Japanese boy names

Most popular names

  1. Ken Strong, Royal Oath #377 in US
  2. Raiden Thunder and lightning spirit #793 in US
  3. Ronin Wave man wandering samurai #1004 in US
  4. Masao correct male righteous #1500 in US
  5. Shoji small second son #1540 in US
  6. Hiroshi Generous #1579 in US
  7. Yoshio respectful man worthy son #1666 in US
  8. Tatsuo dragon man warrior #1736 in US
  9. Kiyoshi Pure #1744 in US
  10. Toshio accomplished, skilled, talented #1773 in US
  11. Hideo Hide or concealing excellence #1801 in US
  12. Kenji Intelligent #1807 in US
  13. Kazuo Peaceful man with harmony #1935 in US
  14. Minoru truth sincerity complete full #2043 in US
  15. Nikko sun's child or offspring #2050 in US
  16. Shigeru excellent fine superior character quality #2292 in US
  17. Takashi Noble, Prosperous #2299 in US
  18. Shigeo male of discipline excellence #2303 in US
  19. Takeo Warrior who takes action #2323 in US
  20. Takeshi Warrior #2359 in US
  21. Mitsuo Three generations of peace #2367 in US
  22. Isamu Courage #2377 in US
  23. Tadashi faithful, loyal, righteous #2429 in US
  24. Teruo wise and shining man #2528 in US
  25. Yukio courageous male child #2561 in US
  26. Masaru Victory or winning spirit #2568 in US
  27. Kenzo strong or healthy first born #2607 in US
  28. Noboru Rise #2620 in US
  29. Masato Ideal or correct person #2639 in US
  30. Kaisen Open ocean water #2737 in US
  31. Haruo clear or serene man #2783 in US
  32. Tsutomu Ambitious or to help #2886 in US
  33. Susumu progression or advancement forward #2969 in US
  34. Ryu dragon mythical creature symbol #2982 in US
  35. Katsumi victorious and superior being #3000 in US
  36. Saburo third son, number three #3028 in US
  37. Torao tiger boy brave #3052 in US
  38. Yutaka abundant or plentiful and rich #3093 in US
  39. Tadao Loyal or correct person #3163 in US
  40. Tamotsu protect and defend well #3168 in US
  41. Tetsuo Iron strong or resilient #3248 in US
  42. Kenta healthy and strong person #3323 in US
  43. Jiro second son male child #3433 in US
  44. Kenichi healthy strong first son #3434 in US
  45. Aizen indigo dye color reference #3459 in US
  46. Nobuo faithful or steadfast man #3496 in US
  47. Sadao blessed man righteous just #3531 in US
  48. Yasuo peaceful calm tranquil man #3547 in US
  49. Masaichi righteous or just first son #3575 in US
  50. Ichiro first son first man #3677 in US

Japanese boys' names are built on kanji, characters that layer meaning into sound in ways English names can't touch. A name like Ken can suggest strength or wisdom depending on which kanji a father picks. Raiden might reference thunder and legend. The tradition runs deep—families have chosen these characters for centuries, each stroke deliberate, each name a small philosophy wrapped up for a child to carry.

You'll find names that honor samurai codes, like Ronin, sitting alongside gentler picks like Masao that point to the seasons or virtue. Shoji speaks to light filtered through paper screens. Some names span generations unchanged; others arrived more recently but follow the same careful logic. This list shows both the meaning and the kanji, so you can see exactly what each name says and why it was chosen.

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