Nickname help!
We want to name our baby Penelope but we can’t decide on a nickname? Help!
Whether you’re giving a nod to Eastern culture or honoring your own heritage, our list of Japanese boy names will inspire you for when the time comes. Many Japanese male names are linked to the elements or familial ties such as ‘first son’.
Choose from brave warriors to gentle souls – with simple spellings and profound meanings, these Japanese names for boys suit every kind of family.
In this article: 📝
Popular Japanese boy names range from cute and diminutive to impressive or even regal in context. For example, you may choose Chibi, meaning ‘short person or small child’, or you might honor your little prince from the start with Takehiko.
The most popular Japanese boy names are:
As we can see above, the most common Japanese male names take their influences from the weather and the intrinsic qualities of a person. Let’s not forget that each name can have multiple meanings. Haruto also means ‘soar to heavens’, for example.
It’s also important to remember that Japanese boys’ names can be pronounced differently, depending on the script they are written in. Names can be written in kanji, hiragana, or katakana. Most often, they are written in kanji, whose characters are actually Chinese in origin, but Japanese in pronunciation.
This gives parents free rein to be creative – perhaps even being inspired by the signs of the zodiac. The Japanese Zodiac is very similar to the Chinese, featuring the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. So you may even want to name your little one after a ‘clever tiger’ – otherwise known as the second most popular Japanese baby boy’s name: Riku.
Not sure you want your little boy to grow into a brave warrior? Don’t sweat it. There are plenty of cute Japanese boy names that will make sure your son is always your baby – no matter what his age. Try one of these softer styles if you want to move away from military or weather-inspired baby names:
If you’re looking for something unique, you could try a unisex Japanese name instead. Many unisex names in Japanese take their inspiration from nature, for example:
Remember, when looking at Japanese boy names and meanings, there could be many variants depending on the script or other cultural influences. Look for something that is special to you – you may be inspired by your surroundings, or even the weather on the day he’s born!
If you’re in a hurry, thumb through some more Japanese boys’ names here to find the perfect moniker for your son:
Need even more ideas for baby boys’ names? Join Peanut and ask the community!
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