Golden Cub Club

Name explorer

Japanese baby name explorer

Japanese given names usually combine kanji whose readings parents choose deliberately. The same kanji can be read multiple ways, which is why romaji on a U.S. birth certificate sometimes surprises Japanese relatives who expected a different pronunciation.

Nature and season names remain popular for girls and increasingly for boys. Gender-neutral options are common in contemporary Japan but may still surprise older relatives overseas.

Reading matters more than spelling

Write the kanji and confirm the reading with family before you monogram anything. School staff will use your romaji spelling; grandparents may use a different reading of the same characters. Document both if bilingual home life is the goal.

Search Japanese names

Filter by meaning or spelling. Example searches: peace, spring, jade, Min, Haru.

Gender filter

30 names shown

  • 陽翔 (Haruto)

    Boy

    sun flying

  • 悠真 (Yūma)

    Boy

    leisure truth

  • 颯太 (Sōta)

    Boy

    sudden big

  • 蓮 (Ren)

    Boy

    lotus

  • 大翔 (Hiroto)

    Boy

    big soar

  • 海斗 (Kaito)

    Boy

    ocean dipper

  • 大和 (Yamato)

    Boy

    great harmony

  • 大輝 (Daiki)

    Boy

    great shine

  • 匠 (Takumi)

    Boy

    artisan

  • 樹 (Itsuki)

    Boy

    tree

  • 陽向 (Hinata)

    Neutral

    toward the sun

  • 桜 (Sakura)

    Girl

    cherry blossom

  • 結衣 (Yui)

    Girl

    tie clothing; bind

  • 陽菜 (Hina)

    Girl

    sun greens

  • 葵 (Aoi)

    Neutral

    hollyhock

  • 澪 (Mio)

    Girl

    waterway

  • 凛 (Rin)

    Neutral

    dignified cold

  • 芽依 (Mei)

    Girl

    sprout relying

  • 陽葵 (Himari)

    Girl

    sun hollyhock

  • 明里 (Akari)

    Girl

    bright village

  • ニコ (Niko)

    Girl

    smile (loan style)

    Katakana nickname-style given name

  • 春 (Haru)

    Neutral

    spring

  • 雪 (Yuki)

    Neutral

    snow

    Also written 幸 (happiness)

  • 空 (Sora)

    Neutral

    sky

  • 湊 (Minato)

    Boy

    harbor

  • 朝陽 (Asahi)

    Boy

    morning sun

  • 小春 (Koharu)

    Girl

    little spring

  • 七海 (Nanami)

    Girl

    seven seas

  • 陸 (Riku)

    Boy

    land

  • 沙菜 (Sana)

    Girl

    sand greens

Before you finalize

  • Count strokes only if your family actually cares; skip superstition you do not plan to honor.
  • Test nicknames early (Haru-chan, Yuu-kun) because they outlive the newborn phase.
  • If you use a Japanese name plus English legal name, decide who uses which at church, J-school, and passport control.

Keep reading: A Mixed-Couple Guide to Naming Your Baby, When Your Child Does Not Want to Go to Heritage School.

Other explorers: Korean, Chinese, Indian, Filipino, and Vietnamese.

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