Loading...

Nov 13, 2025

Japanese names you love?

I blogged yesterday about this year's top baby names in Japan, and there was quite a focus on nature and calmness in the most popular picks. I was wondering if there are any Japanese names you love for the meaning behind them. Maybe you have a friend, coworker, or even family member with a beautiful name. I'd be happy to hear what it is, and why you like it so much!

genkidesu

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

6 Answers



Best Answer

  • TonetoEdo

    on Nov 13

    I've taught a handful of boys called Hugo and Rui (Louis), and girls called Arisa (Alisa) and Kairi (Kylie). All of them are written in kanji. Some of the kids have foreign roots, so they know the meaning and origin of the other-language versions of their names. In the last five years, I've taught three boys named Shin - simply the kanji for heart. I think this is a cool name for boys.

    0
  • helloalissa

    on Nov 13

    @TonetoEdo Hah, the name I use in Japan is Arisa, for ease of pronunciation, plus it was easier when kanji was chosen for me. You also reminded me of a student I had Years ago named Jyoji because the English teacher always called him George. The overlap of Japanese names that sound (at least vaguely) like foreign names is fun.

    0
  • TonetoEdo

    on Nov 13

    @helloalissa One of my sempais has the aspirational name, Jyoji! His parents wanted him to be "international," and he rose to the occasion. He's acquired a General American English accent under the tutelage of missionaries and doesn't miss a beat when talking to English speakers.

    0
  • helloalissa

    on Nov 13

    I knew someone whose daughter's name was sweet - Cocoa. If I remember correctly the way it was written in kanji is 心愛.

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    on Nov 14

    I love my Japanese husband's surname for the meaning behind it. You might remember what it is, but for privacy reasons I don't want to write the pronunciation of it here, but it means "belief in one's country". Other than that, there are a couple of names I like for their sound rather than their meaning, but the only one I can think of right now is "Sousuke" and generally names that end in "suke". I'd never call my own kids that, but I do like the sound of it.

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    on Nov 14

    @TonetoEdo my son has a friend called Kairi, a boy, I quite like that name for a boy!

    0

Awaiting More Answers

6 Answers

What do you most associate with Wakayama?

Today, November 22nd, is Wakayama Prefecture Hometown Birthday. What do you most associate with Wakayama Prefecture? To be honest, I realized in writing about this 'birthday', that I know next to nothing about Wakayama Prefecture. I'm really interested to hear what your image of the prefecture is. Wakayama Prefecture Hometown Birthday post; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/z8X5a-living_wakayama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 22

2 Answers

Your "buy it for life" purchases in Japan

There's a reddit community I really enjoy reading called r/buyitforlife. As the name suggests, people outline purchases that they've made that truly stand the test of time. Kitchen items, clothing, shoes, etc... What have been your "buy it for life" items here?

genkidesu

on Nov 18

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Saitama?

November 14th is Saitama Prefecture Day. I am curious, especially as I live there, what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when I say "Saitama Prefecture"? About Saitama Prefecture Day; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/wmeY2-living_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 16

4 Answers

What is your favorite 'nabe' hot pot?

November 7th is "Nabe no hi" or 'hot pot day'. As I wrote in a post about it, there are many different type of hot pot in Japan. What type of 'nabe' do you like in Japan? The post about 'hot pot day' ; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/G68de-food_wako_shi_saitama

BigfamJapan

on Nov 7