245 Japanese Christian Names For Your Baby

Blending cultures to forge a unique identity.

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Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

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Christian names are not extremely popular or widely used in Japanese culture, making them distinct and unique options for your little one. Japanese Christian names are often used as additions after their native Japanese names. Usually, Japanese names are written using the kanji script. However, Japanese Christian names are written using katakana script and adopted into Japanese phonology from their original form, instead of borrowing directly from the English language. A few examples can be Peter spelled as Petoro, Dominic is spelled as Dominiko, and Martin spelled as Maruchino. In real life, these names are not widely used or recognized. Our list is a mix of masculine and feminine Japanese Christian names, ranging from the girly Kaiya, which means ‘forgiveness,’ ‘sea,’ ‘creativity,’ or ‘pure,’ to the boyish Junichiro, which means ‘he who takes.’ Explore this interesting list to discover one-of-a-kind names for your baby boy or girl.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Kason	Boy	An enclosure for calves; Calf town; Fruit; Village; Mist
Asa	Boy	Physician; Healer; Goddess; Morning; Child of light
Kannon	Boy	Church official; Esteemed; Free; Cane; One who observes sounds
Hana	Girl	Hope, Flower, Bliss, Number one, craft, Shine, Moon
Miya	Girl	A beautiful temple; Shrine; Palace; Beauty; Fruit; To watch; To care for; Night; Wished for child
Rubi	Girl	Ruby; Red stone; Lapis lazuli
Shia	Boy	Gift of God; Followers; Sect; Moon; Happiness
Mika	Girl	Beautiful fragrance; Who is like God?
Rami	Boy	Shooter; To be ambitious; Counsel; Protection; To come; Sheep; Night; Exalted; Mercy
Tamia	Girl	Date palm; Chipmunk; Many beautiful children

Arin	Boy	Mountain of strength; Exalted; Ireland; Purified; Dignified
Kanon	Boy	Flower; Sound; An official of the church
Ria	Girl	To flow; Ground; Love; Beloved; Crimson pear; Joyful; Sweet; Free
Katana	Girl	Sword; Single-edged sword; One-sided edge
Ken	Boy	Good health; Intelligent; Born of fire; Handsome
Nino	Boy	Two; Benevolence; Little girl; Little boy; Child Christ; Yahweh is gracious; Fish; He will add
Maiya	Girl	Good mother; Circle; Increasingly; Illusion
Mai	Girl	Water; Love; Dance; Beloved
Rina	Girl	Pure; Joy; Singing; Melted; White jasmine; Village; Greens; To revive; To be reinvigorated; Daytime; Queen; Peace
Emori	Unisex	Great ruler; Home ruler; Brave king

Arina	Girl	Peace; From Hadria; Gold; Radiant one
Kami	Boy	Lord; Loving; Divine; A youth employed in religious services; God
Kato	Boy	Who knows it all; Second of twins; Wise; Increasing wisteria; East of the river
Rui	Boy	Famous ruler; Fortress; Kind; Sympathy; Flow
Kaidan	Boy	Companion; Friend; Warrior
Kage	Boy	Shadow; Enclosed space
Ky	Boy	Strait; Boomerang; Fire
Aina	Girl	Always; The only one; Grace; Favor; Scene; Sight; Mirror; Difficult birth; Elegant love; Chaste
Eriana	Girl	Most holy; Silver; Honor
Tomi	Unisex	Twin; Wealth; Abundance; Capital; Beautiful

Kona	Boy	Leeward; Small name; Small offering; Peak; Woman;Wife
Arissa	Girl	Best; Bright; Harvest
Erina	Girl	Ireland; Fairy; Starflower; Favor; Village; Greens; That one
Aarika	Girl	Beautiful; Lovely; Beautiful water lily; Golden; Gilded
Riona	Girl	Queen; Pure; Plum; Cherry blossom; Apple tree; Little king; Reason; Garden; Park; Sound; Logic
Enna	Girl	Bird; Light; Pasture; Greens; Kindness; Elegance
Hanzo	Boy	Half; To hide; Yahweh is gracious
Maisha	Girl	Life; Dance; Sand
Sola	Girl	To err; To go astray; Sky; Sun
Mea	Girl	Mine; Red; To bud; To sprout; Love; Tower on the north wall of Jerusalem

Neeko	Unisex	Sound; Child; Rather; Radical; Sunday; Grace;
Kaida	Girl	Little Dragon; Pure
Kana	Girl	Powerful; Incense; Excellent; Green
Misa	Girl	Beautiful sea; Three; Fine sand; Happiness; Who is like God
Kiren	Unisex	Black; Wish; Hope; Rare; Brightness; Expensive; Orchid; Arisen
Amiria	Girl	Unceasing; Vigorous; Brave; To love; Sea
Bibi	Girl	The exalted one; Help; Bean; Wife; Voyager; Hostess; Day; Rain
Beni	Boy	Blessed; Son; Crimson
Raeden	Boy	Thunder God; Lightning; Beam of light; Protection
Shi	Boy	Time; Era; Season; Real; Stone; History; Tranquil

Tomeka	Girl	Many beautiful children
Bento	Unisex	Blessed; Blessing; Convenience
Rubina	Girl	Ruby; Red stone; To flow; Beautiful; Apple tree
Orie	Boy	Cherry Blossom; To Pray; Golden City
Daran	Boy	Orchid; Achieve; Great; Oaktree; Arrive at; Intelligent
Tora	Girl	Tigress; Thunder
Myriah	Girl	A fragrant resin obtained from a tree; Wished for child; Love; White jasmine; Mirror; Good
Arita	Girl	Owns a rice paddy; Rice paddy of ants; Virtue
Amei	Unisex	Heavenly garment; Imperial support; Heavenly sound; Beloved grace
Aanika	Girl	Graceful; Army; Favor

Chima	Boy	God knows; Leave; Space time
Miana	Unisex	Roman God of war, Mars; Goddesslike; Pashtun tribe
Kiko	Boy	Home ruler; Frenchman; Hopeful child; Rare child
Kiano	Girl	Second announcement; Cool breeze; Silk-like material
Ko	Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter; Amber; Tall or high
Minas	Boy	The moon; Will helmet; Sensitivity; Bright; Established one
Mikiyah	Unisex	Who is like Yahweh; Tree trunk; Field
Asah	Boy	Physician; Healer; Goddess; Child of light; Morning
Daichi	Boy	Great land; Great wisdom; First son
Enan	Boy	Keen-eyed; River

Nene	Girl	Lady of the heavens; Tranquil; Little girl; Grace; Pure
Hannya	Unisex	Bear; Pleasant; Favor; Grace; Float; Drift; Resemble; Sky
Daiya	Girl	Big; Great; Diamond
Akia	Girl	Clear sky; Bright; Tomorrow
Cala	Girl	Cove; Crow; Raven
Camreigh	Girl	Crown; Crooked nose
Nekoda	Unisex	Marked; Rice field
Eniko	Girl	A young female deer; Prosperity; Splendor; Virtue; Child
Rori	Boy	He who is a red king; Government official's road
Kairy	Girl	Sea; Pure; Beloved

Tomika	Girl	Beautiful child
Daiki	Boy	Big land; Great wisdom; Great brightness
Ane	Girl	God was gracious; God has shown favor; Grace; Old; Victorious ancestor; Second sound; A girl's big brother
Jyn	Unisex	Gold; Compassionate; God's grace; Live; Victory
Joben	Boy	Enjoys Cleanliness
Maro	Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male; Myself
Mairi	Girl	Bitter; Dance; Plum
Sena	Boy	Army; Gift of fate; Ewe; Holiness; Sacredness; Celestial bodies; Praise; Glory
Sagen	Unisex	Prophet; Sage; Herb
Ryuu	Boy	Dragon; Noble; Prosperous

Nyia	Girl	Bright; Benevolent love; Purpose
Kasen	Girl	Calf; An enclosure of calves; Flower fan
Saimon	Boy	Hearing; Listening; Talent; Ability; Gift; Gate; Doorway; Entrance; Purification; Fasting; Abstinence; Equality; Uniformity; Evenness; West; Western
Tomoya	Boy	A wise or an intelligent person
Taemon	Boy	One with good morals; Well behaved person
Chika	Girl	Wisdom; Beautiful; God is greater; Intellect
Kamina	Unisex	Birch; Truth; Humble servant
Araya	Boy	Leader by example; Good; Noble; Righteous; Wild valley
Gara	Girl	Black; Dark; Elegant; Light fabric
Sarinah	Unisex	Princess; Lady; Serene; Calm; Blossom; Reason; Vegetables

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Choosing a Japanese Christian name for your child is a wonderful way to give them a distinctive and unique identity. While these names are not widely used, their rarity makes them even more special. Parents who appreciate unique and meaningful names will find Japanese Christian names particularly appealing. Another reason why they are unique is that they are not directly taken and used as English names, but they are adopted into Japanese phonology. Delve into this fascinating selection of masculine, feminine, and gender-neutral names for your darling.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are Japanese Christian names different from Western names?

Japanese Christian names differ from Western names primarily in their usage and adaptation. Unlike Western names, which are often used daily, Japanese Christian names are generally used less frequently. These names are written in katakana to fit Japanese phonology, adapting the original Portuguese or Latin forms. For example, Peter becomes Petoro, and John becomes Yohane.

2. What are some Serbian girl names that are easy to pronounce globally?

Japanese Christian names are shaped by a blend of Western and Japanese influences and may have stemmed from the arrival of Christian missionaries. When Portuguese missionaries, such as Francis Xavier, introduced Christianity to Japan in 1549, they brought religious teachings but may also have introduced Western naming conventions in Japan (1).

3. Do Japanese Christian names blend well with Japanese last names?

Japanese Christian names can blend with Japanese last names, though they are used less frequently in everyday life. The integration is seamless in written form, as Christian names are adapted into katakana, making them phonetically compatible with Japanese surnames.

Infographic: Japanese Christian Names For Your Baby

While these names are not widely used in the Japanese community, the beauty and significance behind their meanings should not be ignored. Have a look at the infographic below and choose a name that best suits your child.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

A Thread In Japan’s History: The Historical Journey Of Japanese Christianity to the Brink of Modern Japan.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1398&context=honors

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.