Emi

Meaning: (Blessing, Picture, Beauty, A Smile, Blessed with Beauty)

Origin: (Japanese) 

Pronunciation: (EH-mee, EHM-iy) 

Gender: (Female) 

This is a short but beautiful meaning name but I can’t remember where I first saw this but I think is very lovely and makes me think of a Japanese beautiful warrior like character. This would be cute as an animals name as well.

Okazaki

Meaning: (Hill Cape, found mostly in northeastern Japan and the island of Shikoku. Some bearers have samurai connections.)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (oh-kuh-sah-kee)

Gender: Male

This is a name of one of the main characters on the ‘Clannad’ Anime that my boyfriend Anthony *see on list of posts* had been showing me. The meaning is nice and the name itself is a decent recognizable Japanese name. I can see a Japanese monster being named this for some reason, lol!

Nagisa

Meaning: (Seashore, Lull, Sand, Messenger, Envoy)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (NAA-JHiy-Saa, nah-gee-suh)

Gender: Uni-sex  

My boyfriend Anthony likes an Anime show called “Clannad” and the main female character has this as one of her names. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again I absolutely love Japanese names as the meanings are so nice! The meanings of Nagisa are so pretty and the whole name looks like a sweet very ethereal name. I put her pronunciation as nah-gee-suh as that’s how I heard the name from my boyfriend and heard it when I watched a few episodes of “Clannad” so I used the similar spelled name Natisa *see on list of posts* pronunciation as a guide for Nagisa’s pronunciation. This is a very lovely name and I wouldn’t mind seeing or hearing it a bit more.

Tomoya

Meaning: (Wise One)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (TOW-Mow-Yaa)

Gender: Male

My boyfriend Anthony likes an Anime show called “Clannad” and one of the male characters has this as one of his names. I think the meaning is very lovely and it does seem when looked at that Tomoya would be used on one that is wise. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again I absolutely love Japanese names as the meanings are so nice!

Irie

Meaning: (Jamaican Creole (Iyaric) derived from the phonetic representation of "Happy". Used to mean “Powerful Feelings or to describe anything that is good." Positive and Powerful, It’s All Good, Blessing, and Favor. Irie is used in the music and culture of Jamaica. The meaning is to have no worries or be at peace with everything around you. You hear the saying feeling Irie in many Reggae songs.)

Origin: (Jamaican, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (Eye-ree, IE-ree (Jamaican Patois), Ee-ree-eh (Japanese))

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have a new friend from England named Cameron *see on list of posts* and well his middle name is Irie. When I first saw the name I thought it would be pronounced like eerie like that is so eerie but it is actually eye-ree which makes sense and sounds a bit better but I still want to say eerie, again it’s my American brain that just gets stuck on a certain pronunciation and won’t give it up, lol!

It is Jamaican but I found evidence of it maybe being Japanese as well and even found a Japanese pronunciation. I really love the laid back go with the flow no worries man meanings a lot as it is so much the Jamaican vibe! I can get a very island flare alls good feel with this name and I really like that a lot! I can see a character with a very fun active no worries personality that kind of surfs and travels the world a lot! When I see it though I tend to see it as a female name but my friend is a male and has it as his middle name as I said so I am putting this here as Uni-Sex so an author can choose what gender they so choose for this character name.

All in all I really love this name a bit more each day I hear it but as of right now I don’t see any characters I have being named this and I tend to try and stay clear of certain names of friends of mine but there have been exceptions so if the right character shows themselves this may be a name that fits said character!

 

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Side note: This is my 1000^th post and I am super excited about it! This is an amazing milestone to have reached! Thank you so much to all of my followers and blog readers alike! Here is to hoping I have 1000+ more character names in me to add, lol! ;~)

Mako

Meaning: (Child of Truth, Truth, Grateful, and a noted bearer is Princess Mako of Akishino (眞子内親王, b.1991), the elder
daughter of Fumihito, Prince Akishino and Kiko, Princess Akishino, and a
member of the Japanese Imperial Family. She is the first-born granddaughter of the reigning Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (MAH-koh, MAA-Kow)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw this on a show a few months ago but the way they were pronouncing it and the way I began to pronounce it is apparently really wrong. They pronounced it may-kow not like it is MAH-koh or MAA-kow. I love the meaning of Japanese names as they are so beautiful and this is no different. It’s short and beautiful and I just love it a lot and would love to see it used more often in literature. 

Shima

Meaning: (Mother, Island, it is often written with characters used phonetically. The word does not necessarily denote an island surrounded by water, but can also mean a field separated from its village and surrounded by someone else's property.)

Origin: (Japanese, Native American, Native American- Navajo)

Pronunciation: (SHIYMAH)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I think I heard this when watching The Hunt with John Walsh show. That episode was where a man of either a Hindu or Buddhist community molested several young girls and the girl’s parents said if the contact was seen as bad to the girls then there was something perverse in their thinking. I think this was a name of one of the girls that was showed on the show just like Shyama *see on list of posts* but I am not sure as I’ve moved some names around and so I am not 100% sure.

Shima is a beautiful name that reminds me of many different names I’ve used for my character before like Shika *see on list of posts* and Shamar. The meanings are great and lovely and I love the meanings of Japanese names and one of the origins for this name is Japanese. The name is short and easily pronounced. I think this looks like a girl name from an Anime or something.

Sawa

Meaning: (Swamp, Marsh, Rock)

Origin: (Japanese, Native American, Native American-Miwok)

Pronunciation: (SAA-Waa)

Gender: Female

I was watching the 2014 movie Kite and the main female assassin was named this. Since then I have used it as the name of my main character in a short story I wrote and entered in this years Nelson Algren Literary Awards Short Story Contest, fingers crossed that I win or am a runner up or finalist at least! :~) Her last name is Almund *see on list of posts*.

When I saw the movie Kite I was at first not sure how her name was pronounced or said properly but I looked it up and it is really easy to pronounce and is so cool. I love Japanese names. The meanings are decent and the name itself is easy enough.

Now the pronunciation I said is pretty easy but there is one funny or odd thing about it. When saying it I think it sounds like an English speaker trying to sound like an Asian or foreigner who is saying the word Sour. However I read about one person saying it sounds like a person from Boston trying to say Sour. So I guess I really am not the only one saying it sounds like someone with an accent trying to say Sour.

With both the character in the movie and my character it seems a name fit for a fighter and a unique interesting character. I would love to see this name used more often.

Goku

Meaning: (From the Sky, Air)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (GOWKUW)

Gender: Male

I was watching TV and saw a movie on and decided to watch it and the movie I watched was based off of the Dragon Ball Manga Series. It was a pretty good movie. I can’t speak about the Manga as I have never been into Mangas but I am sure it may be pretty cool as well. The main character is named Goku and I thought that was a really cool name.

I am obsessed with Japanese names whether used in the real world or just for Manga’s ect. I have even used a few before like Sawa *see on list of posts*, Sakura *see on list of posts*, and Shika *see on list of posts*.

The meaning of the name is strong and nature related. The name is very cool over all. I would love to find a character this name would fit on. I would also like to see this name used more often but I am afraid most people that look at the Manga Series will know this name and see it only as belonging to the Dragon Ball Manga Series.

Edit January 31, 2016:

Okay so last night I realized when re-reading the above post that I put to see the list of posts for Sawa and I realized I haven't put Sawa on here yet. It will be going on with the February posts. So if you noticed you couldn't find it you are not lost I simply forgot to tell everyone it will not be on yet, sorry. But do come back and check it out in February!

Anki

Meaning: (God is Gracious, God Has Shown Favor, Learning by Heart, Memory Work, Variant of Ann.)

Origin: (Swedish, Dutch, Nordic, Finnish, Hebrew, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (AENGKIY, AHN-key)

Gender: Female

I think this was one of the names of the mother of one of my favorite music artists. It’s been a while so I can’t really remember if this is it. So this I believe was one of the names and the other was Alla *see on list of posts*. I think this is a pretty name that has good meanings. I like the foreign to English speakers look.  

Aza

Meaning: (Reflect, Think, Strong, Comfort, One Who Provides Comfort, Born in the Morning)

Origin: (Arabic, Japanese, Scandinavian)

Pronunciation: (AH-Z-aa)

Gender: Female

I often recommend the book Fairest by Gail Carson Levine on Yahoo Answers. The main character of the book is named Aza. It is a short name and the meanings are absolutely beautiful. I really love this name.

Tippi / Tippie/ Tippy

Meaning: (Yellow Horse, Yellow, Golden, Fair, Corrugated Roof, From the Swedish nickname "Tupsa" meaning "sweetheart". Also possibly from the German "tippe", an occupational name for a tub maker. Made famous by actress Tippi Hedren, whose birth name was Nathalie Hedren.)

Origin: (Old Greek, Hebrew, Swedish, German, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (TIHP-iy, TIP-ee)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching the movie Birds with Tippi Hedren in it. I at first thought it was funny but it has grown on me. It's not a name that would fit too many characters but it has great meanings and seems kind of cute.

Camry

Meaning: ("Camry" is an Anglicized phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), meaning "crown".)

Origin: (English, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (cam-ree, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Camry to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=camry)

Gender: Uni-Sex

A few weeks ago I went down to St. Charles, Missouri for a Jehovah's Witness District Convention. I will be adding names that I gathered over that weekend trip. When we were driving I saw more Toyota Camry cars then ever before. I wondered what Camry meant and when I learned I really liked it. I think Camry nicknamed Cam would make a good character name.

Katana

Meaning: (Sword, Sabre)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (Ka-ton-ah, Kuh-than-uh, kuh-tana)

Gender: Female

Historically, katana (刀^?) were one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (日本刀, nihonto^?) that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan, also commonly referred to as a "samurai sword". Modern versions of the katana are sometimes made using non-traditional materials and methods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana

The above information was from the Wiki page check it out if you like. I saw this name the other day when watching a show and the people went to a Japanese restaurant named Katana. I think the name looks pretty and has a strong meaning. Katana swords are unique and I've actually seen and handled one.

Azumi

Meaning: (Safe Residence)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (ah-ZOO-me)

Gender: Female

A few weeks ago I was looking for Sanctuary or equivalent to Sanctuary meaning names and I came across this one. I really absolutely love it. The meaning is great and the pronunciation is easy and I have said it before and I'll say it again I love Japanese names they have the best and prettiest name meanings.

Maryflor or Mariflor

Meaning: (Mary/Mari: Star of the Sea, Bitter, Beloved, Loved, Beloved Lady, Japanese name meaning (depending on the kanji characters): truth, long distance, jasmine or ball. Flor: Flower, Blossoming, Charming, Derived from the Old French fleur (flower). Its use as a name in England began in the Middle Ages. It is rarely used as a given name in France, which prefers the names of saints and martyrs )

Origin: (English, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, Welsh, French)

Pronunciation: (Mari: MAH-ree, MAHR-ee, Mary: MAIR-ree, Flor: FLOHR Combined: MAH-ree-FLOHR or MAIR-ree-FLOHR)

Gender: Female

I heard and saw this name on Beverly Hills Wedding Dresses show. At first it showed on the screen her name was spelled Maryflor then a while later it showed it spelled Mariflor. Mary and Mari can have different pronunciations but the lady on T.V was pronouncing hers MAIR-ree-FLOHR (Maryflor). I know the name might look different and at first when I saw it and heard it I was like What the heck then it quickly grew on me and I really like it now. So don't be quick to judge this name.

Sakura

Meaning: (Cherry Blossom, Good, Cherry Tree, Cherry Tree Blossom)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (sah-kur-ah, SAH-ker-uh)

Gender: Female

I think this is a beautiful name. I have said this before Japanese names have amazing beautiful meanings. The look, sound and meaning of Sakura is beautiful and lovely. This is a popular name in Animes I heard though I don't read Animes. I hear it is a very popular female name in Japan. Still it is beautiful and I would love to see it used even more.

Shika

Meaning: (As a Deer, Little Deer, Beautiful, Good, Excellent Intention)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (Shee-ka, Shee-kah)

Gender: Female

I have used this in one of my stories before. I love the meaning and the look and well everything about this name. It has a beautiful look to it and a unique sound at least for people that aren't Japanese as they are probably used to a names like this. Japanese names have the most beautiful meanings and the prettiest look to there names.

Naomi

Meaning: (My Pleasantness, Pleasant, Beautiful, Delightful, Beautiful Honesty)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (nay-OH-mee, nay-O-mee)

Gender: Female


I have actually used Naomi before as the name of the deceased mother of one of my characters. I like the name and the meaning a lot.

Anna or Ana

Meaning: (Grace, Favor, Merciful, Apricot from Nara, Grain, He (God) has favored me, In the English-speaking world, this form came into general use in the 18th century, joining Ann and Anne. The name was borne by several Russian royals, including an 18th-century empress of Russia. It was also the name of the main character in Leo Tolstoy's novel 'Anna Karenina' (1877), a woman forced to choose between her son and her lover.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Latin, Japanese, Sanskrit)

Pronunciation: (Anna: AN-ah, AN-a, Ann-uh, Ana: AHN-ah, AH-nah (Spanish)

Gender: Female

I have used Anna before as part of a combo name. I love the meaning and it could be used in many different genres and in many different eras. I also love Ana the Spanish version.