Names by Origin
Japanese Names
Names from the Japanese tradition. Many names share sounds but use different kanji, so meanings vary by spelling.
Ai
Akane
Akari
Akemi
Akira
Aoi
Asuka
Ayaka
Ayame
Ayano
Chie
Chiharu
Chika
Chinatsu
Daiki
Eiji
Ema
Emi
Erina
Hana
Haru
Haruka
Haruto
Hayato
Pronunciation, kanji and meaning
Japanese names matter for a specific reason: the same spoken name can be written with different kanji, and each kanji choice carries its own meaning. Two children named Haruka can have completely different written names and therefore different meanings. This is why we do not attach a single fixed meaning to most Japanese names here — doing so would be misleading for at least some bearers.
How to read this collection
The names are shown in romanised form (rōmaji), which captures pronunciation but not the kanji behind it. When you find a name you like, the written form and its meaning are something to choose separately, often with the help of a Japanese speaker or reference. Several of these names are genuinely used for both girls and boys, so a number appear in the Neutral category rather than being forced into one.
Meanings are included where reliable information is available. These names reflect a naming tradition, not current popularity in any country.