The most popular baby names in Japan in 2025

The future is bright for baby names in Japan. According to this year’s Tamayo baby name rankingPublished Oct. 30 by Benesse Corporation Parents are gravitating towards names that evoke bright, warm and blue tones. The findings, from 166,011 babies born between January and September, reflect the changing priorities of new parents in a changing cultural and legal naming environment.

The 10 Best Japanese Baby Names for Boys and Girls

2025 Sunshine Hue Ranking

While not necessarily a new trend, names inspired by the sky, weather and light are once again sparking parents’ imaginations in 2025. For boys, “bi” ranked first for the second year in a row, meaning “dark blue” or “sky blue.” Other most popular sky colors include “rising” at number four and “clear” at number eight, both of which have meanings associated with bright and clear weather.

Girls’ names followed a similar trajectory, with Sui taking the crown for the first time since Tamahiyo started tracking the trend in 2005. Himari ranked second, while Hina moved up from 12th to 5th. Both feature the character “Yang”, which is associated with positivity and sunshine. The character appears in multiple top names for both men and women.

Complete Top 10 List

• Boys: Ao, Hong Kong, Haruto, Asahi, Ren, Yuito, Nagi, Haru, Sora, Ritsu
• Girls: Mizu, Mari Maki, Rin, Mei, Hina, Aoi, Kotonoha, Tsumugi, Yuzuki, Mio

Single Chinese character names continue to increase

Parents are increasingly choosing short names, many of which are composed of a single kanji character. This shift reflects cultural and legal changes; the Household Registration Law Amendment Bill enacted in May 2025 aims to curb excessive creativity “About the name” Its interpretation or meaning deviates from standard practice.

Therefore, parents choose Chinese characters with clear symbolism and strong meaning. The number one girls’ name “Cui” is a great example of this trend, simple yet flexible, traditional yet modern.

According to Tamahiyo’s survey, parents said the most important factors in choosing a name are:

• Reading sounds and overall impression (68.2%)
• The meaning of Chinese characters (51.3%)
• Crossed numbers, often associated with wealth and balance (48.1%)

The preference for meaningful Chinese characters has exceeded 50% for the first time, indicating a desire for names that are deeply rooted, auspicious and timeless.

Neutral names gain attention

While single-kanji names are becoming increasingly popular, gender-neutral names are also becoming more common in Japan. The top-ranked unisex name this year is Sena, followed by long-time favorites Aoi and Hinata. Because these readings can be paired with a variety of Chinese characters or left unspecified, they offer flexibility while avoiding gender-specific connotations.

The choices underscore a deeper shift: For a generation born into a time of rapid change, parents want names that feel calming, meaningful and future-proof.

If the 2025 rankings are any indication, Japan’s latest generation will grow up under a banner of clarity and optimism – reflected in names inspired by sunlight and calming natural elements.

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Updated on November 21, 2025