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+450 Cute Japanese Boy Names and Meanings

Attractive Japanese Boy Names You’ll Love!

Looking for some cute Japanese boy names with cool meanings?  They are definitely becoming popular in western societies and even around the world. It’s no surprise because Japanese boy names are both beautiful and so very unique with rich history and tradition.  You’ll notice many Japanese boy names related to nature, water, and fire just to name a few.

The Japanese language is quite complex so keep in mind that Japanese names for boys can often have multiple meanings because of the characters used. Typically you’ll see Japanese names written in kanji (meaning Han character), although some also use hiragana or katakana and others use a mix. Therefore, depending on which type is used, the meanings can vary. 

This means any given name can have tens or even hundreds of different meanings depending on which characters are used (the combinations are endless). I’ll try to include the most common meanings but if you see a name you particularly love and want to explore more alternate meanings you can use  word hippo for translations from Japanese kanji characters to English.

Japan doesn’t have a trending baby names list in the same way the US does, there’s nothing officially released yearly by the government.

Instead, other organizations take on this task from time to time. The unofficial list of top baby names in Japan usually comes from an insurance company called Meiji Yasuda which polls its customers (so it’s obviously not as extensive) and reports the top names in their yearly name list

Meiji Yasuda said that the character for blue was super popular in 2020 because it represented a feeling of freedom and is considered hopeful names for babies in light of current circumstances.

Let’s take a look at some male Japanese names, shall we?

Just a side note, I’ve tried to list all the Japanese boy names alphabetically from a-z, however, you’ll notice a few are missing ( L,Q,V,X) because those don’t exist in Japanese names.

JAPANESE NAMES FOR BOYS

cute Japanese baby boy with title Japanese boy names and meanings

A

Agito

Agito –  this cute and handsome boy name means ‘bright person’ or ‘ reach’

Aiko

Aiko – is a Japanese name boy name meaning ‘love’ or ‘tiger’

Aito

Aito –  this short boy name means ‘ocean, sea’, or ‘darling child’ 

Aizen

Aizen –  this a cool Japanese boy name meaning ‘love, good’, ‘indigo’ or ‘dyed’ 

Akane

Akane –  this boy name means ‘ is bright sound’, or ‘beautiful, lovely sound’

Akihiko

Akihiko –  this strong and beautiful boy name means ‘bright prince’

Akira

Aikira- this cute and unique Japanese boy name can mean ‘wise man, ‘bright, light, shining’  or ‘cheerfulness’

Akio

Akio –  is a cute name that combines the kanji characters for ‘bright, luminous and ‘man, hero or manly’ 

Akito

Akito –  this Japanese boy name means ‘morning sun climbing’, ‘autumn and winter’ or ‘friend’ 

Akiro

Akiro –  is such a cute and handsome boy name, it means ‘bright boy’

Aoi

Aoi – is currently the #6 Japanese baby name topping the charts for 2020 and it means ‘bluish’ 

Aoto

Aoto –  is 7th on the list and means ‘blue green’

Arai

Arai – is a Japanese male name meaning ‘love, thunder’

Arakan

Arakan –  this stunning Japanese boy name means ‘hero’ or ‘worthy one’ and is also a mountain range 

Arashi

Arashi –  this beautiful boy name means ‘storm’, ‘new heart’ , ‘new samurai’ or ‘ to be affectionate’

Arata

Arata –  this rare Japanese boy name means ‘new field’ or ‘fresh, new’

Asahi

Asahi –  this is one of the top 10 Japanese  names for boys of 2020 and it means ‘morning, sunlight’

Ayato

Ayato –  is a cool and unique sounding boy name that means ‘logic, reason’ and ‘justice’

Azu

Azu –  this short and cute boy name means ‘bright, long life’, ‘sky’ or ‘crane’

B

Banko

Banko –  this Japanese boy name’s meaning is ‘everlasting’ or ‘perpetuity’ 

Benjiro 

Benjiro –  this cool and unique Japanese boy name means ‘peaceful’ or ‘enjoy peace’ and could easily translate to an American name too with the nickname Ben

Botan

Botan –  this Japanese baby boy name means ‘peony’

C

Chako

Chako –  is a boy name that’s a combination of ‘tea’ and ‘child’

Chibi

Chibi –  is a Japanese word that means ‘small’ or ‘short’ 

Chihiro

Chihiro –  is a cool Japanese boy name that means ‘thousand abundance’ or ‘thousand gains’ 

Chikaru

Chikaru –  is a strong boy name that’s a combination of ‘harmonious and ‘dragon’ or ‘lapis lazuli’

Chisen

Chisen –  this boy name means ‘thousand foundation’

Chitora

Chitora –  is a strong and powerful Japanese boy name that means ‘thousand tiger’

D

Dai

Dai –  is a shot and cute Japanese boy name meaning ‘large’ or ‘thick’

Daichi

Daichi –  this baby boy name means ‘large, great’ combined with ‘earth, land’

Daigo

Daigo –  is similar to the above names where the first symbol means ‘large’ but  this one is combined with ‘enlightenment’

Daiki

Daiki – is another cute name, this one means ‘big, shining’

Daimon

Daimon – this boy name is a combination of words that means ‘big’ and ‘gate’

Daisho


Daisho –  is another top 10 Japanese boy name and it means ‘big little’ and refers to pair of matched traditional Japanese swords worn by samurai

Daisuke

Daisuke-  is a boy name meaning ‘impressive’ or ‘great help’ 

Daizen

Daizen- is a very cool sounding name, it means ‘big’ combined with ‘meal’

Danto

Danto –  combines the symbols for ‘warm’ and ‘come true’

E

Eiji

Eiji –  is a Japanese boy name with many variations in Kanji so there are tons of meanings, some of the most common ones are ‘excellent, ‘to succeed’, ‘prosperity, peace’ and ‘second born’

Eita

Eita – is an uncommon boy name that means ‘thick crystal’ 

Eito

Eito –  boy name meaning ‘prosperous person’ or ‘glory, honor’ 

Eiza

Eiza –  this name is a combination of the words meaning ‘flourish’ and ‘three’

Emihiko

Emihiko – is a strong boy name meaning ‘laugh and ‘respectable man of virtue and wit’

Enju

Enju – is a cool unisex Japanese name that means ‘longevity 

Enmei 

Enmei – is a baby name meaning ‘life-sustaining or ‘bright circle’ 

Eren

Eren – is a beautiful Japanese male name meaning ‘love, affection’
 

Eriya

Eriya –  this unique and beautiful name means ‘blessed’

Ezumi

Ezumi – is a boy  name combining ‘river, fountain, spring’ and ‘pure’

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F

Fuji

Fuji – is a short and sweet boy name meaning ‘wisteria’

Fujitora

Fujitora –  sounds like a pretty cool and futuristic boy name, it means ‘wisteria’ and ‘tiger’

Fumihiro

Fumihiro –  combines the symbols for the words ‘wide, large’ and ‘sentence, writing’

Furio

Furio –  this unique and cool boy name means ‘wind’ and ‘village’

G

Garon

Garon –  this name combines the meanings ‘to be delighted’ and ‘logical’

Genjiro

Genjiro – also has many possible combinations in kanji and therefore many meanings, some common ones include ‘origin’ ‘two’ ‘second son’ and ‘cheerfulness’

Genri

Genri – this cute name means ‘fundamental truth’ or ‘expert’ and ‘fortunate’

Gidou

Gidou –  this boy baby name means ‘righteousness and ‘child’

Ginnan

Ginnan –  is an uncommon boy name that means ‘silver’ and ‘apricot’

Gohan

Gohan –  this cool Japanese boy name actually means ‘cooked rice’ or ‘meal of any sort’

Goki

Goki –  is another cute name and it means ‘each other’ and ‘strong intention’

Goku

Goku –  this popular Japanese baby boy name means ‘awakening to emptiness’

Goro

Goro –  name meaning is ‘fifth son’ or ‘enlightened son’

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H

Hachiro

Hachiro –  this cool and cute boy name means ‘eighth son’

Hakaku

Hakaku –  sounds almost melodic and this strong boy  name means ‘white crane’ 

Hakaru

Hakaru –  has many combinations and meanings, some common ones include ‘to measure’ ‘make progress’, ‘research’ and ‘ even, level, flat’

Han

Han –  can mean ‘sail’, or ‘companion’ depending on the kanji used

Haru

Haru –  this short and cute baby name’s meaning is ‘spring’ like the season and it’s a unisex name

Haruki

Haruki – is another version of the above name and it means ‘spring child’ 

Haruko

Haruko – this Japanese unisex baby name means ‘spring child’

Haruto

Haruto – is  the #1 Japanese baby boy name of 2020 and it means ‘sunlight, bright’ ‘soar’ ‘person’, and ‘spring’  

Hayato

Hayato –  this boy name can mean ‘falcon person’, ‘bravery’, ‘speedy’ and ‘sounds of the wind

Hideki

Hideki –  this baby boy name has many meanings including ‘timber trees’, ‘excellence, superior’, ‘ pleasure’ 

Hijiri

Hijiri – can mean a ‘holy man, saint’ or ‘fire’

Hinata

Hinata – is a cool unisex Japanese name and it means ‘sunny place’ or ‘toward the sun’

Hinote

Hinote – is a Japanese boy name meaning ‘fire’ or ‘blast’

Hikaru

Hikaru – this super cute and uncommon baby name means ‘to shine’ ‘light’ and ‘radiance’ 

Hiro

Hiro –  is a strong and short boy name with multiple meanings, some common ones include ‘abundant’, ‘knowledgable’  ‘generous’, ‘broad, widespread’, and ‘prosperous’ 

Hiroaki

Hiroaki –  also has many combinations and meanings like ‘achievement, bright’, ‘spreading brightness’ , or ‘widespread light’ 

Hiroki

Hiroki – is a baby name meaning ‘abundant radiance or ‘large woods’ 

Hiroto

Hiroto  – is a cute and popular Japanese boy name that refers to the constellation Ursa Major and means ‘great soaring’ or ‘great flight’

Hitoshi

Hitoshi – this baby name means ‘compassionate, benevolent’, ‘equal, level’ and ‘cleaning, purifying’ 

Hoshi

Hoshi –  this cute baby boy name means ‘star’ 

Hotaru

Hotaru –  this super cute nature inspired boy name means ‘firefly’ or ‘lightning bug’ 

I

Ichiro

Ichiro – is a boy name with many meanings and common is ‘firstborn son’ 

Inari

Inari – as a baby name can mean ‘successful one’, ‘rice load’, and ‘responsible’ and is a unisex name

Iroha

Iroha – unisex Japanese name that means ‘coloring leaf or feather’, or ‘basics’ 

Ishin

Ishin – this baby boy name can mean ‘stone, under’ , ‘ reason true’, and ‘depending, true’ 

Itaru 

Itaru – has many meanings including ‘dictates’, ‘arrival’, ‘ to stretch, relax’ and ‘charcter, rank’ 

Itsuki

Itsuki – this cute name can mean ‘tree’, ‘the one moon’, and ‘servant of God’

Izumi

Izumi – is a unisex baby name meaning ‘spring’ or ‘fountain’

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J

Jinsei

Jinsei – this handsome boy name’s meaning is  ‘life’, ‘life force’
 

Jinzo

Jinzo –  depending on the kanji used this name can mean ‘man made’, ‘synthetic’ or ‘kidney’

Jiren

Jiren –  has multiple kanji as well, it can mean ‘stove’, ‘lotus, compassion’, ‘plant’

Jiro 

Jiro –  is a short and cute boy name that means ‘second-born son’

Joben

Joben –  this boy name means ‘enjoys cleanness’ 

Jotaro

Jotaro –  this attractive Japanese boy name means ‘turtle’ or ‘six’ depending on the kanji used

Junan

Junan – also has many variations and meanings, the most common is ‘passion’

K

Kai

Kai –  this cute classic boy name can be found in so many different cultures, it has a number of meanings in Japanese including ‘ocean,’, ‘shell’, ‘restoration’, ‘forgiveness’, and ‘open’

Kaien

Kaien –  this water-inspired baby name can mean ‘ocean, swallow’, ‘nori, seaweed’, or ‘deep ocean’

Kaiyo

Kaiyo –  this baby name can mean ‘ocean’ or ‘forgiveness’

Kakashi

Kakashi –  this cool baby name from Japan means ‘scarecrow’

Kame

Kame –  is a short and cute baby boy name meaning ‘tortoise’ or ‘turtle’ 

Katsuki

Katsuki – has many different kanji but common meanings include ‘summer’ combined with ‘moon’

Katsumi

Katsumi – is used as names for girls and boys in Japan, it means different things depending on the characters used including ‘overcome, self’, ‘overcome, sixth earthly branch’, or ‘overcome, beauty’ 

Kazue

Kazue –  is a unique boy name meaning ‘one branch’, ‘harmony, peace’, or ‘favor, benefit’ 

Kazuki

Kazuki –  sounds really cool and modern, it means ‘peaceful tree’, ‘hope of peace’,  or ‘one, shine’

Kazumi

Kazumi – is a gender-friendly name that’s given to Japanese baby girls and boys, it means ‘harmony, peace’ along with ‘beautiful’ 

Kaito

Kaito –  this name sounds super cute and means ‘ocean, sea’ combined with ‘soar, fly’ 

Kenji

Kenji –  is another popular name and its meaning is ‘intelligent second child’, ‘strong and vigorous’  or ‘healthy child’

Kenrō

Kenrō –  is a Japanese name meaning ‘robustness’, or ‘firm, rooted, hard and solid’ 

Kenshiro

Kenshiro – if you want a Japanese boy name with an English language version, this could be the one! This name’s meaning is ‘strong and robust fourth son’ or ‘white sword’ depending on the kanji used. You could use Ken as a nickname. 

Kenzo

Kenzo –  is another modern Japanese name that’s rising in popularity in the west, it means ‘strong and healthy’

Kirito

Kirito – is a name taken from a popular Japanese fictional character and is a made-up name so it doesn’t have a true meaning but does take some elements that could mean ‘person who brings peace’

Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi –  this boy name meanings include ‘pure’, ‘clear, and ‘quiet child’ 

Kiryu

Kiryu –  is such a beautiful sounding boy name and it also has many meanings including ‘cleanse, pure, holy’, ‘joy, dragon’, and ‘vigor’ 

Kobe

Kobe – comes from a city name in Japan, and it’s meaning is ‘god, door’ 

Koki

Koki – this cute name means ‘bright light’ and ‘hopeful, good fortune’

Kota

Kota – is another beautiful name for boys, it means ‘happiness, good fortune’ 

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M

Makoto

Makoto – is a gender-neutral name but is commonly used by males, it means ‘sincerity’ or ‘truth’

Masato

Masato –  this strong male Japanese name meaning is ‘true man’ or ‘holy man’

Miko

Miko – was historically a female name but is now considered a gender-neutral name and means ‘godly child’, ‘beautiful child’, ‘red truth’ or ‘shrine maiden’ 

Minato

Minato – this unique and handsome boy name means ‘harbor’

Mitsu

Mitsu –  is another gender-neutral name with meanings including ‘light’, ‘honey’, or a combination of ‘beautiful, haven’

Mitsuya

Mitsuya –  is a Japanese name meaning is ‘three, arrow’ 

Mochi

Mochi – this cute Japanese name means ‘rice cake’ 

N

Nijio

Nijio – is a boy name that combines the kanji characters meaning ‘rainbow’ and ‘husband’ 

Nikko

Nikko – is a cute sounding boy name meaning ‘sunshine’ or ‘daylight’

Ninja

Ninja – this strong warrior name means ‘ a person who persevere’ or ‘ conceal, person’ 

Nobu

Nobu – is a short and sweet Japanese male name, it means ‘trust’ or ‘prolong, stretch’ 

Nori

Nori – is a unisex name that’s perfect for girls and boys, it means ‘doctrine’, ‘ceremony, rites’ or ‘belief

O

Oda

Oda – this name was a place name and surname, it means ‘small rice paddy’

Oko

Oko – this short name means ‘child 

Ozu

Ozu – this short boy name meaning is ‘little, small’ combined with ‘haven, port, harbor’ 

R

Rai

Rai – is a cool strong name for boys, it means ‘lightening, thunder’ and ‘trust’ 

Raidon

Raidon – this uncommon boy name means ‘thunder god’ 

Raiyu

Raiyu –  is another strong and powerful boy name meaning ‘the next great coming’ or ‘thunder’ combined with ‘to play’

Ren

Ren – is one of the most popular Japanese boy names and it’s short, cute and easy to pronounce, making it a popular choice in western countries as well, it means ‘water lily’ or ‘lotus’

Renjiro

Renjiro – is a handsome and unique boy name meaning ‘clean, upright, honest’

Riku

Riku – also has many kanji characters and meanings including ‘land’,  and ‘handsome’ 

Ringo

Ringo – this cute baby name means ‘apple’ 

Ritsu

Ritsu – is a boy name meaning combining ‘law, regulation’ with ‘boy, prince’ 

Riso

Riso – this cute baby boy name means ‘ideal’ 

Ritsu

Ritsu – is a boy name meaning ‘regulation, law’, ‘rhythm, control’

Rokuro 

Rokuro – this handsome boy name means ‘ sixth son’ 

Rukia

Rukia – this boy name combines the kanji characters meaning ‘precious stone or gem’ with ‘star, dot, or mark’

Ryota

Ryota – this intriguing boy name’s meaning combines ‘refreshing, cool’ with ‘big, thick, or plump’ 

Ryu

Ryu – this strong and cool baby boy name means ‘dragon’ 

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S

Sanji

Sanji – is a baby boy name meaning ‘third son’ 

Satoru

Satoru –  this word comes from Japanese Buddhism and means ‘to know’ or ‘to understand’ and refers to spiritual awakening and enlightenment

Satoshi

Satoshi – this handsome Japanese boy name means ‘clear thinking, quick witted’ or ‘wise’ 

Shinji

Shinji – is a tough and strong boy name that means ‘careful, prudent’ combined with ‘warrior’ 

Shinjiro

Shinjiro –  is a beautiful boy name meaning ‘genuine, true’ and ‘second son’ 

Shiro 

Shiro –  is a cute sounding yet fierce boy name can mean ‘samurai male’, ‘white’ or ‘castle’ 

Shinobu

Shinobu – is considered a unisex gender-neutral name and it means ‘endurance, patience’ 

Shinta

Shinta – is a masculine name that means ‘lengthen, cultivate, develop’  or ‘real, genuine’ combined with ‘big, thick’ 

Sho

Sho – is a short yet strong boy name meaning ‘Commander’ or ‘General’, it can also mean ‘soar, fly’ 

Sosuke

Sosuke – this name can mean ‘smooth’, ‘complete’ or ‘clever’ depending on the kanji used

Soma

Soma – name meaning combines ‘sound of the wind’ with ‘real, genuine’; alternate kanji suggest its meaning to be ‘inter, mutual’ combined with ‘horse’

Sota

Sota – this boy name can mean ‘port, harbor’ or ‘thick, plump and big’

Soto

Soto – this boy name simply means ‘outside’ 

T

Tadashi

Tadashi –  this handsome Japanese boy name means ‘correct, right, true’ combined with ‘lucky, auspicious’ and ‘loyal, devotion’ – if it sounds familiar, it’s probably because you heard it in Big Hero 6 (he’s the big bro and certainly lives up to his name) 

Taichi

Taichi –  is a boy name combining the kanji for ‘thick, big’ and ‘one’ 

Taizen

Taizen –  this boy name combines the characters for ‘big’ and ‘good’

Takamori

Takamori –  is a nature-inspired Japanese name meaning ‘tall or high forest’

Takumi

Takumi – this cute baby boy name means ‘artisan’ or ‘skillful’ 

Takuya

Takuya – is a boy name that can mean ‘superb’ or ‘ to expand, to cultivate’

Tatsuki 

Tatsuki –  is considered a unisex baby name and it means ‘standing trees’ or ‘timber trees’ 

Tomoharu

Tomoharu –  is a popular name meaning ‘wisdom, intellect’ or ‘friend’ combined with ‘spring’ 

Tanoshi

Tanoshi –  this sweet and cute boy name means ‘enjoyable, pleasant, delightful’
 

Torashi

Torashi – this boy name’s meaning combines ‘sign of the tiger’ with ‘history, chronicle

Toshi

Toshi –  is another cute option and has quite a few different meanings and kanji including ‘goodness, worth’, ‘handsome’, ‘mirror, reflection,  and ‘wisdom, intellect, and reason’ 

Toshiro

Toshiro –  this baby boy name means ‘talented, intelligent’ or ‘clever son’ 

U

Uri 

Uri – this short and cute name means ‘melon’

Ushio

Ushio – is a beautiful nature inspired name meaning ‘tide’, ‘salt water’ or ‘edges of water’  or depending on the kanji it could also mean ‘cow’

W

Wahiro

Wahiro – this name means ‘great harmony’ 

Wataru

Wataru – this boy name meaning is ‘navigate’ or ‘cross over’ 

Y

Yahiko

Yahiko – combines the kanji characters for ‘night, dark’ with ‘boy or prince’ 

Yakumo

Yakumo –  this cute name means ‘thick clouds’ 

Yama

Yama –  this short, cute and strong baby name means ‘mountain’ 

Yamato

Yamato – if you want to impart a little bit of heritage on your little one, this was one of the oldest names for Japan itself and it means ‘great harmony and peace’ 

Yami

Yami –  this Japanese boy name meaning is  ‘dark’ or ‘darkness’ 

Yoru

Yoru –  this name means ‘night’

Yoshio

Yoshio – this cute Japanese boy name means ‘courageous one’ or ‘righteous man’  or ‘good fortune, lucky’

Yuito

Yuito – this popular Japanese boy name means ‘solely’, ‘only’ or ‘simply’ combined with ‘person’

Yuki

Yuki – is a gender neutral baby name meaning ‘snow’ or ‘lucky’ 

Yukio

Yukio – this sweet Japanese name for boys means ‘snow boy’ 

Z

Zen

Zen – this cool and short boy name means ‘meditation’ or ‘contemplation’ and is related to Buddhism 

Zenaku

Zenaku – is a name that strives for balance and means ‘good and evil’ 

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smiling Japanese baby boy with title cute Japanese boy names a-z

WRAPPING UP JAPANESE MALE NAMES AND MEANINGS

Hopefully, this list of beautiful male Japanese names has given you some inspiration on your baby name search to find something unique, powerful, and with strong meanings. There’s a variety to choose from and you can give your child just the meaning you want because there are so many different kanji variations to choose from.

Japanese parents take their time in choosing just the right combination for their little one because it is the first gift you bestow upon your child and with it you share your hopes and dreams for your little one.

This could be one of the reasons that the unisex name Aoi keeps topping the list for both boys and girls. It is the name for the hollyhock flower and the kanji character means blue, as we noted this is equated with freedom, ambition, and hopefulness.

If you’re still looking for more baby name inspiration, don’t forget to check out some of the other name posts listed above!

SHARING IS CARING!