Japan is a beautiful country with a unique blend of linguistic elegance, historical depth, and philosophical richness in naming newborns. A Japanese name conveys aspirations, meaning, and a past-life connection. Mostly, they are made of kanji characters expressing parents’ hopes for their little ones.
Every kanji character in Japan is known for their sounds and the meaning they give to a name. Japanese names can be inspired either by nature or by virtues. While many suggestions are available, only some stand distinctively apart with their uniqueness and perceived strangeness. Here is a collection of some of the unique Japanese names for boys, girls and unisex.
Unique Japanese Names for Boys
Your newborn boy is your precious one. Choosing a Japanese name for him should be equally precious as well. Japanese boy names signify a great respect for the traditional and cultural heritage that the country has earned so far. You can combine them with several kanji characters to give you the best cute names you might not even have come across.
To help inspire your kid, we have consolidated some of the strangest and unique Japanese names for boys, offering a mini-lesson on the customs and traditions here. There are a few inspired by nature, too! Pick the one that defines your lil one in the best and unique way.
Ren (蓮)
- Kanji: 蓮 (lotus)
- Meaning: “Lotus flower”
- Pronunciation: Rehn
Haruto (陽翔)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Flying sun”
- Pronunciation: Hah-roo-toh
Sota (奏太)
- Kanji: 奏 (play music) + 太 (big)
- Meaning: “Big music play”
- Pronunciation: Soh-tah
Kaito (海斗)
- Kanji: 海 (sea) + 斗 (Big Dipper/star)
- Meaning: “Sea star”
- Pronunciation: Kai-toh
Riku (陸)
- Kanji: 陸 (land)
- Meaning: “Land”
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo
Yuto (悠斗)
- Kanji: 悠 (distant) + 斗 (Big Dipper/star)
- Meaning: “Distant star”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-toh
Takumi (匠)
- Kanji: 匠 (artisan, craftsman)
- Meaning: “Craftsman”
- Pronunciation: Tah-koo-mee
Daiki (大輝)
- Kanji: 大 (big) + 輝 (radiance, shine)
- Meaning: “Big shine”
- Pronunciation: Dai-kee
Kenta (健太)
- Kanji: 健 (healthy) + 太 (big)
- Meaning: “Healthy and big”
- Pronunciation: Ken-tah
Sho (翔)
- Kanji: 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Fly”
- Pronunciation: Shoh
Yuki (勇気)
- Kanji: 勇 (brave) + 気 (spirit)
- Meaning: “Brave spirit”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-kee
Tsubasa (翼)
- Kanji: 翼 (wings)
- Meaning: “Wings”
- Pronunciation: Tsoo-bah-sah
Issei (一誠)
- Kanji: 一 (one) + 誠 (sincerity)
- Meaning: “One sincerity”
- Pronunciation: Ee-say
Seiji (誠司)
- Kanji: 誠 (sincerity) + 司 (rule, govern)
- Meaning: “Sincere ruler”
- Pronunciation: Say-jee
Aoi (蒼一)
- Kanji: 蒼 (blue) + 一 (one)
- Meaning: “Blue one”
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-ee
Takeru (猛)
- Kanji: 猛 (fierce)
- Meaning: “Fierce”
- Pronunciation: Tah-keh-roo
Kiyoshi (清志)
- Kanji: 清 (pure) + 志 (will, intention)
- Meaning: “Pure intention”
- Pronunciation: Kee-yoh-shee
Haru (陽)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun)
- Meaning: “Sun”
- Pronunciation: Hah-roo
Satoshi (智)
- Kanji: 智 (wisdom)
- Meaning: “Wisdom”
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh-shee
Ryota (涼太)
- Kanji: 涼 (cool, refreshing) + 太 (big)
- Meaning: “Refreshing big”
- Pronunciation: Ryoh-tah
Eito (栄翔)
- Kanji: 栄 (prosperity) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Flying prosperity”
- Pronunciation: Ay-toh
Yuji (裕司)
- Kanji: 裕 (abundant) + 司 (rule, govern)
- Meaning: “Abundant ruler”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-jee
Fuma (風真)
- Kanji: 風 (wind) + 真 (truth)
- Meaning: “True wind”
- Pronunciation: Foo-mah
Shinji (慎司)
- Kanji: 慎 (caution, discretion) + 司 (rule, govern)
- Meaning: “Cautious ruler”
- Pronunciation: Shin-jee
Taichi (大智)
- Kanji: 大 (big) + 智 (wisdom)
- Meaning: “Big wisdom”
- Pronunciation: Tie-chee
Kiyoto (清人)
- Kanji: 清 (pure) + 人 (person)
Meaning: “Pure person”
Pronunciation: Kee-yoh-toh
Nobu (信)
- Kanji: 信 (faith, trust)
- Meaning: “Trust”
- Pronunciation: Noh-boo
Genki (元気)
- Kanji: 元 (origin) + 気 (spirit)
- Meaning: “Vigorous spirit”
- Pronunciation: Gen-kee
Haruki (陽輝)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun) + 輝 (radiance, shine)
- Meaning: “Shining sun”
- Pronunciation: Hah-roo-kee
Kota (晃太)
- Kanji: 晃 (bright) + 太 (big)
- Meaning: “Bright and big”
- Pronunciation: Koh-tah
Daigo (大悟)
- Kanji: 大 (big) + 悟 (enlightenment)
- Meaning: “Great enlightenment”
- Pronunciation: Dai-goh
Ryo (涼)
- Kanji: 涼 (cool, refreshing)
- Meaning: “Cool”
- Pronunciation: Ryoh
Takahiro (高広)
- Kanji: 高 (tall) + 広 (wide)
- Meaning: “Tall and wide”
- Pronunciation: Tah-kah-hee-roh
Keiji (圭司)
- Kanji: 圭 (precious stone) + 司 (rule, govern)
- Meaning: “Precious ruler”
- Pronunciation: Kay-jee
Masato (正人)
- Kanji: 正 (correct) + 人 (person)
- Meaning: “Correct person”
- Pronunciation: Mah-sah-toh
Unique Japanese Names for Girls
While we’ve discussed some unique and funky names for boys, we are not behind with some trending ones for your princess, too! Like the boys, the Japanese names for your baby girls are inspired by nature, tradition, culture, modernity, etc.
You can pick one or create your own moniker by combining them with our special kanji characters. Isn’t it a fun and engaging activity to teach your little world the richness and depth of Japanese customs and traditions via her name? We’ve collated the best assortments to make your princess worth her existence way beyond. Check out below for some strangest and unique Japanese names for girls.
Himari (陽葵)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun) + 葵 (hollyhock flower)
- Meaning: “Sunflower”
- Pronunciation: Hee-mah-ree
Yui (結衣)
- Kanji: 結 (tie, bind) + 衣 (clothes)
- Meaning: “Tie with clothing” or “Gentle, graceful”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-ee
Aoi (葵)
- Kanji: 葵 (hollyhock flower)
- Meaning: “Hollyhock flower”
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-ee
Sakura (桜)
- Kanji: 桜 (cherry blossom)
- Meaning: “Cherry blossom”
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah
Miyu (美優)
- Kanji: 美 (beauty) + 優 (gentleness, superiority)
- Meaning: “Beautiful gentleness”
- Pronunciation: Mee-yoo
Riko (莉子)
- Kanji: 莉 (jasmine) + 子 (child)
- Meaning: “Jasmine child”
- Pronunciation: Ree-koh
Nao (直)
- Kanji: 直 (honesty, upright)
- Meaning: “Honesty”
- Pronunciation: Nah-oh
Emi (恵美)
- Kanji: 恵 (blessing) + 美 (beauty)
- Meaning: “Blessed beauty”
- Pronunciation: Eh-mee
Kanna (神奈)
- Kanji: 神 (god, divine) + 奈 (name of a place)
- Meaning: “Divine grace”
- Pronunciation: Kah-nah
Saki (咲)
- Kanji: 咲 (bloom)
- Meaning: “Bloom”
- Pronunciation: Sah-kee
Haruka (遥)
- Kanji: 遥 (distant, far)
- Meaning: “Distant”
- Pronunciation: Hah-roo-kah
Hinata (日向)
- Kanji: 日 (sun) + 向 (facing, direction)
- Meaning: “Facing the sun”
- Pronunciation: Hee-nah-tah
Aika (愛花)
- Kanji: 愛 (love) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Love flower”
- Pronunciation: Ah-ee-kah
Miku (美空)
- Kanji: 美 (beauty) + 空 (sky)
- Meaning: “Beautiful sky”
- Pronunciation: Mee-koo
Nana (七)
- Kanji: 七 (seven)
- Meaning: “Seven”
- Pronunciation: Nah-nah
Rin (凛)
- Kanji: 凛 (dignified)
- Meaning: “Dignified, severe”
- Pronunciation: Rin
Noa (乃愛)
- Kanji: 乃 (from) + 愛 (love)
- Meaning: “From love”
- Pronunciation: No-ah
Mei (芽衣)
- Kanji: 芽 (bud, sprout) + 衣 (clothes)
- Meaning: “Sprouting clothes” or “New growth”
- Pronunciation: Meh-ee
Yuina (結菜)
- Kanji: 結 (tie, bind) + 菜 (greens, vegetables)
- Meaning: “Binding vegetables” or “Connected beauty”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-ee-nah
Fuyuka (冬香)
- Kanji: 冬 (winter) + 香 (fragrance)
- Meaning: “Winter fragrance”
- Pronunciation: Foo-yoo-kah
Mio (美桜)
- Kanji: 美 (beauty) + 桜 (cherry blossom)
- Meaning: “Beautiful cherry blossom”
- Pronunciation: Mee-oh
Aya (彩)
- Kanji: 彩 (color, design)
- Meaning: “Colorful”
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah
Sayaka (沙耶香)
- Kanji: 沙 (sand) + 耶 (particle) + 香 (fragrance)
- Meaning: “Fragrant sand”
- Pronunciation: Sah-yah-kah
Kokoro (心)
- Kanji: 心 (heart, mind)
- Meaning: “Heart, spirit”
- Pronunciation: Koh-koh-roh
Hina (雛)
- Kanji: 雛 (chick, doll)
- Meaning: “Chick” or “Doll”
- Pronunciation: Hee-nah
Nanami (七海)
- Kanji: 七 (seven) + 海 (sea)
- Meaning: “Seven seas”
- Pronunciation: Nah-nah-mee
Ikumi (育美)
- Kanji: 育 (nurture, grow) + 美 (beauty)
- Meaning: “Growing beauty”
- Pronunciation: Ee-koo-mee
Mao (真央)
- Kanji: 真 (truth, reality) + 央 (center)
- Meaning: “True center”
- Pronunciation: Mah-oh
Kokona (心菜)
- Kanji: 心 (heart) + 菜 (greens, vegetables)
- Meaning: “Heart of greens”
- Pronunciation: Koh-koh-nah
Yume (夢)
- Kanji: 夢 (dream)
- Meaning: “Dream”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-meh
Rika (莉花)
- Kanji: 莉 (jasmine) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Jasmine flower”
- Pronunciation: Ree-kah
Tsubomi (蕾)
- Kanji: 蕾 (bud)
- Meaning: “Flower bud”
- Pronunciation: Tsoo-boh-mee
Yurina (百合菜)
- Kanji: 百 (hundred) + 合 (fit) + 菜 (greens, vegetables)
- Meaning: “Lily greens”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-ree-nah
Akari (明莉)
- Kanji: 明 (bright) + 莉 (jasmine)
- Meaning: “Bright jasmine”
- Pronunciation: Ah-kah-ree
Karin (花凛)
- Kanji: 花 (flower) + 凛 (dignified)
- Meaning: “Dignified flower”
- Pronunciation: Kah-rin
Unique Japanese Unisex Names
People today love to adopt a strange and unique Japanese unisex name. There are quite a few benefits to owning a unisex name. The first and foremost one is gender. Unisex names boost a sense of inclusivity for the kids born as transgender people who are part of society.
Nevertheless, the unisex names are the best picks for modern parents for levelling their playfield. This gives the liberty to their kids of owing a wider berth to define their persona as they grow and adapt to modernity.
Akae (朱絵)
- Kanji: 朱 (vermillion) + 絵 (painting, picture)
- Meaning: “Vermillion picture”
- Pronunciation: Ah-kah-eh
Ren (蓮)
- Kanji: 蓮 (lotus)
- Meaning: “Lotus flower”
- Pronunciation: Rehn
Sora (空)
- Kanji: 空 (sky)
- Meaning: “Sky”
- Pronunciation: Soh-rah
Haruki (陽輝)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun) + 輝 (radiance, shine)
- Meaning: “Shining sun”
- Pronunciation: Hah-roo-kee
Kai (海)
- Kanji: 海 (sea)
- Meaning: “Sea”
- Pronunciation: Kai
Akira (明)
- Kanji: 明 (bright, clear)
- Meaning: “Bright”
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-rah
Izumi (泉)
- Kanji: 泉 (spring, fountain)
- Meaning: “Spring” or “Fountain”
- Pronunciation: Ee-zoo-mee
Haru (陽)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun)
- Meaning: “Sun”
- Pronunciation: Hah-roo
Yuki (雪)
- Kanji: 雪 (snow)
- Meaning: “Snow”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-kee
Kaito (海翔)
- Kanji: 海 (sea) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Flying over the sea”
- Pronunciation: Kai-toh
Riku (陸)
- Kanji: 陸 (land)
- Meaning: “Land”
- Pronunciation: Ree-koo
Nao (直)
- Kanji: 直 (honesty, upright)
- Meaning: “Honesty”
- Pronunciation: Nah-oh
Mizuki (瑞樹)
- Kanji: 瑞 (auspicious, lucky) + 樹 (tree)
- Meaning: “Auspicious tree”
- Pronunciation: Mee-zoo-kee
Akemi (明美)
- Kanji: 明 (bright) + 美 (beauty)
- Meaning: “Bright beauty”
- Pronunciation: Ah-keh-mee
Hinata (日向)
- Kanji: 日 (sun) + 向 (facing, direction)
- Meaning: “Facing the sun”
- Pronunciation: Hee-nah-tah
Kouki (光輝)
- Kanji: 光 (light) + 輝 (radiance, shine)
- Meaning: “Radiant light”
- Pronunciation: Koh-kee
Mako (真子)
- Kanji: 真 (true) + 子 (child)
- Meaning: “True child”
- Pronunciation: Mah-koh
Natsu (夏)
- Kanji: 夏 (summer)
- Meaning: “Summer”
- Pronunciation: Nah-tsoo
Tomo (智)
- Kanji: 智 (wisdom)
- Meaning: “Wisdom”
- Pronunciation: Toh-moh
Yuuki (勇気)
- Kanji: 勇 (brave) + 気 (spirit)
- Meaning: “Brave spirit”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-kee
Chika (千花)
- Kanji: 千 (thousand) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Thousand flowers”
- Pronunciation: Chee-kah
Taiki (大輝)
- Kanji: 大 (big) + 輝 (radiance, shine)
- Meaning: “Big shine”
- Pronunciation: Tie-kee
Saki (咲)
- Kanji: 咲 (bloom)
- Meaning: “Bloom”
- Pronunciation: Sah-kee
Ryo (涼)
- Kanji: 涼 (cool, refreshing)
- Meaning: “Cool”
- Pronunciation: Ryoh
Kei (恵)
- Kanji: 恵 (blessing, grace)
- Meaning: “Blessing”
- Pronunciation: Kay
Shinobu (忍)
- Kanji: 忍 (endurance, patience)
- Meaning: “Endurance, patience”
- Pronunciation: Shee-no-boo
Nico (二子)
- Kanji: 二 (two) + 子 (child)
- Meaning: “Second child”
- Pronunciation: Nee-koh
Kohaku (琥珀)
- Kanji: 琥 (amber) + 珀 (crystal)
- Meaning: “Amber crystal”
- Pronunciation: Koh-hah-koo
Yume (夢)
- Kanji: 夢 (dream)
- Meaning: “Dream”
- Pronunciation: Yoo-meh
Hoshi (星)
- Kanji: 星 (star)
- Meaning: “Star”
- Pronunciation: Hoh-shee
Izayoi (十六夜)
- Kanji: 十六 (sixteen) + 夜 (night)
- Meaning: “Sixteen night” (the 16th night of the lunar month)
- Pronunciation: Ee-zah-yoh-ee
Conclusion
The cultural fabric in Japan is quite evident in these strangest and unique Japanese names. Every name has a past story to tell and a character to reflect. We are here to assist you with some of the strange and unique Japanese names for the newest members of your family. Do let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
