210 Catchy Old Fashioned Japanese Names with Meanings (2023)

Every parent is looking for the right name for their baby. But in doing so, many go for names that aren’t popular for whatever reason. However, this is a costly mistake because you can’t change the name later.

We’ve all heard stories where parents name their child something that the child ends up growing up to hate it. How can you avoid that? Do some research and check out some popular old fashioned japanese baby names to get a better idea.

Kazumi– “harmonious beauty”
Hideko– “splendid child”
Aiko– “love child”
Kiku– “chrysanthemum”
Ainu– “goddess of fertility”
Kazue– “branch”
Aiya– “beautiful silk”
Kichi– “fortunate”
Eri– “blessed prize”
Atsuko– “kind child”
Etsu– “delight”
Isamu– “vigorous”
Hanami– “flowery”
Keomi-“pure”
Ayaka– “colorful flower”

In the past, some parents have named their children after celebrities or fictional characters. Sometimes the parents themselves will choose a name that is not typical. Other times they will choose a name that is not common at all.

Some parents are so overwhelmed with the task of naming their child that they opt for a one-word baby name. And although this has been a popular choice, it’s not always the best decision.

In many cultures around the world, a name is considered an important part of a child’s identity. Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid naming your child the same as their father, which might lead to confusion. So, what should the perfect baby’s name be? Let’s dive into the list of awesome old fashioned japanese baby names.

Kaori– “fragrance”
Humiya– “healthy.
Ayano– “my design”
Hatsumomo– “firstborn peach”
Honoka– “harmony and flower”
Hiro– “abundant”
Kayo– “the beautiful generation”
Kiyomi– “pure beauty”
Doi– “earth”
Hikari– “light”
Cho– “butterfly”
Kazuko– “peaceful child”
Amaterasu– “shining over heaven”
Kaede– “maple leaf”

Old Fashioned Japanese Names

Kazashi– “hair ornament”
Katana– “honorable”
Kimiko– “valuable child”
Ito– “thread”
Chuy– “clear like water”
Hiromi– “abundant beauty”
Asuga– “swift like a wind”
Haruko– “spring child”
Asami– “morning beauty”
Chieko– “wise child”
Katsu– “victorious”
Amaya– “night rain”
Kaiya– “forgiveness”
Danuja– “a ruler”

Popular Old Fashioned Japanese Names

Akiko– “bright”
Hotaru-“blossom”
Aya– “colorful”
Aneko– “older sister”
Jun– “pure and clean”
Ena– “gift from God”
Koge– “scented flower”
Eiko– “long-lived child”
Ayako– “cute baby”
Hachi– “eight”
Kin– “golden”
Kiyoko– “pure child”
Emica– “blessed”
Anz– “apricot”
Kimmi– “righteous”

What are some of the cutest old fashioned japanese baby names?

Airi– “white jasmine”
Kasumi– “mist”
Haruhi– “spring day”
Aika– “love song”
Kirika– “natural beauty”
Harue– “sunshine”
Kimika– “noble”
Hikaru– “ight shining”
Etsuko– “joyful child”
Haia– “nimble”
Akane– “brilliant red”
Chiyo– “thousand generations”
Katsuki– “moon”
Haruna– “spring”

More Baby Names:

Tips for Naming Your Babies

There are millions of baby names out there, and while most parents decide on a name and stick with it for the rest of their lives, there are some who wish the best for their future child, but don’t have a clue how to choose a name. These parents may be confused about why they can’t come up with a name for their baby, or they may have tried several times and have given up on the idea.

If you are considering giving your child a name, there are some things you should know:

1. Pick the name you love, even if it is popular.

It is popular and you love it. Anything else you need to think upon? Nope. Go for it. If you want to give it uniqueness, think of a great middle name.

Here are some popular old fashioned japanese baby names out there:

Aya– “angel who knows magic”
Hekima– “wisdom”
Chinami– “one thousand waves”
Kimi– “beautiful story”
Ayaka– “scented colored flower”
Asa– “born in the morning”
Etsudo– “a joyful child”
Azumi– “safe space”
Hiriko– “generous”
Emiko– “beautiful child”
Hisa– “everlasting”
Hibiki– “echo”
Chiyoko– “thousand generations”

2. Do not skip lovely old fashioned japanese baby names even if they are unique, unusual, and different.

Sometimes, parents will not go for unusual, unique, and different baby names. They consider it weird. Let me tell you that being attractive and thought provoking is the game these days.

How would you like these old fashioned japanese baby names:

Chiaki– “sparkling light”
Japana– “ambitious”
Junko– “obedient child”
Kata– “worthy”
Botan– “long life”
Kagami– “mirror”
Ima– “now”
Ayame– “flower”
Kanon– “blossom”
Kayda– “little dragon”
Kiko– “hope”
Au– “meeting”
Akari– “brightness”
Hina– “sun”
Akahana– “a red bright flower”

3. Be confident if you want to go toward personalized spellings for your baby’s name.

SURE. You should be confident when giving personalized spellings to your baby’s name. However, it is important that you do not make it weird. Adding or removing an alphabet would be enough here.

Try changing these baby names spellings into personalized ones:

Seika

Meaning: “Pure summer”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: The meaning of the name “Seika” is: “Pure summer”.
Spellings and Variations: Seika.
Famous people with this name: Seika Hosokawa.

Setsuko

Meaning: Occasion.
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Setsuko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Occasion.
Spellings and Variations: Sadiki, Stacey, Stacia, Stacy, Stesha, Studs, Stacie.
Famous people with this name: Hara Setsuko.

Toru

Meaning: “Offer”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Toru is primarily a male name of Japanese origin that means Offer.
Spellings and Variations: Teodoro, Tara, Terah, Terra, Terry, Theodora, Theodore, Thor, Thora, Thyra.
Famous people with this name: Toru Arakawa.

Minami

Meaning: “Unkown Meaning”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Minami is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Unkown Meaning.
Spellings and Variations: Manaen, Mae, Maemi, Maha, Mahah, Mai, Maia, Maimun, Manon, May, Maya, Mea, Mei.
Famous people with this name: Minami Ando.

Taki

Meaning: “From Swahili”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Taki is of Japanese origin.
Spellings and Variations: Taki.
Famous people with this name: Taki Inoue.

Megumi

Meaning: “Blessed”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Megumi is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Blessed.
Spellings and Variations: Maxime, Maximo, Maxine, Maxon, Mazikeen, Mazin, McKenna, McKinney.
Famous people with this name: Megumi Fujii.

Marri

Meaning: “Wished-for child”
Origin: English.
Description: Marri is a christian girl name and it is an English originated name with multiple meanings.
Spellings and Variations: Marrie , Mariel , Mariane , Marion.
Famous people with this name: Alauddin Marri.

Naoko

Meaning: “Honest”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Naoko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Honest.
Spellings and Variations: Nixie, Nuncio, Nyako, Nyeki, Nyoka, Nysa, Nyx, Niesha, Nika, Nakia, Nakeisha, Nasya, Nusa.
Famous people with this name: Naoko Fukatsu.

Sen

Meaning: “Lotus Flower”
Origin: Vietnamese.
Description: Sen is primarily a female name of Vietnamese origin that means Lotus Flower.
Spellings and Variations: Sema, Shaina, Shana, Shane, Shani, Shanna, Shannen, Shannon, Shaun, Shauna, Shaunna, Shawn.
Famous people with this name: Amartya Sen.

Tamami

Meaning: “Beautiful Gem”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Tamami is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Beautiful Gem.
Spellings and Variations: Temima, Tenen, Thane, Thanh, Thema, Thina, Thom, Tiana, Tim, Tina, Tino, Toan, Tom, Tommy.
Famous people with this name: Tamami.

Shoko

Meaning: “Bright”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Shoko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Bright.
Spellings and Variations: Sue, Sukey, Suki, Susie, Suzy, Syshe, Sky, Skye, Shae, Sezja, Suchi.
Famous people with this name: Shoko Ishikawa.

Seiren

Meaning: “refined star”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: A Japanese unisex name meaning refined star.
Spellings and Variations: Siren.
Famous people with this name: Seiren.

Mieko

Meaning: “Already Prosperous”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Mieko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Already Prosperous.
Spellings and Variations: Max, Mayes, Meg, Micah, Michiko, Mick, Mickey, Mike, Miki, Misha, Miyoko, Moke, Monica, Moses.
Famous people with this name: Mieko Fukui.

Sachiko

Meaning: “Happiness”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Sachiko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Happiness.
Spellings and Variations: Sai, Sakaye, Saki, Sakiko, Saku, Sasha, Sashi, Saskia, Sassy, Sasuke, Saya, Sayaka, Sayeko, Sayoko, Sea.
Famous people with this name: Sachiko Eto.

Minoru

Meaning: “Truth”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Minoru is primarily a male name of Japanese origin that means Truth.
Spellings and Variations: Mahari, Maire, Mairi, Mara, Mare, Maree, Mari, Maria, Mariah, Marie.
Famous people with this name: Minoru Chiaki.

Suki

Meaning: “Beloved”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Suki is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Beloved.
Spellings and Variations: Suzuki, Sachi, Sage, Saku, Sasha, Saskia, Seiko, Shasa, Shaw, Shay, Shea.
Famous people with this name: Suki Chan.

4. Crossing your favorite old fashioned japanese baby names on the feedback on friends and family members.

Feedback is important. But it does not mean to listen to every other person’s opinion. You will hardly find old fashioned japanese baby names that everybody would like. Therefore, get feedback but still know your choice.

Consider getting feedback on these baby names from your friends and family members:

Kairi– “ocean village”
Hide– “excellent”
Den– “shelter”
Ai– “affection”
Dai– “great”
Fuyuko– “child”
Ami– “friend”
Akira– “intelligent”
Akiara– “bright person”
Akito– “bright”
Hiroko– “rich child”
Hatsu– “firstborn”
Haya– “quick”
Izanami– “female who invites”

5. Do a little research and find what is out there.

Research is important step for the first-time parents as well for those who do not know what sort of names people pick. You will be all good once you do a little internet research. You will also be able to find some great old fashioned japanese baby names that you might consider now or in the future.

Here are some common baby names examples to help you:

Reiko

Meaning: “Beautiful”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Reiko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Beautiful.
Spellings and Variations: Rach, Raisa, Raja, Rasha, Rasia, Razi, Reese, Rex, Reza, Rhys, Rich, Rick, Rico.
Famous people with this name:

Nakano

Meaning: “central field”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Japanese origin and its means central field.
Spellings and Variations: Nakano.
Famous people with this name: Ayako Nakano.

Reiki

Meaning: “Spiritual Healing Practice”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Reiki is primarily a gender-neutral name of Japanese origin that means Japanese Spiritual Healing Practice.
Spellings and Variations: Ryoko, Rach, Raisa, Raja, Rasha, Rasia, Razi, Reese, Rex.
Famous people with this name: Reiki.

Miwa

Meaning: “Beautiful Harmony”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Miwa is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Beautiful Harmony.
Spellings and Variations: Maame, Mae, Maemi, Maha, Mahah, Mahima, Mahin, Mahina, Maho, Mahon.
Famous people with this name: Shirow Miwa.

Tamaki

Meaning: “Jewel”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Tamaki is primarily a male name of Japanese origin that means Jewel.
Spellings and Variations: Tamasha, Tamika, Thomas, Tomas, Tameka, Tangia, Tamas, Thanos, Tanisha, Tannis, Tanika, Tanuja.
Famous people with this name: Tamaki Kunishi.

Nobuko

Meaning: “Faith”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Nobuko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Faith.
Spellings and Variations: Nafasi, Nafisa, Napezi, Napowsa, Nefes, Nobuyuki, Novak.
Famous people with this name: Nobuko .

Masako

Meaning: “Truth”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Masako is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Truth.
Spellings and Variations: Maaike, Mac, Macawi, Mace, Maceo, Macha, Machiko, Macia, Macias.
Famous people with this name: Masako.

Miya

Meaning: “Beautiful”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Miya is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Beautiful.
Spellings and Variations: Manaen, Mae, Maemi, Maha, Mahah, Mai, Maia, Maimun, Manon, May.
Famous people with this name: Miya Tachibana.

Sawako

Meaning: “gauze”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Japanese origin and its means gauze.
Spellings and Variations: Sawako.
Famous people with this name: Sawako Agawa.

Mao

Meaning: “True Center”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Mao is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means True Center.
Spellings and Variations: Mea, Mei, Mia, Mimi, Mina, Miniya, Minna, Minnie, Mio, Miya, Moana.
Famous people with this name: Madame Mao.

Susumu

Meaning: “Advance”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Susumu is primarily a male name of Japanese origin that means Advance.
Spellings and Variations: Sema, Shaina, Shana, Shane, Shani, Shanna, Shannen, Shannon, Shaun, Shauna, Shaunna, Shawn, Shawna.
Famous people with this name: Susumu Akagi.

Rumi

Meaning: “Perch”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Rumi is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Perch.
Spellings and Variations: Ranee, Rania, Reina, Remi, Remy, Ren, Rena, Rene, Renee, Renny, Reyna, Rhiannon, Rhona, Rianna, Rianne.
Famous people with this name: Vitalij Rumiancev.

Takara

Meaning: “Treasure”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Takara is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Treasure.
Spellings and Variations: Tazara, Thatcher, Teigra, Tucker, Tiger, Thackary, Tokori, Toshihiro, Takahiro.
Famous people with this name: Takara.

Ume

Meaning: “Plum”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Ume is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Plum.
Spellings and Variations: Uma, Umay, Umi, Ummi, Una, Uyen, Unna, Umaymah, Uaine, Uwimana.
Famous people with this name: Umm Kulthum.

Mine

Meaning: “Summit”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Mine is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Summit.
Spellings and Variations: Manaen, Mae, Maemi, Maha, Mahah, Mai, Maia, Maimun, Manon, May, Maya, Mea.
Famous people with this name: Atsuko Mine.

6. Consider the names of the subsequent children.

Maybe, you are first time parents and figuring out some cool old fashioned japanese baby name. It is a good idea to consider the names of subsequent children too.

7. Avoid the names with bad meanings.

Baby names with bad meanings can be a cause of embarrassment for you and your kid. Be sure to know the meaning of the name you are gonna pick and be sure it is encouraging and positive.

Here are some of the cool old fashioned japanese baby names with meanings:

Chie– “wisdom”
Ko– “baby”
Kaida– “little dragon”
Fumiko– “intellectual”
Aki– “sparkle”
Aimi– “beautiful love”
Arisu– “noble”
Koemi– “smiling”
Chika– “filled with wisdom”
Emi– “beautiful smile”
Kano– “skill”
Chizue– “durability”
Haru– “springtime”
Kiaria– “great fortune”
Ahmya– “black rain”

8. Pick up good people’s names from history.

The name of person has an effect on his/her personality, it is said. Maybe, that’s the reason why people choose names from history. You can consider this as well. I am sure you have heard about many legends from the past. I bet you’d find some awesome and useable old fashioned japanese baby names if you look into it.

We have a small list of old fashioned japanese baby names here for you to check out and know if you have heard them before:

Shinju

Meaning: “Pearl”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Shinju is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Pearl.
Spellings and Variations: Sanjay, Seamus, Shamus, Shing, Sonnagh, Sancho, Sancha, Sheng, Siyamak, Sonja.
Famous people with this name: Shinji Hosoe.

Rio

Meaning: “River”
Origin: Spanish.
Description: Rio is primarily a gender-neutral name of Spanish origin that means River.
Spellings and Variations: Ray, Rayya, Rea, Rey, Rhea, Rory, Roy, Ryo, Ryohei, Rae, Reya, Reia, Rue, Roho.
Famous people with this name: Rio Ferdinand.

Mayumi

Meaning: “Truth”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Mayumi is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Truth.
Spellings and Variations: Maame, Mae, Maemi, Maha, Mahah, Mahima, Mahin, Mahina, Maho, Mahon.
Famous people with this name: Mayumi Asaka.

Mariko

Meaning: “Real”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Mariko is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Real.
Spellings and Variations: Marci, Marc, Marcia, Marcie, Marco, Marcus, Marcy, Marek, Marge, Margo.
Famous people with this name: Mariko Kaga.

Ran

Meaning: “Orchid”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Ran is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Orchid.
Spellings and Variations: Raanan, Rami, Rumi, Raimi, Rain, Raina, Raine, Ramon, Ramona, Ranae.
Famous people with this name: Ran Dank.

Shino

Meaning: “Stem Of Bamboo”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Shino is primarily a male name of Japanese origin that means Stem Of Bamboo.
Spellings and Variations: Shine, Sania, Sam, Sanne, Sanyu, Saxen, Saxon, Sean, Seanna, Season, Seema.
Famous people with this name: Shino Miyaso.

Mari

Meaning: “Of The Sea”
Origin: Hebrew.
Description: Mari is primarily a female name of Hebrew origin that means Of The Sea.
Spellings and Variations: Maria, Mariah, Marie, Mario, Maro, Marwa, Mary, Maura, Mauro, Maury, Mayer, Mayra.
Famous people with this name: Mari Kiviniemi.

Tomoe

Meaning: “Blessing”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Tomoe is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Blessing.
Spellings and Variations: Tammen, Tam, Tama, Tamma, Tammy, Tana, Tania, Tanya, Tatiana, Teenie.
Famous people with this name: Tomoe Gozen.

Midori

Meaning: “Green”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Midori is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Green.
Spellings and Variations: Madera, Madra, Mahendra, Mandar, Mandara, Mandira, Mantreh, Matar.
Famous people with this name: Midori Francis.

Masumi

Meaning: “Beauty”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Masumi is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Beauty.
Spellings and Variations: Maxine, McKenna, Megan, Messina, Michon, Mignon, Makana, Macon, Maegan, Meghan, Meagan, Meaghan.
Famous people with this name: Masumi Fuchise.

Nori

Meaning: “Belief”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Nori is primarily a gender-neutral name of Japanese origin that means Belief.
Spellings and Variations: Namir, Nara, Nero, Nira, Nora, Nuri, Nuru, Nura, Nairi, Neorah, Noura, Nuria.
Famous people with this name: Nori Morgan.

Tomomi

Meaning: “Friend”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Tomomi is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Friend.
Spellings and Variations: Temima, Tenen, Thane, Thanh, Thema, Thina, Thom, Tiana, Tim, Tina, Tino, Toan, Tom, Tommy, Toni, Tony.
Famous people with this name: Tomomi.

Taka

Meaning: “Dutiful”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: The meaning of the name “Taka” is: “Dutiful”.
Spellings and Variations: Taka.
Famous people with this name: Taka Kato.

Takako

Meaning: “Dutiful”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: Takako is primarily a female name of Japanese origin that means Dutiful.
Spellings and Variations: Tisha, Toki, Toshi, Tasya, Titus, Thetis, Thais, Tausiq, Taja, Tacey, Tosca, Tessica, Tocho, Texas, Tetsu, Tas, Teja.
Famous people with this name: Takako Aonuma.

Mon

Meaning: “Heart”
Origin: Japanese.
Description: he name Mon is of Japanese origin and means “Heart”.
Spellings and Variations: Munn, Mann.
Famous people with this name: Fernando Mon.

9. Make sure the first and second names fit with each other.

This happens rarely that the first and seconds names do not fit and meet each other well. It is, however, something you would not want.

Check out old fashioned japanese baby names and try to make full names that fit each other nicely:

Katsumi– “to overcome”
Hoshi– “star”
Haruki– “brightly”
Kimi– “honorable”
Hatsuko– “firstborn child”
Hayami– “rare beauty”
Hoshiko– “star”
Keina– “prosperity”
Chika– “scattered flowers”
Kiwa– “born on the borderline”
Ayumi– “peaceful or pleasure”
Kishi– “happy and long life”
Hanae– “blossom”
Iwa– “rock”

10. Avoid names with too many syllables.

Baby names with too many syllables are complex. They are hard to remember. They should be avoided.

Check Also:

210 Catchy Old Fashioned Japanese Names with Meanings