How to Give Your Baby a Japanese Name

Traditionally, Americans look to their heritage and family history for children's names, while the Japanese usually do not name children after themselves or relatives. The steps below will direct you to the meanings and spellings of some Japanese names for children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Choose a name synonymous with longevity. For girls, these include Kishi, Kameko and Sen. Kameko means turtle child, and a turtle symbolizes a long life. Sen is a mythical elf that lives for thousands of years. For boys, Juro means long life.
2. Select a name that means intelligence: Tomo for a girl and Hideaki for a boy.
3. Opt for a name that is bright and happy. For girls, Akiko means bright light, Keiko and Kioko mean happy child, and Mai means brightness.
4. Decide on a name that reflects a peaceful, reserved child. For girls, Rei means polite and Shika means gentle deer. For boys, Hisoka means reserved and Kioshi means quiet.
5. Name your child for prosperity: Mieko, Sakura or Sakae for girls, and Tomi, which means rich, for a boy.
6. Choose a name that symbolizes strength: Mio for a girl and Kaori or Takeshi for a boy.
7. Select a name like Dai or Montaro for a big boy.
8. Name your child for an animal you love. For example, Tori means bird and Shika means gentle deer. Both are used as female names.

Tips & Warnings

• Mi means beauty and is often added to the names of Japanese girls. Examples are Ami, Nami, Satomi and Kumi.
• Ichiro is a name given to the first son in a family. Jiro, Saburo, and Shiro can follow for successive sons.
• Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region - check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.