Nowadays, the craze for Japanese culture is at its peak, largely thanks to the anime industry. People love to take inspiration for their names from their favorite anime characters. If you’re one of those who are searching for the most unique and unusual Japanese names, then this naming article is perfect for you.
The popularity of anime shows and characters is growing day by day, which is one of the reasons why many people want to name themselves after characters they admire. Even as an anime fan myself, I love choosing gaming names based on my favorite Japanese anime characters. It makes me feel connected to them in a special way.
After our research, we realized how challenging it can be to find truly unique and strange name online. That’s why we created this comprehensive list of 110+ Japanese names, complete with their meanings, suitable for both genders.
Strangest and Unique Japanese Names for boys
Are you a fan of iconic anime characters like Luffy, Naruto Uzumaki, Levi Ackerman, Tanjiro, Sasuke, Gojo, or Eren Yeager? If you’re truly inspired by these beloved characters and are on the hunt for the strangest and unique Japanese names for yourself, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created a list of names that will not disappoint you.
Even if you’re looking for non-anime-inspired Japanese names, this list has you covered. We’ve done our best to include a variety of names that can be used for different purposes, whether it’s for gaming, novels, or fictional stories.
Kiryū (鬼竜)
- Kanji: 鬼 (demon) + 竜 (dragon)
- Meaning: “Demon dragon”
- Pronunciation: KEE-ryoo
Raizen (雷禅)
- Kanji: 雷 (thunder) + 禅 (zen)
- Meaning: “Thunder zen”
- Pronunciation: RYE-zen
Tsubasa (翼)
- Kanji: 翼 (wings)
- Meaning: “Wings”
- Pronunciation: TSOO-bah-sah
Seiryu (青竜)
- Kanji: 青 (blue) + 竜 (dragon)
- Meaning: “Blue dragon”
- Pronunciation: SAY-ryoo
Fujin (風神)
- Kanji: 風 (wind) + 神 (god)
- Meaning: “Wind god”
- Pronunciation: FOO-jeen
Raiden (雷電)
- Kanji: 雷 (thunder) + 電 (lightning)
- Meaning: “Thunder and lightning”
- Pronunciation: RYE-den
Kazuto (一翔)
- Kanji: 一 (one) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “One who flies”
- Pronunciation: KAH-zoo-toh
Shiro (四郎)
- Kanji: 四 (four) + 郎 (son)
- Meaning: “Fourth son”
- Pronunciation: SHEE-roh
Souta (颯太)
- Kanji: 颯 (swift wind) + 太 (big)
- Meaning: “Swift wind, big”
- Pronunciation: SOH-tah
Aikou (愛光)
- Kanji: 愛 (love) + 光 (light)
- Meaning: “Love and light”
- Pronunciation: AI-koh
Renji (蓮司)
- Kanji: 蓮 (lotus) + 司 (priest)
- Meaning: “Lotus and priest”
- Pronunciation: REN-jee
Riku (陸)
- Kanji: 陸 (land)
- Meaning: “Land”
- Pronunciation: REE-koo
Issei (一誠)
- Kanji: 一 (one) + 誠 (sincerity)
- Meaning: “First, sincere”
- Pronunciation: EE-say
Tatsuya (竜也)
- Kanji: 竜 (dragon) + 也 (also)
- Meaning: “Dragon and also”
- Pronunciation: TAH-tsoo-yah
Haruto (陽翔)
- Kanji: 陽 (sunlight) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Sunlight, flying”
- Pronunciation: HAH-roo-toh
Yuto (優翔)
- Kanji: 優 (gentle) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Gentle, flying”
- Pronunciation: YOO-toh
Shou (翔)
- Kanji: 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Fly”
- Pronunciation: SHOW
Kaito (海翔)
- Kanji: 海 (ocean) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Ocean, big dipper”
- Pronunciation: KYE-toh
Haruki (陽輝)
- Kanji: 陽 (sunlight) + 輝 (radiance)
- Meaning: “Sunlight, radiance”
- Pronunciation: HAH-roo-kee
Ryouma (龍馬)
- Kanji: 龍 (dragon) + 馬 (horse)
- Meaning: “Dragon, horse”
- Pronunciation: RYOH-mah
Takumi (匠)
- Kanji: 匠 (artisan)
- Meaning: “Artisan”
- Pronunciation: TAH-koo-mee
Yuji (雄二)
- Kanji: 雄 (heroic) + 二 (second)
- Meaning: “Heroic, second”
- Pronunciation: YOO-jee
Hiroki (浩樹)
- Kanji: 浩 (generosity) + 樹 (tree)
- Meaning: “Generosity, tree”
- Pronunciation: HEE-roh-kee
Akira (明)
- Kanji: 明 (bright, clear)
- Meaning: “Bright, clear”
- Pronunciation: AH-kee-rah
Shinji (真司)
- Kanji: 真 (true) + 司 (priest)
- Meaning: “True, priest”
- Pronunciation: SHEEN-jee
Jiro (二郎)
- Kanji: 二 (second) + 郎 (son)
- Meaning: “Second son”
- Pronunciation: JEE-roh
Shoji (勝司)
- Kanji: 勝 (victory) + 司 (priest)
- Meaning: “Victory, priest”
- Pronunciation: SHOH-jee
Shinjiro (真次郎)
- Kanji: 真 (true) + 次郎 (second son)
- Meaning: “True, second son”
- Pronunciation: SHEEN-jee-roh
Kouji (幸司)
- Kanji: 幸 (happiness) + 司 (priest)
- Meaning: “Happiness, priest”
- Pronunciation: KOH-jee
Keiji (圭司)
- Kanji: 圭 (gem) + 司 (priest)
- Meaning: “Gem, priest”
- Pronunciation: KAY-jee
Satoru (悟)
- Kanji: 悟 (enlightenment)
- Meaning: “Enlightenment”
- Pronunciation: SAH-toh-roo
Yuuto (優翔)
- Kanji: 優 (gentle) + 翔 (fly)
- Meaning: “Gentle, fly”
- Pronunciation: YOO-toh
Ichiro (一郎)
- Kanji: 一 (one) + 郎 (son)
- Meaning: “First son”
- Pronunciation: EE-chee-roh
Yuki (雪)
- Kanji: 雪 (snow)
- Meaning: “Snow”
- Pronunciation: YOO-kee
Kouki (光輝)
- Kanji: 光 (light) + 輝 (radiance)
- Meaning: “Light, radiance”
- Pronunciation: KOH-kee
Strangest and Unique Japanese Names for Girls
From a girl’s perspective, I’m sure many of you are obsessed with amazing anime characters like Mikasa Ackerman, Hinata Hyuga, Nezuko Kamado, Rukia Kuchiki, Sakura Haruno, and Kaguya Shinomiya from Love is War. If these characters inspire you, then our list is sure to make you happy with its suggestions!
We’ve carefully created this list of girly names after our deep research, ensuring that all the names are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, whether it’s for a gaming character or an Instagram username.
Rinmei (凛明)
- Kanji: 凛 (dignified) + 明 (bright)
- Meaning: “Dignified brightness”
- Pronunciation: RIN-may
Souten (蒼天)
- Kanji: 蒼 (blue) + 天 (sky)
- Meaning: “Blue sky”
- Pronunciation: SOH-ten
Ayame (菖蒲)
- Kanji: 菖蒲 (iris flower)
- Meaning: “Iris”
- Pronunciation: AH-yah-meh
Kagura (神楽)
- Kanji: 神 (god) + 楽 (music)
- Meaning: “Sacred music and dance”
- Pronunciation: KAH-groo-rah
Mizuki (美月)
- Kanji: 美 (beauty) + 月 (moon)
- Meaning: “Beautiful moon”
- Pronunciation: MEE-zoo-kee
Haruna (春菜)
- Kanji: 春 (spring) + 菜 (greens)
- Meaning: “Spring greens”
- Pronunciation: HAH-roo-nah
Sakuya (咲耶)
- Kanji: 咲 (blossom) + 耶 (question particle, also used in names)
- Meaning: “Blossoming flower”
- Pronunciation: SAH-koo-yah
Yuzuki (柚月)
- Kanji: 柚 (citron) + 月 (moon)
- Meaning: “Citron moon”
- Pronunciation: YOO-zoo-kee
Himari (陽葵)
- Kanji: 陽 (sun) + 葵 (hollyhock)
- Meaning: “Sun hollyhock”
- Pronunciation: HEE-mah-ree
Nozomi (望)
- Kanji: 望 (hope)
- Meaning: “Hope”
- Pronunciation: NOH-zoh-mee
Natsumi (夏美)
- Kanji: 夏 (summer) + 美 (beauty)
- Meaning: “Summer beauty”
- Pronunciation: NAH-tsoo-mee
Mikasa (三笠)
- Kanji: 三 (three) + 笠 (umbrella/hat)
- Meaning: “Three umbrellas”
- Pronunciation: MEE-kah-sah
Rin (凛)
- Kanji: 凛 (cold, dignified)
- Meaning: “Dignified”
- Pronunciation: RIN
Eri (絵里)
- Kanji: 絵 (picture) + 里 (village)
- Meaning: “Picture village”
- Pronunciation: EH-ree
Nao (直)
- Kanji: 直 (honest)
- Meaning: “Honest”
- Pronunciation: NAH-oh
Kanon (花音)
- Kanji: 花 (flower) + 音 (sound)
- Meaning: “Flower sound”
- Pronunciation: KAH-nohn
Miyu (美優)
- Kanji: 美 (beauty) + 優 (gentle)
- Meaning: “Gentle beauty”
- Pronunciation: MEE-yoo
Himeka (姫花)
- Kanji: 姫 (princess) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Princess flower”
- Pronunciation: HEE-meh-kah
Shion (紫苑)
- Kanji: 紫 (purple) + 苑 (garden)
- Meaning: “Purple garden”
- Pronunciation: SHEE-ohn
Emi (恵美)
- Kanji: 恵 (blessing) + 美 (beauty)
- Meaning: “Blessed beauty”
- Pronunciation: EH-mee
Airi (愛莉)
- Kanji: 愛 (love) + 莉 (jasmine)
- Meaning: “Lovely jasmine”
- Pronunciation: EYE-ree
Kaede (楓)
- Kanji: 楓 (maple tree)
- Meaning: “Maple”
- Pronunciation: KAH-eh-deh
Suzume (雀)
- Kanji: 雀 (sparrow)
- Meaning: “Sparrow”
- Pronunciation: SOO-zoo-meh
Hotaru (蛍)
- Kanji: 蛍 (firefly)
- Meaning: “Firefly”
- Pronunciation: HOH-tah-roo
Kohana (小花)
- Kanji: 小 (small) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Small flower”
- Pronunciation: KOH-hah-nah
Yumeko (夢子)
- Kanji: 夢 (dream) + 子 (child)
- Meaning: “Child of dreams”
- Pronunciation: YOO-meh-koh
Hikari (光)
- Kanji: 光 (light)
- Meaning: “Light”
- Pronunciation: HEE-kah-ree
Amane (天音)
- Kanji: 天 (heaven) + 音 (sound)
- Meaning: “Heavenly sound”
- Pronunciation: AH-mah-neh
Rika (梨花)
- Kanji: 梨 (pear) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Pear blossom”
- Pronunciation: REE-kah
Ichika (一花)
- Kanji: 一 (one) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “One flower”
- Pronunciation: EE-chee-kah
Asuka (明日香)
- Kanji: 明日 (tomorrow) + 香 (fragrance)
- Meaning: “Fragrance of tomorrow”
- Pronunciation: AH-soo-kah
Mai (舞)
- Kanji: 舞 (dance)
- Meaning: “Dance”
- Pronunciation: MYE
Reika (麗花)
- Kanji: 麗 (beautiful) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Beautiful flower”
- Pronunciation: RAY-kah
Sakura (桜)
- Kanji: 桜 (cherry blossom)
- Meaning: “Cherry blossom”
- Pronunciation: SAH-koo-rah
Chiharu (千春)
- Kanji: 千 (thousand) + 春 (spring)
- Meaning: “Thousand springs”
- Pronunciation: CHEE-hah-roo
Strangest and Unique Japanese Unisex Names
Now, let’s move on to our unisex names list, the type of names that can be used for both males and females. Unisex names are incredibly versatile, and people from both genders love choosing names from this category. That’s why I decided to focus on it and created some of the strangest and most unique unisex Japanese names for everyone searching for the perfect fit.
As a name consultant, I’ve included the meaning and pronunciation of each name to help you understand the deeper significance behind every name and to ensure you can pronounce it correctly.
Ichiru (一瑠)
- Kanji: 一 (one) + 瑠 (gem)
- Meaning: “One gem”
- Pronunciation: EE-chee-roo
Kazane (風音)
- Kanji: 風 (wind) + 音 (sound)
- Meaning: “Sound of wind”
- Pronunciation: KAH-zah-neh
Nagisa (渚)
- Kanji: 渚 (shore)
- Meaning: “Seashore”
- Pronunciation: NAH-gee-sah
Tsukasa (司)
- Kanji: 司 (administrator)
- Meaning: “Administrator”
- Pronunciation: TSOO-kah-sah
Minamo (水面)
- Kanji: 水 (water) + 面 (surface)
- Meaning: “Water’s surface”
- Pronunciation: MEE-nah-moh
Arata (新多)
- Kanji: 新 (new) + 多 (many)
- Meaning: “New abundance”
- Pronunciation: AH-rah-tah
Yoruka (夜風)
- Kanji: 夜 (night) + 風 (wind)
- Meaning: “Night breeze”
- Pronunciation: YOH-roo-kah
Sorami (空美)
- Kanji: 空 (sky) + 美 (beauty)
- Meaning: “Beautiful sky”
- Pronunciation: SOH-rah-mee
Nagi (凪)
- Kanji: 凪 (calm waters)
- Meaning: “Calm”
- Pronunciation: NAH-gee
Akegumo (明雲)
- Kanji: 明 (bright) + 雲 (cloud)
- Meaning: “Bright cloud”
- Pronunciation: AH-keh-goo-moh
Suzuka (涼風)
- Kanji: 涼 (cool) + 風 (wind)
- Meaning: “Cool wind”
- Pronunciation: SOO-zoo-kah
Tsubomi (蕾)
- Kanji: 蕾 (flower bud)
- Meaning: “Flower bud”
- Pronunciation: TSOO-boh-mee
Hozuki (鬼灯)
- Kanji: 鬼 (demon) + 灯 (light)
- Meaning: “Demon lantern”
- Pronunciation: HOH-zoo-kee
Kiyora (清良)
- Kanji: 清 (pure) + 良 (good)
- Meaning: “Pure goodness”
- Pronunciation: KEE-yoh-rah
Yoru (夜)
- Kanji: 夜 (night)
- Meaning: “Night”
- Pronunciation: YOH-roo
Amagi (天城)
- Kanji: 天 (heaven) + 城 (castle)
- Meaning: “Heavenly castle”
- Pronunciation: AH-mah-gee
Rikka (立花)
- Kanji: 立 (stand) + 花 (flower)
- Meaning: “Standing flower”
- Pronunciation: REEK-kah
Noa (乃愛)
- Kanji: 乃 (from) + 愛 (love)
- Meaning: “Love from within”
- Pronunciation: NOH-ah
Kisora (希空)
- Kanji: 希 (hope) + 空 (sky)
- Meaning: “Hopeful sky”
- Pronunciation: KEE-soh-rah
Misora (美空)
- Kanji: 美 (beauty) + 空 (sky)
- Meaning: “Beautiful sky”
- Pronunciation: MEE-soh-rah
Seina (星奈)
- Kanji: 星 (star) + 奈 (apple tree)
- Meaning: “Star apple”
- Pronunciation: SAY-nah
Mikage (御影)
- Kanji: 御 (honorable) + 影 (shadow)
- Meaning: “Honorable shadow”
- Pronunciation: MEE-kah-geh
Hisoka (密)
- Kanji: 密 (secrecy)
- Meaning: “Secret”
- Pronunciation: HEE-soh-kah
Enishi (縁)
- Kanji: 縁 (fate, connection)
- Meaning: “Fate”
- Pronunciation: EH-nee-shee
Tsuyu (露)
- Kanji: 露 (dew)
- Meaning: “Dew”
- Pronunciation: TSOO-yoo
Izumi (泉)
- Kanji: 泉 (spring, fountain)
- Meaning: “Spring water”
- Pronunciation: EE-zoo-mee
Tsubasa (翼)
- Kanji: 翼 (wings)
- Meaning: “Wings”
- Pronunciation: TSOO-bah-sah
Kirame (煌)
- Kanji: 煌 (sparkle, shine)
- Meaning: “Sparkling”
- Pronunciation: KEE-rah-meh
Suzuri (硯)
- Kanji: 硯 (inkstone)
- Meaning: “Inkstone”
- Pronunciation: SOO-zoo-ree
Amaru (天留)
- Kanji: 天 (heaven) + 留 (stop, remain)
- Meaning: “Heavenly remnant”
- Pronunciation: AH-mah-roo
Kureha (紅葉)
- Kanji: 紅 (crimson) + 葉 (leaf)
- Meaning: “Crimson leaf”
- Pronunciation: KOO-reh-hah
Izuna (伊豆那)
- Kanji: 伊 (that) + 豆 (bean) + 那 (what)
- Meaning: “Mysterious spirit”
- Pronunciation: EE-zoo-nah
Ameji (雨路)
- Kanji: 雨 (rain) + 路 (path)
- Meaning: “Rainy path”
- Pronunciation: AH-meh-jee
Renga (蓮雅)
- Kanji: 蓮 (lotus) + 雅 (elegance)
- Meaning: “Elegant lotus”
- Pronunciation: REN-gah
Kugatsu (九月)
- Kanji: 九 (nine) + 月 (month/moon)
- Meaning: “September moon”
- Pronunciation: KOO-gah-tsoo
Hikaru (光流)
- Kanji: 光 (light) + 流 (flow)
- Meaning: “Flowing light”
- Pronunciation: HEE-kah-roo
Mikoto (命)
- Kanji: 命 (life, destiny)
- Meaning: “Life”
- Pronunciation: MEE-koh-toh
Sazami (涼海)
- Kanji: 涼 (cool) + 海 (sea)
- Meaning: “Cool sea”
- Pronunciation: SAH-zah-mee
Fuyuki (冬樹)
- Kanji: 冬 (winter) + 樹 (tree)
- Meaning: “Winter tree”
- Pronunciation: FOO-yoo-kee
Tobari (帳)
- Kanji: 帳 (curtain)
- Meaning: “Curtain of night”
- Pronunciation: TOH-bah-ree
Conclusion
As you’ve already explored our list of names, I highly recommend you also check out our unique japanese names list, as it closely aligns with this category. As a name consultant on this website, I have done my best to provide you with the most creative and diverse names from across the internet.
If these names have been helpful to you in any way, please let me know in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable and will help me improve and deliver even better options in the future.
