Favorite Japanese name?

[Naraku]

Well, seeing as we've all watched a ton of anime by now, we've been exposed to a lot of Japanese names. Do you have any Japanese names that you like? Whether it be a male or female name, first or last, doesn't matter.

Don't know why, but Yoko sounds good to me.

[goddessofanime]

I always thought Sakura, Akira and Yuki were always pretty. I also think Subaru is a cool name for a girl or boy.

[Holy Knight]

I've always liked the name "Nanaya Shiki" from Tsukihime. It fits the character perfectly.

On another note, I especially like the names given to the students in Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei.

Wordplay being incredibly prevalent in the Japanese language, I love how a name can mean so many different things and somewhat define one's character. I like that.

[BearShare]

I have a thing for 1 syllable Japanese names.

[Alan B. Stard]

Mr. Miyagi.

[Yukito Kunisaki]

Hizumi is one hell of a name, haha. Ever since i heard it from the vocalist of D'espairs Ray, I took immediate liking to it.

[Rain]

Kamui, Kaname, Yuu, and Yuki.

[SapperSix]

i like the name Ichiro.

[Lord Timaeus]

Feminine: Haruka (遥), Reiko (麗子), Yuki (雪), Emiko (恵美子)

Masculine: Itsuki (樹), Ryouichi (亮一), Kazuki (一希), Kuroishi (黒石)

Keep in mind that I was obligated by a few other forum members to list most of these.

Look, I'm even weeaboo enough to include kanji now!

[wulfgurl1994]

I like Kairi, Yuri, and Mikane for girls names. For boys I like Hitori, Ryuzaki, and Seiji yup!

[Gibb]

Haruka is definitely a good one, since I've been watching Minami-ke and love Haruka haha.

Other good ones I like:
Keiko, Yomiko, Miwa, Natsuko, Hikaru, Megumi, Hitomi, Minami, Mai, Maki, Yuri, Yurie, Tomiko, Yoshika

for guys:
seiji, kenji, ryouta, kyouta... i really don't like many guy names in anime. I guess guys are more often called by their last name.

[DazarGaidin]

Chidori, Tokiko, Kagami

Sassahara

Galatea ..err...wait.. :P

[Gyt Kaliba]

Hmm...I've always been partial to Akira, Yusuke, and Shinobu, Shinobu being my favorite. Not really sure why, I just like the way they sound.

[Gibb]

Hmm...I've always been partial to Akira, Yusuke, and Shinobu, Shinobu being my favorite. Not really sure why, I just like the way they sound.

You have very ninja-ish names. I once tried to give myself the nickname "Kyosuke" in my Japanese class, because the main character of my favorite anime (Kimagure Orange Road) is named "Kyosuke", but my teacher said that only ninja used names ending in "suke". haha.

[Levon]

Sakura is a very lovely name.

[Lone Signal]

You have very ninja-ish names. I once tried to give myself the nickname "Kyosuke" in my Japanese class, because the main character of my favorite anime (Kimagure Orange Road) is named "Kyosuke", but my teacher said that only ninja used names ending in "suke". haha.Huh, not true.

[Nylon]

kasukabe, kamane, shizune are nice names..

[Ken-Ohki]

I'm agreeing with a lot here when I say I'm a fan of Sakura. It's just so pretty and it's meaning is great too.

[xxxYaoiLovrxxx]

Kunihiro
Toya
Kiba
Atsuma
Kenichi
Reiko
Maki
Nami/Namie
Araki
Chiaki
Hideto
Fuyuki
Takashi
Wataru
Yuuya
Ai
Ayame
Hiroko

[J Dude]

Wakamoto

Though that's more of a family name rather than a first name. Of course comes from one of my most favorite seiyuu ever.

Norio Wakamoto (http://myanimelist.net/voiceactor.php?id=84)

[ladyshiro]

I've always like. I've had a few
Yusuke (I had a japanese penpal with this name)
Koh (I had a japanese penpal with this name)
Kira
Shiro
Yuri
Sota
Yuki

[hiei_kurama27]

Jun
Izumi
Kazuki
Ikuta
Noda
Nakao
Wataru
Akira
Eiji
Go
Okada
Yuuki
Ryuichi
Koike

[Dark_Knight]

Kain, Kyo, Karasu

[Gibb]

Huh, not true.

Well she wasn't saying it was a rule or anything, she just thought the name "Kyosuke" had a ninja sound to it.

[Sushikins]

For masculine names, I like Kyou, but I don't have as many favorite masculine names as feminine names. Particularly I'm fond of the names Hikari （光） and Sakura　（桜）.

[Lemina]

My favorite Japanese names would have to be Sakura, Kasumi, Yuri and Kyo. As much as this could be anime related, this thread should probably go in the Japanese culture subforum. It is in the anime section too afterall.

[greg]

My wife and I are going to have a daughter in May. Since she will be born as a Japanese/American, we will give her a Japanese name and an American middle name. The name we've decided on is Uran. (宇蘭) It is a unique name in Japan, and it can be translated to mean "heavenly/cosmic orchid."

We at first thought of Sakura (桜), but it's way too popular these days.

[Blue Thunder]

Isuroku
Tatewaki

Motoko
Sakura

[Mikosage]

Hinata, Sosuke, Ayame, Mai, Yu, Kana, (hehe...those last three are the names of the three women in my favorite Japanese band...go figure), Kikyo, Tsukiakari, Mayonako, and last but not least, Sayaka.

I think I just have a thing for the "Y" sound in the Japanese language...

[windwalker]

kasukabe, kamane, shizune are nice names..

Kasukabe is family name.

[windwalker]

Kain, Kyo, Karasu

I don't think Kain is Japanese name,it sounds like jewish name.

[windwalker]

That's interesting.
Now in Japan,strange...bezzare first name are became popular in Japanese DQN people.
Those nonsence strange names called "DQNname"
DQN means "person who low intelligence and uncouthness(need both)" I don't know it in English.

http://dqname.jp/
Even if you want to know that what is the strange name in Japan?
You must check it.

My reccomend DQN name.
SEX Kanji writing (Name)Kanji means
Female 羽姫芽 (wakiga) Body odor
Male 黄熊（pooh）yellow bear
Male たかしくん(takasikun)Mr.Takashi(include Mr.)
Female 吾郎（gorou）Male Japanese idol's name
Female 姫萌（hime）Moe princess(she is very ugly)
Female 由奈（ｙｕｎａ）old word of cheap prostitute
Male 亜成(a n a l)it can read Asei normaly,but he named it.
Parens don't know English so they hope to give the name for chird that english-like name(It will call DQNglish).

Japanese DQNs think that english is cool,because they don't know English.It's sad thing(for named baby).
Be careful for the Japanese name,is it really defferent from DQNese?

[Kstyle]

That's interesting.
Now in Japan,strange...bezzare first name are became popular in Japanese DQN people.
Those nonsence strange names called "DQNname"
DQN means "person who low intelligence and uncouthness(need both)" I don't know it in English.

http://dqname.jp/
Even if you want to know that what is the strange name in Japan?
You must check it.

My reccomend DQN name.
SEX Kanji writing (Name)Kanji means
Female 羽姫芽 (wakiga) Body odor
Male 黄熊（pooh）yellow bear
Male たかしくん(takasikun)Mr.Takashi(include Mr.)
Female 吾郎（gorou）Male Japanese idol's name
Female 姫萌（hime）Moe princess(she is very ugly)
Female 由奈（ｙｕｎａ）old word of cheap prostitute
Male 亜成(a n a l)it can read Asei normaly,but he named it.
Parens don't know English so they hope to give the name for chird that english-like name(It will call DQNglish).

Japanese DQNs think that english is cool,because they don't know English.It's sad thing(for named baby).
Be careful for the Japanese name,is it really defferent from DQNese?


Lol, but it's not only in Japan that parents give crazy names. Here too, only most of them have no meaning (I think). And yeah it's sad if you're name would be Wakiga or Yuna. :) Luckily most Japanese don't know English.

[giko]

My wife and I are going to have a daughter next year. Since she will be born as a Japanese/American, we will give her a Japanese name and an American middle name. The name we've decided on is Uran. (宇蘭) It is a unique name in Japan, and it can be translated to mean "heavenly/cosmic orchid."
We at first thought of Sakura (桜), but it's way too popular these days.

Congratulations greg.
Yeah, Orchid is as beautiful as Sakura (Cherry flowers).

[greg]

Congratulations greg.
Yeah, Orchid is as beautiful as Sakura (Cherry flowers).

We also recently discovered that Uran is the name of Tetsuwan Atomu's little sister. Her name was changed to Zoran in the American Astroboy cartoon.

[Kstyle]

Congrats, Greg!

[giko]

We also recently discovered that Uran is the name of Tetsuwan Atomu's little sister. Her name was changed to Zoran in the American Astroboy cartoon.

Ah...I thought it is from Mitsu Mitsu Drops...:P
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%9C%9C%C3%97%E8%9C%9C%E3%83%89%E3%83% AD%E3%83%83%E3%83%97%E3%82%B9

[giko]

By the way, I really like "Flowers Names = Girls Names" in Japanese naming system.

There are several English names which can be both flowers and girls, such as Rose, Marguerite, Iris, Daisy, Ｒｏｓｅｍａｒｙ, Ｊａｓｍｉｎｅ (what else?)...right?
anyway...those English names are beautiful, but unfortunately, there are only 10 or something. Right?
In Japan, any flowers names can be girls names, so there are hundreds of them. Sakura(Cherry Flower), Ran (Orchid) ,Himawari (Sunflower) ...Oh, I just can't name them all.

[~ Lawliet ~]

The vast amount of names to be choosing from aside, Yuki stands far above them all.

[sfried]

I see many different spellings for "Yoko". There's "Yohko" and "Youko". Is there any difference in meaning?

[kiyomi]

I guess I'm going to have to kill my parents for naming me. My name really isn't used all that much in Japan. *CRIES*

Anyway, here's my short list of fave names:

Kyonosuke
Ryoji
Haruhi
Hikaru
Sayako
Kenji
Megumi
Kazuki

and last but certainly not the least..*drum roll please*..

KIYOMI

I know it's at the bottom of my list..but I gotta live with this stupid name, so I might as well like it.

[sfried]

By the way, I really like "Flowers Names = Girls Names" in Japanese naming system.

There are several English names which can be both flowers and girls, such as Rose, Marguerite, Iris, Daisy, Ｒｏｓｅｍａｒｙ, Ｊａｓｍｉｎｅ (what else?)...right?

I like Magnolia. There's also Dahlia, Holly, Ivy, Lily, Myrtle, Olivia, Saffron, and Valeria. (Some of them are named after plants as well, not necessarily flowers.)

Going with plant names, I think Ginko is also a good one.

Can anybody tell me what "Makoto" means? And is it really unisex?

[GDB]

Female:
Akane (茜)
Ayame (菖蒲)
Haruka (春花)
Hikari (光)
Mayu (真優)
Midori (緑)
Ran (蘭)
Sakura (桜)
Yuki (雪)

Male:
Heiji (平治)
Hikaru (光)
Shinichi (真一 / 新一)

[greg]

Can anybody tell me what "Makoto" means? And is it really unisex?
Makoto means "truth." I'm rather fond of the name for a boy, but my wife says she doesn't like it because it is an old, outdated name. Not many young guys named Makoto. I _think_ it is a unisex name, if I'm not mistaken. If we were to have a boy, my wife likes Asuka or Rei. Both are unisex, but it's NOT because she's an Evangelion fan. It's just a coincidence.

[windwalker]

I _think_ it is a unisex name, if I'm not mistaken.
You wrong,I think.
Even if you think so,you watch too much anime.
Because only moe-anime or moe-manga or dating sims use Makoto for girl.

I think 誠＝Makoto mainly mean is "Sincerity",but it contain the mean of "truth".

[ThePeace]

Makoto is a uni-sex name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoto_Ogawa

[greg]

Zing! I was right!

(I don't like moe, btw. The closest I get to that is Card Captor Sakura or Rilakkuma.)

[Ironfrost]

I see many different spellings for "Yoko". There's "Yohko" and "Youko". Is there any difference in meaning?

No - it's actually the same name in Japanese, just using different ways to translate it into Roman characters (there are several different ways to represent the 'long vowel' sound)

[windwalker]

Makoto is a uni-sex name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoto_Ogawa

Oh! I've never seen the women named Makoto really!
But it's possible,I've ever heard the women named "Kouichirou(耕一郎)".
Makoto is more unisex name than Kouichirou.

[giko]

I like Magnolia. There's also Dahlia, Holly, Ivy, Lily, Myrtle, Olivia, Saffron, and Valeria. (Some of them are named after plants as well, not necessarily flowers.)
Going with plant names, I think Ginko is also a good one.

Yeah, Magnolia smells wonderful.
There are much more flower=girl names in English than I thought.
Thank you for telling me about them.



Can anybody tell me what "Makoto" means? And is it really unisex?

It depends on Kanji.
真 (Makoto) means "truth", as greg already mentioned.
誠 (Makoto) means "sincerity", as windwalker already mentioned.
Thare are different Kanji names for Makoto...
Anyway, it is an unisex name.

[giko]

I see many different spellings for "Yoko". There's "Yohko" and "Youko". Is there any difference in meaning?

In the Kunrei-shiki romanization system which is based on the Hepburn romanization, the official spelling is "Youko". But some peoole wants to spell their names differently. For example, Yoko Ono Lennon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunrei-shiki_R%C5%8Dmaji

[greg]

真 (Makoto) means "truth", as greg already mentioned.
Yes, and that's part of why I thought it would be a good name for a son because my wife's name is Mayumi (真弓... not 真由美).

Camellia (Tsubaki) is also a flower name for women, however it is fairly unpopular these days. There's a Tsubaki-chan in Sakura Taisen, but that's the only time I've ever encountered that as a Japanese name for girls.

Kain, Kyo, Karasu
Where have you ever seen the name Karasu? It means "crow," the terrible bird that infests Tokyo and is so noisy in the mornings. I can't imagine seeing that as an actual Japanese name, except for an anime/manga/video game.

[windwalker]

Yes, and that's part of why I thought it would be a good name for a son because my wife's name is Mayumi (真弓... not 真由美).

Camellia (Tsubaki) is also a flower name for women, however it is fairly unpopular these days. There's a Tsubaki-chan in Sakura Taisen, but that's the only time I've ever encountered that as a Japanese name for girls.


Where have you ever seen the name Karasu? It means "crow," the terrible bird that infests Tokyo and is so noisy in the mornings. I can't imagine seeing that as an actual Japanese name, except for an anime/manga/video game.

If you meaning
1."Normally,don't use the 'animal's kind' for the name"
then it's correct,but if you mean
2."Karasu is strange,because craw is terrible bird"
then you wrong.I can read your opinion like 2.

I think even if you are american,don't use the name "Dog","Cat","Craw" for babies,and almost all non Japanese too.
Sometime 海星（Starfish）,海月（Jellwofish）　use for kid,but them parents din't know that what is Starfish or Jellowfish in Kanji because they are DQN.

Next,crows are 神使（sinsi）messenger animal from gods in Japan.
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%85%AB%E5%92%AB%E7%83%8F

PS
マコトを女の子に使う場合、『真琴』ぐらいでそれ以外のIMEの候補に挙がる約10個 は全部男用だろ？
しかも、モー娘の小川真琴まで見たこと無かったぞ、本当に真琴という名前を付けられた 女性は。
あきらより珍しい。

[giko]

Camellia (Tsubaki) is also a flower name for women, however it is fairly unpopular these days. There's a Tsubaki-chan in Sakura Taisen, but that's the only time I've ever encountered that as a Japanese name for girls.

Camellia is Tsubaki. That's interesting. :P
Therefore,
Daisy = Hinagiku
Iris = Ayame
Lily = Yuri
Holly = Hiiragi
Violet = Sumire

I have to add Violet (Viola).

[giko]

In addition, Jasmine is Mari/Matsuri (茉莉).


Chidori (Charadriiformes), Suzume(Tree Sparrow), Hibari (Skylark), Tubame (Sparrow), Tsugumi(Dusky Thrush) and Taka (Hawk) are common Japanese names for female/male, but I have never about Karasu (Craw).

[hiroaki]

Manko(萬子)

Manko Kurenai (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B4%85%E8%90%AC%E5%AD%90) is a unique actor.

[sfried]

Manko(萬子)

I suppose he doesn't get the honorific at the begining, then?

[tenshi_a]

I like the floral names, though it makes me think of Sakura Taisen... :D

Is Rena a real name? I see in fiction, but only with characters who are a bit exotic or "out there" - Final Fantasy V, .hack//DUSK, Higurashi no naku koro ni, Star Ocean...

[Soluzar]

Manko(萬子)

Manko Kurenai (http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B4%85%E8%90%AC%E5%AD%90) is a unique actor.
XD!!

Those kanji don't mean the same as the "(O)manko that everyone's probably thinking of though, do they? I'm reading that as "10,000 Child" or something along those lines. I guess that the loins of his parents must have been fruitful.

[giko]

I like the floral names, though it makes me think of Sakura Taisen... :D

That was a good one.



Is Rena a real name? I see in fiction, but only with characters who are a bit exotic or "out there" - Final Fantasy V, .hack//DUSK, Higurashi no naku koro ni, Star Ocean...

Yeah, it is a real name.

[greg]

"Ren" is also a popular name for both boys and girls these days, I hear. I kinda like it, and it sounds a little science fiction-y (mainly I'm thinking of Ren from DearS, but it sounds like it may be the name of someone in Star Wars or something). It's short and impossible to mispronounce.

[giko]

That's rigth.

Ren "蓮" is a typical girl's name which means "Lotus". It is a floral name too.
Ren "錬" is a typical boy's name which means "Discipline" or "Forging".

[Mika-chan]

For guys I like the names Atsushi and Takahiro. I also like the name Kaname. I don't how common this name is though. LOL and it has nothing to do with three of my fave J-music singers have these names. :-"

As for girls, I like Sana and Eri (and Yoshika but maybe this isn't a common name either).

For unisex names I like Rei and Shion (well I had male and female students with these names so I assume they're unisex).

[Granolocks]

"Mei" is pretty classic for a little girl, all Totoro references aside. I know a little girl named Mei who lives in my village and she is the cutest thing ever.

[SPARTAN117CJL]

My Favorite family name would be Takeda, don't really have a favorite given name.

[Zash]

Hitomi, Yukino, Mitsuki

[loboknight]

I don't know how many people watch Ninja Warrior or Unbeatable Banzuke on G4, but most of those competitors are Japanese. It's a good way to find other names you may like. ;)
Anyway, I have a lot of favorite names, so here it goes:
Ren, Shinjiro, Naoki, Chiaki, Ayako, Sayu, Teru, Hatori, Kira, and Toushiro. My favorite family name would definitely be Koga.

[CrossboneGundam]

Hanage Bobonosuke. The sword that cleaves evil.

[Jun_Inohara]

I have a student with possibly the BEST last name ever. I absolutely LOVE it. It's "Mochimai" (餅米). The first kanji is "mochi" as in the pounded rice cakes, and the second, "mai", means "rice". It's such a beatifully amusing last name that for a long time I just couldn't believe was real. But it's on her name tag and in the school records, so you can't argue with that.

Other than that, I have another student who's last name is Yakushikawa (薬師川), which I just like the sound of, and a couple of kids (brother and sister) with the last name Soraoka （空丘)which I just think is pretty.

I like a lot of first names, but it's the unusual (for me :P) last names that I like in particular.

[giko]

"Mochimai" (餅米).

That one is almost unbelievable...:P
I guess the family name is extremely rare.


Anyway, it reminds me about the 18yo Japanese tennis player who is the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt. He has a kind of cool family name. His family name is Nishikori (錦織) which means "Silkweaver".

[Jun_Inohara]

That one is almost unbelievable...:P
I guess the family name is extremely rare.


Anyway, it reminds me about the 18yo Japanese tennis player who is the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt. He has a kind of cool family name. His family name is Nishikori (錦織) which means "Silkweaver".

Even NOW I still can't believe it, and I've seen her name tag on many occassions! It's bizarre!

[JeonRina14]

I like Hina & Rina (my name lol) =D becauseee they sound alike! ^^

[Stealth]

mine would have to be Misaki or Yukiko

[Nami]

My favorite are Rei, Yuuki, Sen, Senta, Sentarou, Aoi.

[Stealth]

My favorite are Rei, Yuuki, Sen, Senta, Sentarou, Aoi.

what about Nami ? lol since thats your username :P
i actually like Nami, sounds really cool ^_^

[mitosblog]

Maki, Takeshi, Ryoko is my favorite name

[Meimei2k8]

mine is meimei coz it sounds cute doesn't it?

[Kira]

For me it's Kira and Tokun duss someone agree???

[Saigō Takamori]

I'm a huge fan of Saigo, Sadako, Akira, and Kenji.

I've always been partial to Ito(such as in Hirobumi Ito, former Japanese Prime Minister, and Tokugawa.

[Phantom]

Sakura. Overused maybe but it has something to it.

[greg]

I'm a huge fan of Saigo, Sadako, Akira, and Kenji.
Sadako? Ever since the movie The Ring was released, the name Sadako gives the shivers to plenty of Japanese people. My wife cannot separate the name with the creepy connotations.

[Saigō Takamori]

Yes, I believe it is that "horror aspect" which has drawn me to it in a way.

It has an aura of both beauty and something terribly powerful.

[Akemi]

I'm not a big fan of female names, but I do like Akane and (obviously) Akemi.

But there are plenty of male names that I like: Shirou, Shuuichi, Kazuma, Yuusuke, Daisuke, Yuuichi, Itsuki

[J.Mizuno]

Tsukiko- Moonchild
Sakura- Cherry
Karin

To be honest if I have more then one daughter I wanna call her Karin or Tsukiko

[Akemi]

Tsukiko- Moonchild
Sakura- Cherry
Karin

To be honest if I have more then one daughter I wanna call her Karin or Tsukiko

Oh god, I can never see that name or hear Tsukiko without remembering this spacey girl at my uni who introduces herself as it, even to the Japanese exchange students. It's downright socially embarrassing.

Still, it's a pretty name, but even without knowing that girl I'd automatically think of Gackt and his B-grade movie. :P

[sfried]

Can somebody tell me what Sakuri means?

[otakudes]

Mami as in Mami Honda from Super Gals! Chicanos also use mami as a term of endearment (female) or female hottie so it was interesting hearing it as a first name.

[musashi1600]

My favorite Japanese names (given name and surname) happen to be my middle name and my last name. :D

[Jia-Ren-Qu]

Aiko - Beloved.
I think it's really cute.

[Sora N]

My favorite names are:

Yuki
Yuri
Sora
Sakura
Megumi
Haruka
Michiru