Japanese boy names offer a unique and personalized way to choose your child's nickname. If you're of Japanese heritage, you might want to consider a traditionally masculine name, or perhaps one with a unique, sweet, or cool meaning for your little boy. By combining different kanji characters, you can create your own nickname that is as unique or as endearing as your newcomer! To help you get inspired, we've rounded up 220 of our favorite Japanese names for boys and offer a mini lesson on the traditions behind these names.
Traditions behind Japanese male names
Choosing a Japanese name for your baby can help you better understand the traditions behind the baby naming process in Japan. You may already be familiar with these cultural norms, but if you're not, the following may help you choose the right name and understand the meaning of Japanese male names.
Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana
Japanese names often use kanji, a set of characters of Chinese origin and Japanese pronunciation. These characters provide a visual representation of the name and are quite complex, but parents can also use hiragana and katakana, which are simpler ways of writing kanji. For example, Japanese boy names, Haruto, look like this when written with the kanji: 晴斗. However, you can more easily write it in hiragana, which looks like this: はると. And in katakana, it's even more simplified: ハルト.
Characters, meaning and pronunciation
Once parents decide to use simplified kanji, hiragana, or katakana, they will choose the characters, meaning, and pronunciation, which tend to vary. Japanese names for boys and girls use over 3,000 kanji characters and combine them to create nicknames and meanings. There are many names, so you are spoiled for choice!charactersWhile parents can only use one letter in their child's name, many opt for two or three kanji to make the name more personal. Four-letter names are usually reserved for the eldest son in the family, so your firstborn may need a long Japanese male name.MeaningJapanese parents combine kanji to determine the meaning of their children's names. Kanji can have multiple meanings, which can also change depending on the combination. Take the name Daiki for example:
the Japanese characterTagcan mean "big" or "big".
And in combination the characterAit can mean "brightness", "tree" and "precious", among others.
So the name Daiki can mean “great brilliance”, “great brilliance”, “great value”, etc.
PronunciationJust as the meaning of Japanese boy names can vary, so can the pronunciation. Common and traditional names have familiar pronunciations, but many parents share the spelling and sound of their child's name because unusual kanji combinations can produce unexpected sounds. And since the 1990s, using unusual pronunciations for even the most common names has become popular. For example, take the kanji 大翔:
It has a traditional pronunciation of KHEE-RO-TOH that many parents still use.
But it also has other sounds including HA-ROO-TOH for Haruto's name and MAH-SAH-TOH for Masato's name.
For our list of Japanese names for boys, we've included the most common pronunciations, but remember you can choose others. Just remember to give people the spelling and sound when choosing a lesser-known pronunciation.
Popular Japanese names for boys
If you want a modern Japanese name, you can check this outbest baby namesin the USA and which is also causing a sensation in Japan. Of all the currently popular nicknames in Japan, two appear in the top 1000 names in the United States: Kenzo and Kenji. Otherwise, we've included other popular and trending names that topped the charts in Japan (and continue to do so). 1.Kenzo.The most popular Japanese boy name in the United States, at least in recent years, is Kenzo, traditionally spelled Kenzō. It's a good choice for a Japanese-American boy name, and you can associate it with the fashion house founded by fashion designer Kenzō Takada. the kanjiknowncan mean "humble", "healthy", "strong" and "wise", andLike thismeans "three".
2.Kenji.Another great choice for a Japanese American male name, Kenji is the second most popular Japanese male given name in the United States. Among other interpretationsknowncan mean "healthy", "strong", "spicy" and "chewy" andJimeanings".
3.Aoi.This Japanese name for boys is pronounced with three syllables (A-O-EE), and the most popular meaning is 'Holyhock' or 'Althea'. Although,in the directionit can also mean "green" or "blue", so there are other possible interpretations.
4.Aoto.You can pronounce this cute nickname like AH-O-TO. One of the most common meanings is "blue constellation", in whichin the directionmeans "blue" andArefers to a constellation in Chinese.
5.Haruto.Popular, common, and cute, the Japanese boy name Haruto offers an adorable meaning. Pronounced HA-ROO-TO, the name fitsHaru, which can mean "light, sun" or "clear weather", andA, which can mean "fly, fly" or refer to a Chinese constellation.
6.Hinata.Pronounced KHEE-NA-TA, this is the perfect name for your little sunshine. The most common meanings of the kanji combination of the name are "sunny place", "towards the sun" and "sunflower". There are quite a few Japanese boy names that mean 'sun', but with so many interpretations, this might just be a favorite!
7.Minato.While less common than other popular Japanese boy names on this list, Minato (pronounced MEE-NA-TO) has been around for decades and pops up again from time to time. It means "port".
8.Riku.Riku, pronounced REE-KOO, combines two kanji to form the typical meaning of "Earth". If you are interested in othersinternational names, you might want to know that Riku is also the Finnish short form of Richard.
9.Sota.If you like the ideanature baby names, you might think of Sota, traditionally written Sōta and pronounced SO-TA.Thencan mean "sound of the wind" andcompared to"great, great."
10Yuto.Although Yuto is a popular spelling, the traditional spelling of this Japanese boy's name is Yūto. Pronounced YOO-TO, it has a pretty cool meaning asYescan mean "excellence, superiority" andA"foo foo".
Choosing a baby name can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming. Watch this video to learn some fun facts that might help you find the perfect baby name!
Unique and rare Japanese boy names
To help your child stand out from the crowd, consider unique Japanese boy names.unique baby namesThey feature odd sounds and spellings and haven't been at the top of the popularity charts for a while. You can choose something unique and perfect for your only child from the following Japanese boy names. elevenAkimitsu.That's itunusual boy nameIt's perfect for your shining star. Pronounced A-KyEE-MEE-TSOO, it is a good choice among Japanese boy names meaning "light" as the kanji combination creates the interpretation of "bright light".
12Hanzo.Traditional spelling and notable carrier make this Japanese boy name unique. Pronounced HAWn-ZO, the name was used by a famous samurai in the 16th century. combineIsjLike thismeans "half" or "hide".
13Isamu.This might be the perfect name for Japanese boys as it simply means 'brave'. Pronounced EE-SA-MOO, the name of artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi might sound familiar.
14Junichi.Use this rare Japanese boy name for your unique little boy as it combines the kanjiJune, meaning "pure", withIchi, meaning "one". You can pronounce JWOOn-EE-CHEE.
15.Kenichi.Similar to the name above, Ken'ichi is also a unique option, pronounced KEWn-EE-CHEE. Combine like Kenzo and Kenjiknown, meaning "strong, healthy" or "study, hone," withIchi, meaning "one".
sixteen.WHOPronounced KO-ZEE, this is a unique yet strong Japanese male name.Esit can mean "prosperous", "peace" or "happiness, good luck". And if they matchJican mean "boss".
17Menoru.You might like the unique meaning behind the name Minoru, pronounced MEE-NO-ROO. A popular interpretation is "bear fruit" so that your child will be successful and good luck!
18Naomi.Although Naomi is one of the most popularjapanese girl names, it's unisex so it works for kids too. For every genreNaois usually interpreted as "even, even", butmitraditionally meaning "pretty" for girls and "me" for boys.
19Ryosuke.This name is unique in spelling, usually using the meaning "clear" for ryō and "help, support" forthey are. You have two options for pronunciation: RyO-SOO-KEH or RyO-SKEH.
20Bright.If you're wondering what Japanese boy names mean 'calm' or 'peace', Yasu is one of them. Pronounced YA-SOO, it can mean "peace, tranquility" or simply "peaceful."
Most Unique and Rare Japanese Boy Names
There are so many unique Japanese boy names out there, some with weird sounds and others like favorites from generations past. Take a look at the unusual names below.
Common Japanese Boy Names
What is a good Japanese boy name? The answer to this question depends on your personal opinion, but you can consider common Japanese boy names as the best choice for your child. They range somewhere between popular and unique, offering an old-fashioned vibe that never seems to go out of style.31.Arata.This common Japanese boy name has the cute meaning of ‘fresh, new’, making it perfect for the newcomer. It is pronounced A-RA-TA.
32.Fuyuki.You may have seen this Japanese male name before as it is quite common. Pronounced FOO-YOO-KEE, its more traditional meaning is "winter" and "tree".
33.Hikaru.Pronounced KHEE-KA-ROO, Hikaru means "light" or "brightness," though kanji combinations can create other interpretations. it is very commonGender neutral name.
34.Leave.With the cute pronunciation of OH-SOO-KAY, this name offers a sweet meaning of 'cherry blossom' and 'help'.
35.Ren.It is sweetold boy nameis making a comeback and it's certainly a cute Japanese name for American boys. It means "lotus" or "love".
36.Ritsu.Mean and sweet, Ritsu is pronounced REE-TSOO and is the perfect nickname if you come from a family of lawyers as it means "law" or "to be honest".
37.Shuto.If your baby is born in winter, they might like the Japanese name Shuto, pronounced SHA-TOH. Their kanji combination creates the meaning of "holly" and "winter".
38.Then.If you want a simple baby name with a short and sweet meaning, consider So, which is pronounced exactly as it sounds, SOH. It means "fresh" so your child will always be ready for anything!
39.Tatsuki.In some cultures, trees signify wisdom and strength, so consider the Japanese boy name Tatsuki if you're trying to convey that to your child! Pronounced TAT-SOO-KEE, it means "tree" and "means honesty".
40This one.Another name that works well for winter boys is Touji, which means "winter solstice" in Japanese. Pronounced TOH-JEE.
Most common Japanese boy names
Used by families for decades, these common Japanese boy names are a great choice if you're looking for a classic nickname for your child. To see even more common favorites, continue reading the list below.
cool japanese names for boys
If you are looking for bold or cool namesMiddle names for boys, consider a Japanese nickname. From modern meanings to bold sounds, these Japanese boy names will bring a cool vibe to your child.Banri.Pronounced BAN-RyEE, this Japanese boy's name has the legal meaning of "thousands of miles." It's a good nickname for wishing your little one a life of adventure.
52.Haru.Haru, pronounced HA-ROO, looks great! Although its kanji is independent, the name could be a nickname for the popular nickname Haruto.Harumeans "light, sun", "spring" or "clear weather".
53.Hikari.There are many Japanese boy names that mean 'light' and this is one of them. But what adds to its cool factor is the pronunciation of KHEE-KA-REE.
54.Kaede.You could use it as a Japanese American boy name as it is similar to the name Kade but with a slightly different spelling. But if you prefer the traditional name, Kaede is pronounced KA-EH-DEH in Japanese, meaning "maple".
55.Kaito.If you think the sea and the sky are cool, the name Kaito could be a good choice. Pronounced KA-EE-TO, where kai means "sea, ocean" and to means "fly, fly". This is also an option if you're looking for Japanese boy names meaning "water" or some form of water.
56.Sim.This is a good example of a single kanji name with multiple meaning options, e.gWoIt can mean "intelligent", "gem" and "to congratulate" among others. If you like spelling and are interested in other languages, you might like thisHawaiian boy nameKai.
57.Maasai.The unique spelling puts this nickname in the cool category of Japanese boy names. Also, it's pronounced MA-SA-OH and you can combine its kanji to mean "real hero".
58.Nori.The most common interpretation for kanjinoriit is "ceremony, rites". While it is pronounced NAW-ree as a nickname for Eleanor in the United States, Nori is pronounced NO-REE in Japanese.
59.Ryo.It doesn't get much cooler than a Japanese boy name meaning "cool". Ryō (pronounced RyOH) can mean "cool, refreshing", among other things.
60Taro.Traditionally written Tarō, this name is pronounced TA-RO. It's a very good boy name and therecompared tocan mean "big, great" in Japanese andAcan mean "son", you have a "big son".
More great Japanese names for boys
We really can't get enough of these cool Japanese boy names with their trendy sounds and bold meanings. Look below!
Short and Long Japanese Names for Boys
Due to the traditions behind Japanese names for boys, nicknames tend to be long with multiple kanji or short with just a single kanji. We've rounded up some of the best Japanese boy names, both short and long.71.Akio.although ashort boy name, Akio offers some interpretations.akiusually means "bright, luminous", and when combined,Öcan mean "man", "male", "hero" and more.
72.Hideyoshi.One interesting thing about Japanese male names is that they can seem quite long, but that's because they're just combining names. In this case, you have the name Hide, meaning excellent, exceptional, combined with Yoshi, meaning good, virtuous, or good luck. Together the name is pronounced KHEE-DEH-YO-SHEE.
73.Hirohito.For a long cute Japanese boy name, you have Hirohito, pronounced KHEE-RO-KHEE-TO. It has a very good meaning of "abundant" and "compassionate" or "person" when combinedHirojMarco.
74.Kazuyuki.That's itlong baby namemight have one of the best meanings in our list of Japanese boy names!Goatmeans "harmony, peace" andYukimeans "luck, good luck". Pronounced KA-ZOO-YOO-KyEE.
75.NO.Short and simple, Nao is pronounced NA-O and means "straight, straight".
76.Nobutoshi.Pronounced NO-BOO-TO-SHEE, Nobutoshi is a long name with an alluring meaning.nobucan mean "trust" andToschiusually means "quick, smart".
77.Cinammon.For a singular kanji name, you might choose Shin, which is pronounced SHEEN. In Japanese, this boy's name means "real, real".
78.Shinichi.If you like Shin's name and meaning above but prefer a longer Japanese name for your little boy, consider Shin'ichi. Pronounced SHEEN-EE-CHEE and matchesCinammon("real, real") withIchi, meaning "one".
79.Scho.This is another unique name with a few different meaning options. Pronounced SHO, it can mean "fly," "glide," "prize," or "reward," among other things.
80.Yori.Yori, pronounced YO-REE, is an excellent choice for a cute Japanese baby name. It simply means "trust," and being trustworthy is an admirable trait.
More short and long Japanese boy names
Japanese names for boys seem to offer two options: short and long! So we've added a few more mini nicknames and long titles for you to consider.
cute japanese names for boys
Your adorable baby certainly deserves a cute name, and there are plenty of cute Japanese options. These cute Japanese boy names offer sounds and meanings that will warm your heart.
91.Asuka.This is a unisex Japanese name with a beautiful meaning. Pronounced A-SOO-KA or A-SKA, the name fitsasu, which can mean "morning", "scent" or "fly", withIs, meaning "bird".
92.DaigoWith a cute pronunciation of DA-EE-GO, this Japanese boy name is already a winner. But it also has a beautiful meaning: "big, big" and "enlightenment".
93.Fuyutake.Pronounced FOO-YOO-TA-KAY, this Japanese boy's name has a cute, nature-inspired meaning.fuyucan mean "winter" andLadencould mean "bamboo".
94.cabelloIf your baby was born in spring, consider this Japanese name as it means "spring man". He also has a cute pronunciation, HA-ROO-OH.
95.Isao.Another cute and short option, Isao is pronounced EE-SA-OH, meaning "virtue" or "honor, merit."
96.Kohaku.The cute sound of this Japanese boy's name makes him really endearing. Pronounced KO-HA-KOO, it means "amber," so it's a good choice if your baby is born in November, as amber is the birthstone of the month.
97.Store.If the spelling and sound of this cute Japanese boy's name aren't enough, you'll love the meaning too. Pronounced KO-KyEE,Zuckercan mean "light" or "happiness, good luck", andAcan mean "hope" or "brightness".
98.Schoichi.For a cute name for your child, consider Shoichi, pronounced SHO-EE-CHEE.Schomeans "iris" andIchimeans "one".
99Happy.Touwa has so many great performances that it's hard to choose the best meaning! Pronounced TO-WAH,Alsocan mean "winter" or "wisteria", andvonit can mean "feathers" or "peace, harmony".
100.Yoshi.Yoshi is perhaps the cutest name for Japanese boys as it simply means ‘good luck’. If you loved Nintendo as a kid, you might remember Yoshi as Mario and Luigi's friendly dinosaur and trusty sidekick in Super Mario World.
The cutest Japanese names for boys
Your child might need a cute Japanese boy name that means 'pure' or 'dream and vision', so here are a few more options to consider.
cute japanese names for boys
In Japanese culture, it is not uncommon to give a man a sweet name, whether in sound or in meaning. We think you will love the following Japanese boy names that have beautiful and cute meanings that just fall out of your mouth. 111Akemi.In addition to its beautiful sound, as it's pronounced A-KEH-MEE, Akemi also has the perfect meaning of "shiny" (Advance payment) It is wonderful" (mi). Another interpretation of this gender-neutral Japanese name is "natural beauty," which your child is sure to have!
112.Atsuki.There are many interpretations of the beautiful Japanese boy name Atsuki, but some of the prettiest include 'warmth' and 'hope'. Pronounced AT-SOO-KEE.
113.Haruka.Pronounced HA-ROO-KA, this is another name that has many meanings. The most beautiful interpretations could stand for "spring".Haruand "flower, bud" or "scent" forIs.
114.JuneFor a simple yet cute Japanese boy name, consider Jun, another gender-neutral option. Pronounced JOON, it can mean "pure," "wet," or "clean."
115.Michi.Not only beautiful but also quite common, Michi is another gender-neutral Japanese name. Pronounced MEE-CHEE, it has the beautiful meaning of "path". Surely your new arrival has created a new path for you!
116.Noriaki.The sound of this name makes it so beautiful as it is pronounced NO-REE-A-KyEE.norican mean "law" or "rule, ceremony", andakican mean "bright, clear, clear".
117.Soma.This name is traditionally written as Sōma and pronounced as SO-MAThenjMutterto create the beautiful meaning of "wind noise" and "real, real".
118.Touja.If you like the sweet stillness of a sunset or a starry sky, you might like the name Touya, pronounced TOH-YA, which simply means "evening, night."
119.Yoshiharu.Putting the two names together, Yoshiharu can mean both "goodness" and "spring," which is fair considering spring brings us so many good things! Pronounced YO-SHEE-HA-ROO.
120.Yukiya.This beautiful and cute Japanese boy name, pronounced YOO-KEE-YA, is a great choice for your little one.Yukican mean "happiness" or "snow", andvonis often used as an exclamation mark. So your child is "lucky!" Or he is "Snow!"
The cutest Japanese names for boys
Because of the many ways to combine kanji, the list of cute Japanese names for boys is almost endless! We couldn't skip names meaning "good luck" and "peace, tranquility," so here are more cute nicknames.
Powerful Japanese names for boys
strong boy namesrich in Japanese. You will find tons of kanji combinations that give strong meaning to your strong baby!
131.Akira.This strong Japanese male name means 'bright' or 'clear', so your child can use their clear mind to guide them! It also has the pleasant pronunciation of A-KyEE-RA.
132.Chihiro.Pronounced CHEE-KHEE-RO, this powerful name combineslice, meaning "thousand", andHiro, meaning "probe".
133.Daiki.All of the kanji combinations for Daiki make this a powerful Japanese name for boys. Pronounced DA-EE-KyEE,Tagcan mean "big, great" and when combined,Acan mean "brightness", "tree" or "precious".
134.Fuyuto.If you think winter is a strong season, this might just be the right name for you. Fuyuto, pronounced FOO-YOO-TOH, means "winter" and "get up, get up".
135.Haruja.Haruya, another nature-inspired Japanese boy name meaning ‘spring’, takes it a step furthervon, which is an exclamation or means "also, more". Then the power of spring intensifies!
136.Hiro.As a unisex Japanese male name, Hiro (pronounced HEE-RO) is an adaptable name choice. Aside from sounding like the word hero, which already gives power to this name, it also has the powerful meanings of 'abundant', 'generous' and 'wealthy'. If you were a fan of the TV seriesheroes, one might think of the character who could travel back in time and stop time.
137.Kazuo.If you are looking for a Japanese boy name with deep meaning, consider Kazuo, pronounced KA-ZOO-O.Goatit can mean "peace, harmony" and when combined, or it can mean "male" or "masculine". So your son is a “peaceful man”.
138.Masashi.Another strong option is the name Masashi, pronounced MA-SA-SHEE.Tempocan mean "government", and when combined,skiingIt can mean "will, purpose".
139.Shuji.In a nutshell, Shuji means "rule, rule". Pronounced SHOO-JEE.
140.Toy.Pronounced TOH-YA, the first part of that name (A) means "glycine". But what gives Toya strength is the meaning behind itvon, which is "arrow".
The strongest Japanese boy names
Keep these Japanese male names strong with the following nicknames, some of which have very strong meanings like 'victory', 'trust' and 'eternal'.
Japanese Number Names for Boys
Many Japanese boy names indicate the order in which a child will arrive, such as first born, second born, etc. All you have to do is match the kanjiRo, meaning "son", with the kanji for each number. Although few families have 10 children, if you like this idea you can always use the first handful of names! Here are the numeric names of the first through tenth children: 151.Ichiro. Ichimeans "one", so Ichiro, pronounced EE-CHEE-RO, is the perfect Japanese name for your first baby! The traditional spelling is Ichirō, and you may be thinking of Ichiro Suzuki, a former professional baseball player who broke rookie records in his freshman year with the Seattle Mariners.
152.Full.For your second child, you could go with JiroJimeans "two". It is pronounced JEE-RO and traditionally written Jiro.
153.Saburo.VonSabumeaning "three", Saburo (or Saburō) works for his third son. Pronounced SA-BUH-RO.
154.Schiro.The fourth child in the family may be given the Japanese boy name Shiro, traditionally Shirō. Pronounced SHEE-RO,skiingmeans "four" and of courseRomeans "son".
155.Goro.Goro continues with the number theme, asemeans "five", making it a good choice for a fifth child. The spelling and pronunciation make this cute Japanese name for boys as it is pronounced GO-RO. You can also use the traditional Gorō spelling.
156.Rokuro.For your sixth child, continue to rely on Rokoru (or Rokorō), pronounced RO-KOO-RO.Romeans "six".
157.Shichiro.Your seventh child could be called Shichiro, asSchichimeans "seven". It's pronounced SHEE-CHEE-RO whether you use the traditional Shichirō spelling or this more common spelling.
158.is not presentWhen you have eight kids, think Hachiro, pronounced HA-CHEE-RO.hachimeans "eight" and you can use Hachirō as a more traditional spelling of the name.
159.leave Ait simply means "nine", so you can use kuro or kurō for a ninth child. Pronounced KOO-RO.
160.leiFinally, the tenth son was traditionally called Juro (Jūrō), asparts listmeans "ten". It also comes with a cute pronunciation, JOO-ROO.
Even more Japanese boy names
If you can't get enough of these popular, common, unique, cute, strong, cool and bold Japanese boy names, we've added more below!
the bottom line
Ifkorean boy names, Japanese names for boys offer a unique cultural naming technique. Finding the perfect nickname for your new arrival can be a challenging task, but with Japanese boy names, you can almost create your own by combining different kanji and choosing custom meanings and sounds.
Check out our list for even more ideas and inspirationAsian names for boys..
If you are interested in other languages and cultures, you can consult our listIrish boy namesÖitalian boy namesWhatever name you choose, it will be the right one because you and your child have already bonded and know what's best. When you make the big decision, don't forget to download itPampers Club-AppThis is how you can earn rewards for any future diaper purchases that little Jun or Kenji will need!