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Japanese Baby Names

Japanese baby names are Romanized translations of kanji — the characters used in the Japanese language. Japanese names can be written in multiple combinations of kanji —sometimes hundreds — and the meaning of a name changes depending on which characters are used. The name Kenzo, for example, has meanings related to wisdom, health, or humility when written in different kanji permutations.

Along with Kenzo, other Japanese baby names in the US Top 1000 include Amaya, Kane, Raiden, Asa, Kairi, Koda, Hana, Tori, and Kai. Uncommon Japanese names you may want to consider include Hiro, Naoko, Suki, and Ren — a popular name for boys in Japan.

Japanese baby names are only beginning to be used in the West, as the world becomes smaller and international names become more accepted in most countries. Some Japanese baby names that translate easily to Western culture and language include the following.

Japanese Baby Names

Yoshi

Meaning: good, respectful

Origin:Japanese
1631
Akira

Meaning: bright, intelligent

Origin:Japanese
3204
Aimi

Meaning: beautiful love

Origin:Japanese
2488
Rei

Meaning: bell or beautiful

Origin:Japanese
3528
Chiyo

Meaning: thousand generations

Origin:Japanese
4584
Momo

Meaning: peach

Origin:Japanese
5109
Gen

Meaning: spring

Origin:Japanese
3221
Yuri

Meaning: lily

Origin:Japanese
4385
Akio

Meaning: bright man

Origin:Japanese
3002
Katsu

Meaning: victory

Origin:Japanese
3340
Makoto

Meaning: sincerity, truth

Origin:Japanese
10189
Asahi

Meaning: morning sun

Origin:Japanese
4786
Ichiro

Meaning: firstborn son

Origin:Japanese
1622
Haruki

Meaning: spring child

Origin:Japanese
1722
Takeo

Meaning: strong as bamboo

Origin:Japanese
2041
Maro

Meaning: from Mars; bitter; or, myself

Origin:Latin, Hebrew, or Japanese
1183
Koi

Meaning: carp; panther

Origin:Japanese or Choctaw
1852
Akita

Meaning: field of rice

Origin:Japanese place name
6405
Manami

Meaning: ocean

Origin:Japanese
8201
Midori

Meaning: green

Origin:Japanese
1128