100 Japanese Baby Names

You might choose a Japanese name for your baby to reflect the child's heritage or because you like the sound of the name or its meaning. For example, a name that means sun can reflect your hopes for a cheerful and spirited child, or you may choose one that means beautiful, wise, or strong.

Japanese names are noted with kanji characters, which often can be read in several different ways. In addition, since there are thousands of kanji to choose from, even the same name can usually be written using many different kanji combinations (some have more than 50 combinations). The kanji character for the zodiac animal for the year may also be used in boy names, but less often for girls. There is also a trend to use only one kanji character for girls' names, especially when choosing names that are associated with a plant or nature. You might also want to check out popular Chinese baby names.

Popular Japanese Baby Names for Girls

When looking for a name for your baby girl, consider these that have been popular recently or throughout the past few decades.

Ai

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Love
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 愛 (kanji), あい (hiragana), アイ(katana)
• Famous Namesakes: Singer Ai Carina Uemura, poet Ai Ogawa
• Peak Popularity: Ai is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. It has been the fifth most common name for girls in Japan over the past 30 years.

Airi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Combines words for love with the word for either white jasmine or pear
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 愛莉 or 愛梨 (kanji), アイリ or アイリ(hiragana), メリ or エリ(katana), Eri, Meri
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Airi Taira
• Peak Popularity: Airi, Eri, and Meri are not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Akari

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Combines words for red or clear with that for either cold, profit, plum, or pear tree.
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 丹凛, 明里, 明梨, 明理, 朱里, 朱莉, 亜香里, あかり
• Famous Namesakes: Actress and singer Akari Hayami
• Peak Popularity: Akari has not been in the top 1,000 names in the U.S., but it was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 2015.

Akemi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Bright and beautiful
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 明美
• Famous Namesakes: Manga artist Akemi Takada
• Peak Popularity: Akemi has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the most popular name for girls in Japan in 1965.

Anzu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Apricot
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 杏 (kanji), アン (hiragana), アンズ(katana), An
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Anzu Lawson
• Peak Popularity: Anzu and An are not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. Anzu was name was the 12th most popular in Japan in 2014, and An was the fourth most popular in 2018.

Aoi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Hollyhock
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 葵 (kanji), あおい (hiragana), アオイ (katana)
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Aoi Yūki
• Peak Popularity: Aoi is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. But this name was the fourth most popular in Japan in 2014.

Chiyo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Thousand generations, thousand worlds
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 千代, 千世
• Famous Namesakes: Haiku poet Fukuda Chiyo-ni, kimono designer and author Chiyo Uno
• Peak Popularity: Chiyo has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was most popular in Japan a century ago.

Chiyoko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Thousand generation child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 千代子
• Famous Namesakes: Television presenter and enka singer Chiyoko Shimakura
• Peak Popularity: Chiyoko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was most popular in Japan a century ago.

Emiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Beautiful child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 恵美子, -笑子
• Famous Namesakes: Filmmaker Emiko Omori
• Peak Popularity: Emiko is not in the top 1,000 names in the U.S.

Fumiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Child of treasured beauty, hibiscus beautiful child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 富美子, 芙美子
• Famous Namesakes: Writer Fumiko Enchi, politician Fumiko Hayashi
• Peak Popularity: Fumiko was in the 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. in 1919, 1920, and 1923. It was the second most popular name for girls in Japan in 1925.

Hana

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Flower
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 花, 陽菜 (kanji), ヒナ、ヒナタ、ハナ、ハルナ、アキナ、ヒナノ, Hina, Hinata, Haruna, Akina, Hinano​
• Famous Namesakes: Artist Hana Usui
• Peak Popularity: Hana has been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. since 1993, usually ranking around 700. It is the most popular name for girls in Japan in recent years.

Haruka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Distant or spring blossom, spring fragrance
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 遥, 春花, 晴香
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Haruka Tomatsu
• Peak Popularity: Haruka has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 1995.

Himari

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Long jasmine, or benevolent sunflower, home of light and love
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: ひまり, 久茉莉, 仁葵, 光愛里
• Peak Popularity: Himari has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for girls in Japan in 2015.

Hiroko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Generous child, abundant child, prosperous child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 寛子, 裕子, 浩子
• Famous Namesakes: Politician and economist Hiroko Ota
• Peak Popularity: Hiroko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1945.

Hisako

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Long-lived child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 寿子
• Famous Namesakes: Hisako, Princess Takamado, artist Hisako Hibi
• Peak Popularity: Hisako has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1935.

Ichika

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Best, excellent
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: いちか, 伽, 佳
• Peak Popularity: Ichika has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 2015.

Kanna

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Guidance, pear
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 栞奈, Kana
• Famous Namesakes: Actress and singer Kanna Hashimoto
• Peak Popularity: Kanna has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the eighth most popular name for girls in Japan in 2017.

Kaori

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Fragrance
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 香
• Famous Namesakes: Olympic figure skater Kaori Sakamoto
• Peak Popularity: Kaori has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1985.

Kazuko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Peaceful child, one child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 一子, 和子
• Famous Namesakes: Kazuko, Princess Taka (third daughter of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun)
• Peak Popularity: Kazuko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1955.

Kei

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Blessing
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 恵
• Famous Namesakes: Singer Kei Yasuda
• Peak Popularity: Kei has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the ninth most popular name for girls in Japan in 2017.

Keiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Lucky child, respectful child, happy child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 慶子, 敬子, 啓子, 恵子
• Famous Namesakes: Peruvian politician an former First Lady Keiko Fujimori, actress Keiko Kitagawa
• Peak Popularity: Keiko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1965.

Kiyo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Pure or holy
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 清, 聖
• Peak Popularity: Kiyo has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was most popular in Japan a century ago.

Koharu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Heart, spring, or late summer
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 心春, 小春, コハル
• Famous Namesakes: Actress and singer Koharu Kusumi
• Peak Popularity: Koharu has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the 11th most popular name for girls in Japan in 2014.

Kokoro

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Heart, mind, soul
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 心
• Famous Namesakes: Voice actress Kokoro Kikuchi
• Peak Popularity: Kokoro has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for girls in Japan in 2017.

Kumiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Forever beautiful child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 久美子
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Yuuka Yano
• Peak Popularity: Kumiko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the most popular name for girls in Japan in 1975.

Kyouko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Respectful child, today's child, apricot child, capital city child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 協子, 京子, 郷子, 杏子, Kyoko
• Famous Namesakes: Kyoko Chan Cox (daughter of Yoko Ono and her second husband Anthony Cox)
• Peak Popularity: Kyouko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 1955.

Mai

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Dance, linen robe, real love
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 舞, 麻衣, 真愛
• Famous Namesakes: Marathon runner Mai Ito
• Peak Popularity: Mai was in the top 1,000 names in the U.S. from 1983 to 1994. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1995.

Mami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: True beauty
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 真美, 麻美
• Famous Namesakes: Singer Mami Kawada
• Peak Popularity: Mami has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 1985.

Manami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Beautiful love
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 愛美
• Famous Namesakes: Voice actress and singer Manami Numakura
• Peak Popularity: Manami has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the eighth most popular name for girls in Japan over the past 30 years.

Mayumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Elegant, bow or truth, reason, beauty
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 雅弓, 真由美, まゆみ, マユミ
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Mayumi Tanaka
• Peak Popularity: Mayumi has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 1975.

Megumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Blessing or love
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 恵, 愛, めぐみ
• Famous Namesakes: Voice actress Megumi Hayashibara
• Peak Popularity: Megumi has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1985.

Mio

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Beautiful cherry blossom, or waterway
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美桜
• Famous Namesakes: Wrestler Mio Shirai
• Peak Popularity: Mio has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the sixth most popular name for girls in Japan in 2017.

Mirai

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Future
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 未来
• Famous Namesakes: Figure skater Mirai Nagasu
• Peak Popularity: Mirai has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the ninth most popular name for girls in Japan over the past 30 years.

Misaki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Beautiful blossom
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美咲,ミサキ
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Misaki Ito
• Peak Popularity: Misaki has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. In Japan, it is the most popular name for girls over the past 30 years, and ranked seventh in 2014.

Mitsuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Beautiful moon
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美月, Mitzuki
• Famous Namesakes: Voice actress and singer Mitsuki Saiga
• Peak Popularity: Mitsuki has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. In Japan, it is the tenth most popular name for girls over the past 30 years.

Miyoko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Beautiful generation child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 美代子
• Famous Namesakes: Artist Miyoko Ito
• Peak Popularity: Miyoko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 1925.

Nanami

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Seven sea
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 七海
• Famous Namesakes: Author Nanami Shiono
• Peak Popularity: Nanami has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. In Japan, it is the seventh most popular name for girls over the past 30 years.

Natsuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Vegetables or summer and moon or hope
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 菜月, 夏希
• Famous Namesakes: Manga artist Natsuki Takaya
• Peak Popularity: Natsuki has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 2000.

Nozomi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Several, including hopeful truth or hopeful heart
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 希実, 希心
• Famous Namesakes: Author Nanami Shiono
• Peak Popularity: Nozomi has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. In Japan, it was the most popular name for girls in 2017.

Rin

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Dignified
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 凜 (kanji), リン
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Rin Takanashi, manga artist Rin Saito
• Peak Popularity: Rin has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the most second most popular name for girls in Japan in 2014 and the fourth most popular in 2018.

Sachiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Happy child, lucky child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 幸子
• Famous Namesakes: Sachiko, Princess Hisa (daughter of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun)
• Peak Popularity: Sachiko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1955.

Sakura

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Cherry blossom
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 桜, サクラ、ハル
• Famous Namesakes: Singer Sakura Miyawaki
• Peak Popularity: Sakura has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in the past 30 years and ranked fifth in 2018.

Setsuko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Melody
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 節子
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Setsuko Hara, Nuclear disarmament campaigner Setsuko Thurlow, Setsuko, Princess Chichibu (aunt of Emperor Akihito)
• Peak Popularity: Setsuko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1945.

Shizuko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Quiet child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 静子 
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Shizuko Hoshi, Peruvian politician Susana Shizuko Higuchi Miyagawa (former wife of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori)
• Peak Popularity: Shizuko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was most popular in Japan a century ago.

Tomoko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Friendly child, wise child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 智子, 朋子
• Famous Namesakes: Photographer Tomoko Sawada
• Peak Popularity: Tomoko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1975.

Yoshiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Virtuous child, beautiful child, joyous child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 良子, 芳子, 悦子
• Famous Namesakes: Textile artist Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, spy Yoshiko Kawashima
• Peak Popularity: Yoshiko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1925.

Youko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Sunshine child, beautiful child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 陽子, 洋子, Yoko, Yohko
• Famous Namesakes: Musician and artist Yoko Ono
• Peak Popularity: Youko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for girls in Japan in 1975.

Yua

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Tie and love
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 結愛 (kanji), ユア、 ユイナ、ユナ、ユメ
• Famous Namesakes: Actress and singer Yua Mikami
• Peak Popularity: Yua has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for girls in Japan in 2018.

Yui

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Tie and clothing
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 結衣, ユイ
• Famous Namesakes: Singer Yui
• Peak Popularity: Yui has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the eighth most popular name for girls in Japan in 2014.

Yuina

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Tie and vegetables or greens
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 結菜 (kanji), ユナ、ユイナ、ユウナ, Yuna, Yuuna
• Famous Namesakes: Manga artist Yuna Aoi, figure skater Yuna Kim
• Peak Popularity: Yuina has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the most popular name for girls in Japan in 2017.

Yumiko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Archery bow child, cause beautiful child
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 弓子, 由美子
• Famous Namesakes: Professional wrestler Yumiko Hotta
• Peak Popularity: Yumiko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for girls in Japan in 1965.

Yuuka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Excellent flower
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 優花
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Yuuka Yano
• Peak Popularity: Yuuka has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for girls in Japan in 2000.

Yuuko

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Excellent flower
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 優花
• Famous Namesakes: Actress Yuuka Yano
• Peak Popularity: Yuuko has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for girls in Japan in 1975.

Yuzuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Grapefruit, hope
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 結月
• Peak Popularity: Yuzuki has not been in the top 1,000 names for girls in the U.S. It was the most popular name for girls in Japan in 2018.

Popular Japanese Baby Names for Boys

These names have been popular for boys in Japan both historically and in recent years.

Asahi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Morning sun, rising sun
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 朝陽, アサヒ
• Famous Namesakes: Volleyball player and politician Kentaro Asahi
• Peak Popularity: Asahi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the tenth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014.

Daiki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Large tree or shining brightly
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 大樹, 大輝
• Famous Namesakes: Judoka Daiki Kamikawa, fashion designer Daiki Suzuki
• Peak Popularity: Daiki has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the fifth (shining brightly meaning) and eighth (large tree meaning) most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Daiksuke

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Great help
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 大輔
• Famous Namesakes: Baseball player Daisuke Matsuzaka, Olympic figure skater Daisuke Takahashi
• Peak Popularity: Daisuke has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the most popular name for boys in Japan in 1985.

Haru

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Light, spring, clear weather
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 陽, 春, 晴, はる
• Peak Popularity: Haru has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015.

Haruto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Light, soaring
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 陽翔, はると
• Famous Namesakes: Manga artist Haruto Umezawa
• Peak Popularity: Haruto has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015 and 2017.

Hayato

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Falcon person
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 隼人
• Famous Namesakes: Former Japanese Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda
• Peak Popularity: Hayato has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S.

Hinata

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Toward the sun
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 陽向, ヒナタ、ハルタ, Haruta
• Peak Popularity: Hinata has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014.

Hiroshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Generous or prosperous
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 寛, 浩, Hirosi
• Famous Namesakes: Astronomer Hiroshi Abe, Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi
• Peak Popularity: Hiroshi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1960s.

Hiroto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Great person
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 大翔,ヒロト、ハルト、ヤマト、ソラ、タイガ、タイト
• Famous Namesakes: Businessman Hiroto Sakawa (CEO of Nissan)
• Peak Popularity: Hiroto has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014 and third most popular in 2018.

Isamu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Brave
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 勇
• Famous Namesakes: Japanese admiral and diplomat Isamu Takeshita, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Isamu Akasaki, artist Isamu Noguchi
• Peak Popularity: Isamu has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1940s

Itsuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Spring trees
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 樹, いつき
• Peak Popularity: Itsuki has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the eleventh most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015.

Jirou

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Second son
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 二郎, Jiro
• Famous Namesakes: Sushi master Jiro Ono, tennis player Jiro Sato
• Peak Popularity: Jirou has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S.

Kaito

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Sea and soaring, going through and beyond
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 海斗, 海翔, 介渡, かいと
• Famous Namesakes: Voice actor Kaito Ishikawa
• Peak Popularity: Kaito has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015.

Katsutoshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Victory bright,
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 勝敏
• Famous Namesakes: Japanese admiral Katsutoshi Kawano
• Peak Popularity: Katsutoshi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1940s

Kazuya

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: to be one, to be in harmony
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 一也, 和也
• Famous Namesakes: Mathematician Kazuya Kato
• Peak Popularity: Kazuya has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1980s.

Kenta

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Healthy and strong
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 健太
• Famous Namesakes: Baseball player Kenta Maeda
• Peak Popularity: Kenta has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the third most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Kenzo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Wise, three
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 賢三
• Famous Namesakes: Designer Kenzo Takada
• Peak Popularity: Kenzo ranked at 873 in the U.S. in 2018.

Kiyoshi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Pure
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 清, 淳, Kiyosi
• Famous Namesakes: Filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa, mathematician Kiyosi Ito
• Peak Popularity: Kiyoshi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1940s

Makoto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Sincerity or truth
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 誠, 真
• Famous Namesakes: Obstacle course "ninja" racer Makoto Nagano, animator Makoto Shinkai
• Peak Popularity: Makoto has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1970s.

Manabu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Learn
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 学
• Famous Namesakes: Author Manabu Miyazaki
• Peak Popularity: Manabu has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1970s.

Masao

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Just man
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 正雄
• Famous Namesakes: Religious studies author Masao Abe, analytical technology developer Masao Horiba
• Peak Popularity: Masao has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1910s

Masaru

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Victory, excellence
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 勝, 優
• Famous Namesakes: Co-founder of Sony Masaru Ibuka, Governor of the Bank of Japan Masaru Hayami
• Peak Popularity: Masaru has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1940s

Minato

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Unknown meaning
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 湊, ミナト、カナデ、ソウ
• Peak Popularity: Minato has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the sixth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014 and the second most popular in 2018.

Minoru

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: To bear fruit
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 実
• Famous Namesakes: Architect Minoru Yamasaki
• Peak Popularity: Minoru has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1930s

Naoki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Straight tree
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 直樹
• Famous Namesakes: Manga artist Naoki Urasawa
• Peak Popularity: Naoki has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1980s.

Osamu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Discipline, study
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 修
• Famous Namesakes: Animator Osamu Tezuka, author Osamu Dazai
• Peak Popularity: Osamu has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1960s.

Ren

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Lotus
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 蓮, レン
• Famous Namesakes: Actor Ren Osugi
• Peak Popularity: Ren has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014 and 2018 and overall the fourth most popular in the past 30 years.

Reo

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Smart, clever
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 伶, れお
• Peak Popularity: Reo has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the eighth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015.

Riku

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Land
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 陸, リク
• Famous Namesakes: Author Riku Onda, manga writer Riku Sanjo
• Peak Popularity: Riku has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015.

Ryuu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Dragon
• Alternative Spellings & Variations:竜, 龍, Ryusei
• Famous Namesakes: Painter Ryusei Kishida
• Peak Popularity: Ryuu has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. Ryusei was the seventh most popular name for boys in Japan in 2012.

Saburou

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Third son
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 三郎, Saburo, Saburō
• Famous Namesakes: World War II Japanese naval flying ace Saburō Sakai, diplomat Saburō Kurusu
• Peak Popularity: Saburou has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1920s

Shigeru

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Distant, leisurely person
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 悠人, ユウト、ハルト
• Famous Namesakes: Scenario writer Yuto Tonokawa
• Peak Popularity: Shigeru has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1950s

Sho

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Soaring
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 翔, Shou
• Famous Namesakes: Singer and newscaster Sho Sakurai, physician Sho Timothy Yano
• Peak Popularity: Sho has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the second most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Shota

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Soaring strongly
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 翔太, Shouta
• Famous Namesakes: Olympic sprinter Shota Iizuka
• Peak Popularity: Shota has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Shun

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Fast
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 駿, シュン、ハヤト
• Famous Namesakes: Actor and voice actor Shun Yashiro
• Peak Popularity: Shun has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the ninth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014.

Sora

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Sky
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 空, 昊, そら
• Famous Namesakes: Scenario writer Yuto Tonokawa
• Peak Popularity: Sora has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the seventh most popular name for boys in Japan in 2015.

Sota

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Strong sound of the wind
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 颯太, Souta
• Peak Popularity: Takuya has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the ninth most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Susumu

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Advance
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 進
• Famous Namesakes: Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Susumu Tonegawa, actor Susumu Fujita
• Peak Popularity: Susumu has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1940s

Tadashi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Just, correct, right
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 正
• Famous Namesakes: Businessman Tadashi Yanai, fashion designer Tadashi Shoji
• Peak Popularity: Tadashi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1910s

Takumi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Artisan, skillful, or support combined with ocean or truth
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 匠, 巧, 拓海, 拓実
• Famous Namesakes: Actor and singer Takumi Kitamura
• Peak Popularity: Takumi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2000.

Takashi

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Filial piety, noble, prosperous, esteem, honor
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 孝, 隆, 崇, 尊
• Famous Namesakes: Actor Takashi Shimura, artist Takashi Murakami
• Peak Popularity: Takashi has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1950s

Takuya

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Pioneering land
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 拓也
• Famous Namesakes: Actor and singer Takuya Kimura
• Peak Popularity: Takuya has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the tenth most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Tetsuya

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: To be a philosopher, to be devoted, to be iron
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 哲也, 徹也, 鉄也
• Famous Namesakes: Print artist Tetsuya Noda, record producer and songwriter Tetsuya Komuro
• Peak Popularity: Tetsuya has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was most popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1960s.

Tsubasa

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Wings
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 翼
• Famous Namesakes: Manga artist Tsubasa Fukuchi
• Peak Popularity: Tsubasa has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the seventh most popular name for boys in Japan in the past 30 years.

Youta

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Big man
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 陽太, ヒナタ、ヨウタ、ハル タ, Yota
• Famous Namesakes: Wrestler Yota Tsuji
• Peak Popularity: Youta has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014.

Yuki

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Happiness, snow, create value
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 幸, 雪, 由貴, 由紀
• Famous Namesakes: Marathon runner Yuki Kawauchi
• Peak Popularity: Yuki has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the fourth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2012.

Yutaka

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Rich, relaxation, fertile
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 豊, 寛, 穣
• Famous Namesakes: Musician Yutaka Ozaki
• Peak Popularity: Yutaka has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was popular as a name for boys in Japan in the 1950s

Yuuma

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Distant, leisurely and genuine
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 悠真, ユウマ、ハルマ, Haruma
• Peak Popularity: Yuuma has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the fifth most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014.

Yuuto

• Origin: Japanese
• Meaning: Distant, leisurely person
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: 悠人, ユウト、ハルト, Yuto
• Famous Namesakes: Scenario writer Yuto Tonokawa
• Peak Popularity: Yuuto has not been in the top 1,000 names for boys in the U.S. It was the seventh most popular name for boys in Japan in 2014.