cold, dignified, severe
- RYO [ 亮, 遼, 諒, 涼 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning brightness, distant, reality, refreshing.
- RYOKO [ 亮子, 涼子 ] - bright child or refreshing child.
- SACHIKO [ 幸子 ] - happy child.
- SAKI [ 咲 ] - blossom.
- SAKIKO [ 咲子 ] - blossoming child; earlier child.
- SAKURA [ 桜 ] - cherry blossom.
- SANGO [ さんご ] - coral.
- SAYURI [ 小百合 ] - lily.
- SETSUKO [ 節子 ] - temperate child.
- SHIGEKO [ 成子 ] - luxuriant child.
- SHIKA [ 鹿 ] - deer.
- SHINJU [ 真珠 ] - pearl.
- SHIORI [ 詩織 ] - poem; weave.
- SHIZUKA [ 静香 ] - quiet.
- SHIZUKO [ 静子 ] - quiet child.
- SORA [ 空 ] -Japanese unisex name meaning sky.
- SUMIKO [ 澄子 ] - clear,pure thinking child.
- SUSUMU [ 進 ] - progressing.
- SUZU [ 鈴 ] - bell.
- SUZUME [ 雀 ] - sparrow.
- TAKAKO [ 隆子, 孝子, 貴子, 敬子 ] -elevated child, pious child, noble child, or respectful child.
- TAKARA [ 宝 ] - treasure.
- TAMIKO [ 民子 ] - child of the people.
- TOMIKO [ 美子 ] - fortune,wealth-child.
- TOMOKO [ 友子, 知子, 智子 ] -Friendly child, knowing child, and wise child.
- TOSHIKO [ 敏子 ] - clever child.
- UME [ 梅 ] - plum blossom.
- UMEKO [ 梅子 ] - plum blossom child.
- YASU [ ヤス ] - assertive child.
- YASUKO [ 康子 ] - peaceful child.
- YOKO [ 洋子, 陽子 ] -Foreign,ocean child and sunny child
- YORI [ より ] -Japanese unisex name meaning servant to the public.
- YOSHI [ 義, 吉, 良 ] -Unisex short form of Japanese names beginning with Yoshi-, meaning correct,Fine, happy, andGood, nice.
- YOSHIE [ 佳江, 由栄, 淑恵, 好恵 ] - beautiful river, cause-prosper,flourish,Good grace, and nice favor,grace.
- YOSHIKO [ 好子, 芳子, 良子 ] -Favorite child,Fragrant child, andGood child.
- YUKA [ 由佳, 佑香 ] - cause-good, andHelp-fragrant,incense.
- YUKI [ 幸, 雪 ] -Unisex short form of Japanese names beginning with Yuki-, meaningHappiness; good fortune and snow.
- YUKIKO [ 由希子 ] - rare child.
- YUKO [ 優子, 裕子, 祐子 ] - affectionate child, child of leisure, andHelpful child.
- YUMI [ 由美 ] -Japanese short form of names beginning with Yumi-, meaning cause-beauty.
- YUMIKO [ 由美子 ] - cause-beauty-child.
- YURIKO [ 百合子 ] - hundred-perfect-child.
Japanese Girl Names N - Y go to top
Date Published: Feb 05, 2010 - 2:56 am
Top 10 Japanese Cat Names
Japan is a nation of cat lovers. When you
live in such a crowded and populous country like Japan cats are
often the most appropriate pet to keep as they don't require a
lot space and are relatively quite when compared to dogs.
When it comes to Japanese cat names, Japanese people
tend to use the same names year after year with very little
change unless a new cat character such as a cartoon or movie cat
becomes popular. Top 10 Japanese Cat Names 2011
| Rank | Name | English Name ( Sex ) | |
| 1 | モモ | Momo ( Female ) |
|
| 2 | レオ | Leo ( Male ) | |
| 3 | ソラ | Sora ( Male ) | |
| 4 | ココ | Koko ( Female ) | |
| 5 | マロン | Maron ( Both ) | |
| 6 | リン | Rin ( Female ) | |
| 7 | サクラ | Sakura ( Female ) | |
| 8 | コタロウ | Kotarou ( Male ) | |
| 9 | メイ | Mei ( Female ) | |
| 10 | ルナ | Runa ( Male ) |
The house hold domestic cat was first introduced into Japan by Buddhist monks around 600 AD. In Japan cats were once thought of as sacred animals with magical powers and were highly respected bu people of all classes. Due to their divine standing in society cats were actually forbidden from working by Emperor Ichijo in the 10th century. Ichijo was a huge cat lover, having as many as 5-6 Japanese bobtail cats under his care.
He was perhaps a little shortsighted however because as soon as all the cats of Japan stopped working ( chasing and hunting mice ) the silk industry took a nose dive. Previously the cats would hunt the mice and keep them away from the silkworm cocoons which mice loved to destroy for their bedding.
Silk manufactures placed statues of cats around the cocoons to try and frighten the mice. When this failed the Emperor had no choice but to send the cats out to hunt. The Japanese bobtail became a street cat and was known as the ‘Kazoku Neko’ which means family cat.
Today cats are still highly respected in Japan. In Tokyo, there is a temple called the Goutokuji, which is dedicated to all cats. It is believed that the temple is protected by Maneki-neko, a folklore cat. The legend of Maneki-neko can be traced back to when the Goutokuji was a Buddhist monastery. The story follows that the monastery was low on money and food.
The monks at the temple always made sure that their cat named Tama, who was a mi-ke (a Japanese Bobtail), always had food. One day the Lord of Hikone, Naotaka Ii, was passing the monastery when he noticed Tama, who was sitting at the front of the monastery, beckoning him. Naotaka followed the cat in to the temple and immediately a bolt of lightening struck the place in which he had been standing. The cat saved the Lord’s life and in return the Lord rescued the monastery from poverty. The monastery was renamed Goutokuji. Maneki Neko, which means beckoning cat, is the incarnation of the Goddess of Mercy.
The statue of Maneki Neko is depicted as a mi-ke Japanese Bobtail. The Alter in the Goutokuji is surrounded by the Maneki Neko statues. Many Japanese workplaces display the statute to welcome their customers and to bring success in their work. The statue can also be seen in houses to beckon in good friends.
> Return to Japanese Names homepage
Date Published: Dec 27, 2009 - 3:07 am
Top Popular Japanese Baby Names 2011
Each year in Japan the most
popular Japanese baby
names are tabled and
presented to the press and media. Some names continue to remain
popular year after year while other names fall from
favor.This year, 2011, saw a number of new entries in the popular Japanese baby names lists. Here we list both male and female names in separate list. We have also included a number of useful statistics for this year's list.
Top Japanese Baby Boy Names 2011
| Rank | Name | Kanji | Hiragana | Babies Born | Pecentage | 2010 Rank |
| １ | Hiroto | 大翔 | ひろと | 119 | 0.66% | 2 |
| ２ | Ren | 蓮 | れん | 113 | 0.63% | 1 |
| ３ | Yuuma | 悠真 | ゆうま | 97 | 0.54% | 4 |
| ４ | Souta | 颯太 | そうた | 92 | 0.51% | 3 |
| ５ | Sora | 蒼空 | そら | 84 | 0.47% | 5 |
| ６ | Shouta | 翔太 | しょうた | 79 | 0.44% | 13 |
| ７ | Yamato | 大和 | やまと | 73 | 0.41 | 11 |
| ８ | Haruto | 陽斗 | はると | 70 | 0.39 | 19 |
| ９ | Riku | 陸 | りく | 64 | 0.36% | 22 |
| 10 | Haruto | 陽翔 | はると | 64 | 0.36% | 18 |
Top Japanese Baby Girl Names 2011
| Rank | Name | Kanji | Hiragana | Babies Born | Pecentage | 2010 Rank | |
| １ | Yui | 結衣 | ゆい | 109 | 0.66% | 2 |
|
| ２ | Aoi | 葵 | あおい | 104 | 0.63% | 3 | |
| ３ | Yua | 結愛 | ゆあ | 102 | 0.62% | 1 | |
| ４ | Rin | 凛 | りん | 100 | 0.61% | 5 | |
| ５ | Hina | 陽菜 | ひな | 99 | 0.60% | 4 | |
| 6 | Yuina | 結菜 | ゆいな | 99 | 0.60% | 8 | |
| ７ | Sakura | さくら | さくら | 74 | 0.45% | 7 |
|
| 8 | Mana | 愛菜 | まな | 74 | 0.45% | 43 | |
| ９ | Sak | 咲希 | さき | 71 | 0.43% | 28 | |
| １０ | Yuuna | 優奈 | ゆうな | 66 | 0.40% | 12 |
The biggest jumpers this year on the top 10 was Riku for boy , up from #22 into 2010 to #9 in 2011. For the popular baby girl names we can see a massive jump for the name Mana which jumped up from #43 in 2010 to #8 in 2011. When names display such a jump in popularity one can usually look to popular culture such as movie stars, singers and celebrities for the answer.
As far as the name Mana goes it is no doubt related to the popularity of Mana Ashida, a 7 year old Japanese child actress and singer who starred in a number of movies and TV dramas during 2011 . She also became the youngest artist to have a single and album both rank in the top 10 music charts of Japan. Now she can claim another top 10 - a position in the most popular Japanese baby names of 2011 !
Date Published: Dec 27, 2009 - 1:17 am
Japanese Boy Names - Hideo
HIDEO [ 英夫 ]
Japanese boy name meaning:
- splendid man
Famous/Notable Hideos :
- Hideo Kojima ( born August 24, 1963) is a Japanese game director originally employed at Konami. He is currently the director of Kojima Productions[1] and was promoted to Vice President of Konami Digital Entertainment in early 2011. His previous positions include being vice president of Konami Computer Entertainment Japan.
- Hideo Nomo ( born August 31, 1968 in Minato-ku, Osaka) is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1990 to 1994. He then exploited a loophole to free himself from his Japanese contract and became the first Japanese-born Japanese major leaguer to permanently relocate to Major League Baseball in the United States. His successful debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 is often credited with paving the road for the subsequent "wave" of Japanese players entering Major League Baseball.
Japanese boy name meaning:
- splendid man
Famous/Notable Hideos :
- Hideo Kojima ( born August 24, 1963) is a Japanese game director originally employed at Konami. He is currently the director of Kojima Productions[1] and was promoted to Vice President of Konami Digital Entertainment in early 2011. His previous positions include being vice president of Konami Computer Entertainment Japan.
- Hideo Nomo ( born August 31, 1968 in Minato-ku, Osaka) is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1990 to 1994. He then exploited a loophole to free himself from his Japanese contract and became the first Japanese-born Japanese major leaguer to permanently relocate to Major League Baseball in the United States. His successful debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 is often credited with paving the road for the subsequent "wave" of Japanese players entering Major League Baseball.
Japanese Male Names A-M Top
Date Published: Dec 13, 2009 - 7:23 pm
Hiro - Japanese Boy Name
Hiro [ 裕, 寛, 浩 ]
Boy Japanese name meaning :
- generous
- tolerant
- prosperous
Famous and Noteable Hiros
:
- Hiro Yamagata (born 山形 博導 Hiromichi Yamagata, May 30,
1948, in Maibara city, in Shiga prefecture, Japan) is a
painter/artist, based in Los Angeles, California. He has been
considered as one of the most famous silkscreen artists because
of his use of vivid colors in his pieces. However, he has been
known as a contemporary artist using laser and hologram
technology recently. He is recognized as a pioneer of
contemporary laser art.
- Hiro Mizushima (水嶋 ヒロ Mizushima Hiro), (born Tomohiro
Saitō (齋藤 智裕 Saitō Tomohiro) on 13 April 1984) is a Japanese
actor, writer and model. He appeared in a number of Japanese TV
dramas, including Mei-chan no Shitsuji, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
and Zettai Kareshi. Also, he was well known as the main
protagonist in the tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Kabuto.
|
| Hiro Mizushima |
Date Published: Dec 08, 2009 - 7:40 pm
Hideki - Japanese Boy Names
Hideki [ 秀樹 ]
Japanese male name meaning:
- splendid opportunity
Famous / Notable Hidekis :
- Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜 , born June 12, 1974) is a popular Japanese Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder as one of Japans best known baseball players. Hideki began his career playing for the Yomuri Giants in his homeland before moving to America to play seven seasons with the New York Yankees. After the 2009 season he signed up with LA Angeles and then with the Oakland Athletics. He has collected MVP honours in both Japan and America.
- Hideki Tōjō (30 December 1884 – 23 December 1948) was a general of the Imperial Japanese Army and the 40th Prime Minister of Japan during most of World War II. As Prime Minister, he was directly responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the war between Japan and the United States. After the end of the war, Tōjō was arrested, sentenced to death for Japanese war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, and hanged on 23 December 1948.
Go To Japanese Boy Names A-M Top
Date Published: Nov 24, 2009 - 5:59 pm
Ayako - Japanese Girl Names
Ayako [ 彩子, 綾子
]
Japanese girl name meaning:
- color child
- design child
Famous and Notable Ayakos :
- Ayako Fujitani. Fujitani is a model,writer and actress. She is also the daughter of actor Steven Segal and was born in Osaka, Japan in 1979. Along with writer and director Hideaki Anno, Ayako co-adapted her novella Touhimu (Flee-Dream) into the film Shiki-Jitsu in 2000. It was the first non-animated feature released by Studio Ghibli under the Studio Kajino label. She also stars in the title role. Shiki-Jitsu won the Artistic Award at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival and showed at the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
- Ayako Nishikawa (西川
史子 or にしかわあやこ, Nishikawa Ayako, 5 April 1971) is a Japanese
female TV star as a tarento and comedienne and a cosmetic
surgeon. She is unusual in Japan in that she is willing to appear
on television, as professional doctors generally show some
hesitancy to appear.
Nishikawa is often seen on Sunday afternoon variety shows giving commentary on medical issues especially those related to cosmetic and plastic surgery which is becoming increasing popular in Japan.
Female Names A - K top
Japanese girl name meaning:
- color child
- design child
Famous and Notable Ayakos :
- Ayako Fujitani. Fujitani is a model,writer and actress. She is also the daughter of actor Steven Segal and was born in Osaka, Japan in 1979. Along with writer and director Hideaki Anno, Ayako co-adapted her novella Touhimu (Flee-Dream) into the film Shiki-Jitsu in 2000. It was the first non-animated feature released by Studio Ghibli under the Studio Kajino label. She also stars in the title role. Shiki-Jitsu won the Artistic Award at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival and showed at the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Ayako Nishikawa
- Ayako Nishikawa (西川
史子 or にしかわあやこ, Nishikawa Ayako, 5 April 1971) is a Japanese
female TV star as a tarento and comedienne and a cosmetic
surgeon. She is unusual in Japan in that she is willing to appear
on television, as professional doctors generally show some
hesitancy to appear.
Nishikawa is often seen on Sunday afternoon variety shows giving commentary on medical issues especially those related to cosmetic and plastic surgery which is becoming increasing popular in Japan.
Female Names A - K top
Date Published: Nov 03, 2009 - 4:32 am
Ayaka - Cute Japanese Girl Names
Asuka [ 明日香 ]
Japanese girl name meaning:
- color-flower or color-petal
Famous and Notable Ayakas :
|
| Ayaka Nishikawa |
- Ayaka Nishiwaki (西脇 綾香, Nishiwaki Ayaka) , nicknamed A-chan (あ～ちゃん?), is a member of the Japanese electropop group Perfume.
- Cute Japanese Girl Names A - K top
Date Published: Oct 20, 2009 - 7:49 am
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