Japan is the origin country of a vast number of surnames. All Japanese people have carried on their surnames inheriting them from their ancestors. Most households even have a family crest. Today we will introduce the most common and popular names in Japan.

Top 20 Last Names

Unique and Interesting Surnames

While it is rude to laugh at a person's name, there are many unusual and interesting surnames that even Japanese people are surprised by. Here we will introduce some of them.

1. 鬼（Oni）：Oni are famous in Japanese folktales. Oni means “demon” or “devil” and are often the bad guys in fairy tales. This name is sometimes used as a surname as is.
2. 砂糖（Satou）：One of the most common Japanese surnames is “Satou,” written out in Kanji as ”佐藤.” However this “Satou” written out as “砂糖” actually means “Sugar” and is a less common name. So people often wonder if it was miswritten when a name is written out this way.
3. 無敵 (Muteki)：”Muteki” means “invincible” or literally translated to “without enemies” so this name sounds very powerful.
4. 鰻 (Unagi)：Unagi means “eel,” as in the fish. It is a very rare name, with barely 10 people in Japan with this surname, making it quite special.
5. 御手洗 (Mitarai)：Although over 5000 people in Japan have this name, it really is a bizarre surname. Why? Because this is the same way to write “Otearai” which basically means “toilet” or “restroom.”

Popular Name Ranking

Let's take a look at the most popular first names from the past three years found in the "Name Ranking Survey by Birth Year" published by Japanese life insurance companies each year.

Boys Names

2017

• 1st 悠真 (Yuuma)
• 1st 悠人 (Yuuto)
• 1st 陽翔 (Haruto)

2018

• 1st 蓮 (Ren)
• 2nd 湊 (Minato)
• 3rd 大翔 (Hiroto)

2019

• 1st 蓮 (Ren)
• 2nd 陽翔(Haruto)
• 2nd 新 (Arata/Shin)

Girls

2017

• 1st 結菜 (Yuuna)
• 1st 咲良 (Kira)
• 3rd 陽葵 (Himari)

2018

• 1st 結月 (Yuzuki)
• 2nd 結愛 (Yua)
• 3rd 結葉 (Yuuha)

2019

• 1st 凛 (Rin)
• 2nd 陽葵 (Himari)
• 3rd 結愛(Yua) / 紬 (Tsumugi)

The Meaning of Names

Unlike surnames or family names, it is the first names that often reflect the trends of the times. Japanese parents tend to admire the names of celebrities who were popular during that year. Recently, the number of names that make use of Ateji (Kanji that don’t follow the normal reading) is increasing, making names fancy and not very Japanese sounding.

Japanese-style, Traditional, Names with Beautiful Kanji

Conversely then, what are names that sound Japanese and traditional? We will introduce them separately by gender.

Boys

• 剛（Tsuyoshi）：This name is given to bless the child with the strength of mind and body to constantly build themselves up and become someone who can continue to walk steadfastly.
• 翔（Kakeru）：With the vision of a bird flapping its magnificent wings, this name uses a big scale kanji. They are blessed to continue to grow big and strong.
• 隼人（Hayato）：This kanji expresses someone with a sharp and smart image. A name for one who has the agility and courage to respond quickly.
• 拓哉（Takuya）：A name for those who have the strength to actively challenge the unknown and those who create a path towards the future on their own.
• 慎之助（Shinnosuke）：A name given with the hope that he will grow up to be a sincere and considerate person to all those around him.

女子

• 葵（Aoi）：A name given with the desire for them to grow up to be a calm and elegant person.
• 杏（An）：Meaning “apricot,” a delicious fruit with beautiful flowers. This name is given blessing them to become beautiful both inside and out.
• 織絵（Orie）：A name given to have them grow to be someone kind and considerate, and also become a meticulous and careful thinker.
• 琴奈（Kotona）：A name with the image of the beautiful sound of a Japanese koto instrument, hoping they grow to be graceful and one with a sense of tradition.
• 紗千子（Sachiko）：A kanji that is elegant, expressing strength, suppleness, and delicate sensibility, blessing them to live their lives flexibly.

Did you learn a lot about Japanese names? Did you see any names you recognized? If you have any questions about Japanese names, please leave a comment!