559 Japanese Names That Start With N — Boys, Girls and Last Names

Japanese names beginning with N carry some of the most emotionally resonant syllables in the language. Nami (wave), Natsuki (summer hope), Noboru (to rise), and Nozomi (hope, wish) — these words move through Japanese poetry, nature writing, and everyday life with equal ease. The N sound in Japanese is soft yet clear, giving names that start with it a quality of honesty and openness that parents have valued for generations.

From the straightforward virtue of Naoki (honest tree) to the lyrical depth of Nagisa (water’s edge) and the bold samurai resonance of Nobunaga (faithful and long), N names span every mood and meaning in the Japanese naming tradition. Whether you want something rooted in nature, shaped by history, or fresh from modern anime, this list covers every corner of Japanese N naming culture with authentic kanji, meanings, and pronunciations throughout.

Top 10 Japanese Names Starting With N — Quick Picks

Japanese Boy Names That Start With N

Japanese male names beginning with N draw on two main kanji traditions: nobu (信, faithful) and nao (直, honest, straight). Both reflect virtues deeply prized in Japanese society across centuries. Samurai records, imperial rosters, and modern birth registries all feature these patterns heavily. Anyone researching strong Japanese boy names with meanings will find N names among the most culturally grounded options available.

1. Naoki
   Meaning: Honest tree
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh-kee
   Kanji: 直樹
2. Noboru
   Meaning: To ascend, rise
   Pronunciation: Noh-boh-roo
   Kanji: 昇
3. Naoya
   Meaning: Honest and clear
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh-yah
   Kanji: 直哉
4. Nobuhiro
   Meaning: Faithful abundance
   Pronunciation: Noh-boo-hee-roh
   Kanji: 信広
5. Norio
   Meaning: Man of law
   Pronunciation: Noh-ree-oh
   Kanji: 則夫
6. Nobuyuki
   Meaning: Faithful happiness
   Pronunciation: Noh-boo-yoo-kee
   Kanji: 信幸
7. Naomichi
   Meaning: Honest path
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh-mee-chee
   Kanji: 直道
8. Nariaki
   Meaning: Bright achievement
   Pronunciation: Nah-ree-ah-kee
   Kanji: 斉明
9. Nobunaga
   Meaning: Faithful and long
   Pronunciation: Noh-boo-nah-gah
   Kanji: 信長
10. Norihiro
    Meaning: Broad law
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-hee-roh
    Kanji: 則広
11. Naohiro
    Meaning: Honest and broad
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hee-roh
    Kanji: 直弘
12. Nobukazu
    Meaning: Faithful one
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kah-zoo
    Kanji: 信一
13. Naotaka
    Meaning: Honest and high
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-tah-kah
    Kanji: 直隆
14. Noritaka
    Meaning: Righteous elevation
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-tah-kah
    Kanji: 典隆
15. Nobumasa
    Meaning: Faithful and true
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-mah-sah
    Kanji: 信正
16. Naotoshi
    Meaning: Honest and wise
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-toh-shee
    Kanji: 直俊
17. Nobuyoshi
    Meaning: Faithful goodness
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-yoh-shee
    Kanji: 信善
18. Noritoshi
    Meaning: Wise doctrine
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-toh-shee
    Kanji: 則俊
19. Naofumi
    Meaning: Honest writings
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-foo-mee
    Kanji: 直文
20. Nobunori
    Meaning: Faithful rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-noh-ree
    Kanji: 信則
21. Naomasa
    Meaning: Honest and righteous
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-mah-sah
    Kanji: 直正
22. Nobuaki
    Meaning: Faithful brightness
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-ah-kee
    Kanji: 信明
23. Naohisa
    Meaning: Honest longevity
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hee-sah
    Kanji: 直久
24. Noriyuki
    Meaning: Happy rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-yoo-kee
    Kanji: 則幸
25. Nobuhisa
    Meaning: Long-lasting faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-hee-sah
    Kanji: 信久
26. Naotaro
    Meaning: Honest eldest son
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-tah-roh
    Kanji: 直太郎
27. Noritaro
    Meaning: Eldest son of doctrine
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-tah-roh
    Kanji: 則太郎
28. Nobutsugu
    Meaning: Continuing faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-tsoo-goo
    Kanji: 信継
29. Naokuni
    Meaning: Honest country
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-koo-nee
    Kanji: 直国
30. Norihisa
    Meaning: Long-lasting rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-hee-sah
    Kanji: 則久
31. Nobukatsu
    Meaning: Faithful victory
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kah-tsoo
    Kanji: 信勝
32. Naoyuki
    Meaning: Honest happiness
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-yoo-kee
    Kanji: 直幸
33. Norinobu
    Meaning: Faithful doctrine
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-noh-boo
    Kanji: 則信
34. Nobumichi
    Meaning: Faithful path
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-mee-chee
    Kanji: 信道
35. Naomoto
    Meaning: Honest origin
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-moh-toh
    Kanji: 直元
36. Noritake
    Meaning: Bamboo of rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-tah-keh
    Kanji: 則竹
37. Nobuaki
    Meaning: Faithful light
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-ah-kee
    Kanji: 信昭
38. Naokazu
    Meaning: Honest count
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-kah-zoo
    Kanji: 直和
39. Nobushige
    Meaning: Abundant faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-shee-geh
    Kanji: 信茂
40. Noriatsu
    Meaning: Warm rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-ah-tsoo
    Kanji: 則篤
41. Naomune
    Meaning: Honest doctrine
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-moo-neh
    Kanji: 直宗
42. Nobutoshi
    Meaning: Wise faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-toh-shee
    Kanji: 信俊
43. Norikata
    Meaning: Rule and form
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-kah-tah
    Kanji: 則方
44. Naosuke
    Meaning: Honest helper
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-soo-keh
    Kanji: 直助
45. Nobukiyo
    Meaning: Pure faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kee-yoh
    Kanji: 信清
46. Norimoto
    Meaning: Origin of rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-moh-toh
    Kanji: 則元
47. Naosada
    Meaning: Honest loyalty
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-sah-dah
    Kanji: 直貞
48. Nobuie
    Meaning: Faithful household
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-ee-eh
    Kanji: 信家
49. Noritane
    Meaning: Seed of doctrine
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-tah-neh
    Kanji: 則胤
50. Naohide
    Meaning: Honest excellence
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hee-deh
    Kanji: 直英
51. Nobunao
    Meaning: Faithful and honest
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-nah-oh
    Kanji: 信直
52. Noriyoshi
    Meaning: Good rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-yoh-shee
    Kanji: 則善
53. Naomitsu
    Meaning: Honest light
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-meet-soo
    Kanji: 直光
54. Nobumoto
    Meaning: Faithful origin
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-moh-toh
    Kanji: 信元
55. Norinobu
    Meaning: Faithful rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-noh-boo
    Kanji: 典信
56. Naoharu
    Meaning: Honest spring
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hah-roo
    Kanji: 直春
57. Nobuyasu
    Meaning: Faithful peace
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-yah-soo
    Kanji: 信靖
58. Noriaki
    Meaning: Bright rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-ah-kee
    Kanji: 典明
59. Naokata
    Meaning: Honest form
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-kah-tah
    Kanji: 直方
60. Nobutaka
    Meaning: Faithful elevation
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-tah-kah
    Kanji: 信隆
61. Norikuni
    Meaning: Country of rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-koo-nee
    Kanji: 則国
62. Naoshige
    Meaning: Abundant honesty
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-shee-geh
    Kanji: 直茂
63. Nobumune
    Meaning: Faithful doctrine
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-moo-neh
    Kanji: 信宗
64. Noritsugu
    Meaning: Continuing rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-tsoo-goo
    Kanji: 則継
65. Naonari
    Meaning: Honest achievement
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-nah-ree
    Kanji: 直成
66. Nobukane
    Meaning: Faithful gold
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kah-neh
    Kanji: 信金
67. Noriharu
    Meaning: Spring of rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-hah-roo
    Kanji: 典春
68. Naotsugu
    Meaning: Continuing honesty
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-tsoo-goo
    Kanji: 直継
69. Nobufusa
    Meaning: Abundant faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-foo-sah
    Kanji: 信房
70. Norimasa
    Meaning: True rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-mah-sah
    Kanji: 則正
71. Naotsune
    Meaning: Continuing honesty
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-tsoo-neh
    Kanji: 直経
72. Nobutomo
    Meaning: Faithful friend
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-toh-moh
    Kanji: 信友
73. Norifumi
    Meaning: Writings of rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-foo-mee
    Kanji: 則文
74. Naohiko
    Meaning: Honest boy
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hee-koh
    Kanji: 直彦
75. Nobukiyo
    Meaning: Pure faithful
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kee-yoh
    Kanji: 信浄
76. Noriomi
    Meaning: Minister of rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-oh-mee
    Kanji: 則臣
77. Naomichi
    Meaning: Straight road
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-mee-chee
    Kanji: 直路
78. Nobutada
    Meaning: Faithful loyalty
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-tah-dah
    Kanji: 信忠
79. Norinaga
    Meaning: Long rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-nah-gah
    Kanji: 則長
80. Naomori
    Meaning: Honest forest
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-moh-ree
    Kanji: 直森
81. Nobutsune
    Meaning: Continuing faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-tsoo-neh
    Kanji: 信経
82. Norihide
    Meaning: Excellent rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-hee-deh
    Kanji: 則英
83. Naotake
    Meaning: Honest bamboo
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-tah-keh
    Kanji: 直竹
84. Nobukazu
    Meaning: Faithful harmony
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kah-zoo
    Kanji: 信和
85. Norikatsu
    Meaning: Victorious rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-kah-tsoo
    Kanji: 則勝
86. Naomitsu
    Meaning: Three honests
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-meet-soo
    Kanji: 直三
87. Nobumoto
    Meaning: Root of faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-moh-toh
    Kanji: 信本
88. Norikazu
    Meaning: One rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-kah-zoo
    Kanji: 則一
89. Naoie
    Meaning: Honest household
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-ee-eh
    Kanji: 直家
90. Nobutoshi
    Meaning: Sharp faith
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-toh-shee
    Kanji: 信利
91. Noriyasu
    Meaning: Peaceful rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-yah-soo
    Kanji: 則靖
92. Naokata
    Meaning: Firm honesty
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-kah-tah
    Kanji: 直堅
93. Nobutane
    Meaning: Faithful seed
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-tah-neh
    Kanji: 信胤
94. Noriomi
    Meaning: Rule of the minister
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-oh-mee
    Kanji: 典臣
95. Naoharu
    Meaning: Clear spring
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hah-roo
    Kanji: 直晴
96. Nobusato
    Meaning: Faithful village
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-sah-toh
    Kanji: 信郷
97. Noritatsu
    Meaning: Rising rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-tah-tsoo
    Kanji: 則達
98. Naotane
    Meaning: Honest seed
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-tah-neh
    Kanji: 直胤
99. Nobuyasu
    Meaning: Faithful ease
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-yah-soo
    Kanji: 信康
100. Norinobu
     Meaning: Doctrine of the faithful
     Pronunciation: Noh-ree-noh-boo
     Kanji: 範信
101. Naomoto
     Meaning: Root of honesty
     Pronunciation: Nah-oh-moh-toh
     Kanji: 直本
102. Nobumori
     Meaning: Faithful forest
     Pronunciation: Noh-boo-moh-ree
     Kanji: 信森
103. Noriharu
     Meaning: Faithful spring
     Pronunciation: Noh-ree-hah-roo
     Kanji: 範春
104. Naomune
     Meaning: Straight doctrine
     Pronunciation: Nah-oh-moo-neh
     Kanji: 直棟
105. Nobufumi
     Meaning: Faithful writings
     Pronunciation: Noh-boo-foo-mee
     Kanji: 信文
106. Norikatsu
     Meaning: Rule and victory
     Pronunciation: Noh-ree-kah-tsoo
     Kanji: 典勝
107. Naotora
     Meaning: Honest tiger
     Pronunciation: Nah-oh-toh-rah
     Kanji: 直虎
108. Nobushige
     Meaning: Faithful flourishing
     Pronunciation: Noh-boo-shee-geh
     Kanji: 信繁
109. Norinobu
     Meaning: Noble faithful
     Pronunciation: Noh-ree-noh-boo
     Kanji: 典宣

Japanese boy names built on nobu (信, faithful) trace back to the Heian court period, where faith and loyalty to one’s lord were the highest virtues a samurai could embody. The nao (直, honest, straight) names carried equal weight in scholarly and administrative families. Both traditions continue today — Naoki in particular has ranked in Japan’s top 20 boy names in multiple Heisei and Reiwa era surveys.

Japanese Girl Names That Start With N

Girl names beginning with N in Japanese lean toward imagery of nature, emotion, and gentle beauty. Nami (wave), Nagisa (water’s edge), Natsumi (summer beauty), and Nozomi (hope) are among the most emotionally vivid names in the Japanese lexicon. The -ko suffix (child) pairs naturally with N stems: Noriko, Naoko, Natsuko, and Nanako remain beloved across generations. For a broader view of elegant choices, the guide to Japanese girl names with meanings offers excellent companion reading.

1. Nozomi
   Meaning: Hope, wish
   Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-mee
   Kanji: 希
2. Nanami
   Meaning: Seven seas
   Pronunciation: Nah-nah-mee
   Kanji: 七海
3. Nagisa
   Meaning: Water’s edge
   Pronunciation: Nah-gee-sah
   Kanji: 渚
4. Naomi
   Meaning: Honest beauty
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh-mee
   Kanji: 直美
5. Natsuki
   Meaning: Summer hope
   Pronunciation: Naht-soo-kee
   Kanji: 夏希
6. Noriko
   Meaning: Lawful child
   Pronunciation: Noh-ree-koh
   Kanji: 則子
7. Natsumi
   Meaning: Summer beauty
   Pronunciation: Naht-soo-mee
   Kanji: 夏美
8. Naoko
   Meaning: Honest child
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh-koh
   Kanji: 直子
9. Natsuko
   Meaning: Summer child
   Pronunciation: Naht-soo-koh
   Kanji: 夏子
10. Nami
    Meaning: Wave
    Pronunciation: Nah-mee
    Kanji: 波
11. Nanako
    Meaning: Seven children
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-koh
    Kanji: 七子
12. Naho
    Meaning: Honest sail
    Pronunciation: Nah-hoh
    Kanji: 菜穂
13. Nao
    Meaning: Honest
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh
    Kanji: 直
14. Narumi
    Meaning: Resounding beauty
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-mee
    Kanji: 鳴海
15. Noa
    Meaning: My love, affection
    Pronunciation: Noh-ah
    Kanji: 乃愛
16. Nene
    Meaning: Peaceful sound
    Pronunciation: Neh-neh
    Kanji: 寧音
17. Nika
    Meaning: Two flowers
    Pronunciation: Nee-kah
    Kanji: 二花
18. Nina
    Meaning: Two vegetables
    Pronunciation: Nee-nah
    Kanji: 二菜
19. Nina
    Meaning: Beautiful south
    Pronunciation: Nee-nah
    Kanji: 仁奈
20. Nobuko
    Meaning: Faithful child
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-koh
    Kanji: 信子
21. Norie
    Meaning: Blessed bay
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-eh
    Kanji: 典江
22. Noriyo
    Meaning: Law generation
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-yoh
    Kanji: 典代
23. Noriko
    Meaning: Doctrine child
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-koh
    Kanji: 典子
24. Narue
    Meaning: Resounding bay
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-eh
    Kanji: 鳴恵
25. Natsuna
    Meaning: Summer greens
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-nah
    Kanji: 夏菜
26. Nana
    Meaning: Seven
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah
    Kanji: 七
27. Narue
    Meaning: Sound of waves
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-eh
    Kanji: 波恵
28. Natsume
    Meaning: Jujube tree, summer
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-meh
    Kanji: 夏目
29. Natsuno
    Meaning: Summer field
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-noh
    Kanji: 夏野
30. Natsuho
    Meaning: Summer treasure
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-hoh
    Kanji: 夏穂
31. Nayu
    Meaning: Honest tenderness
    Pronunciation: Nah-yoo
    Kanji: 直優
32. Nariko
    Meaning: Thunder child
    Pronunciation: Nah-ree-koh
    Kanji: 鳴子
33. Nena
    Meaning: Root sound
    Pronunciation: Neh-nah
    Kanji: 根音
34. Neriko
    Meaning: Kneaded child
    Pronunciation: Neh-ree-koh
    Kanji: 練子
35. Nira
    Meaning: Garden chive
    Pronunciation: Nee-rah
    Kanji: 韮
36. Nobue
    Meaning: Faithful bay
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-eh
    Kanji: 信江
37. Nobumi
    Meaning: Faithful beauty
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-mee
    Kanji: 信美
38. Nobuyo
    Meaning: Faithful generation
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-yoh
    Kanji: 信代
39. Nogiwa
    Meaning: Field edge
    Pronunciation: Noh-gee-wah
    Kanji: 野際
40. Noha
    Meaning: Field leaf
    Pronunciation: Noh-hah
    Kanji: 野葉
41. Noka
    Meaning: Field blossom
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah
    Kanji: 野花
42. Nono
    Meaning: Field of fields
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh
    Kanji: 乃々
43. Nori
    Meaning: Law, seaweed
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree
    Kanji: 法
44. Norika
    Meaning: Law blossom
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-kah
    Kanji: 典花
45. Norimi
    Meaning: Law beauty
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-mee
    Kanji: 典美
46. Noriyo
    Meaning: Law world
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-yoh
    Kanji: 宣代
47. Notomi
    Meaning: Field friend
    Pronunciation: Noh-toh-mee
    Kanji: 野友
48. Nozomi
    Meaning: Deep wish
    Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-mee
    Kanji: 望
49. Namiho
    Meaning: Wave treasure
    Pronunciation: Nah-mee-hoh
    Kanji: 波穂
50. Namika
    Meaning: Wave blossom
    Pronunciation: Nah-mee-kah
    Kanji: 波花
51. Namiko
    Meaning: Wave child
    Pronunciation: Nah-mee-koh
    Kanji: 波子
52. Nanahoshi
    Meaning: Seven stars
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-hoh-shee
    Kanji: 七星
53. Nanaho
    Meaning: Seven treasures
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-hoh
    Kanji: 七穂
54. Nanako
    Meaning: Blossoms child
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-koh
    Kanji: 菜々子
55. Nanase
    Meaning: Seven rapids
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-seh
    Kanji: 七瀬
56. Nanayo
    Meaning: Seven generations
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-yoh
    Kanji: 七世
57. Nanahana
    Meaning: Seven flowers
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-hah-nah
    Kanji: 七花
58. Nanaharu
    Meaning: Seven springs
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-hah-roo
    Kanji: 七春
59. Nanahiko
    Meaning: Seven lights
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-hee-koh
    Kanji: 七光
60. Nanamori
    Meaning: Seven forests
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-moh-ree
    Kanji: 七森
61. Naoko
    Meaning: Honest light child
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-koh
    Kanji: 直光子
62. Naone
    Meaning: Honest sound
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-neh
    Kanji: 直音
63. Naoha
    Meaning: Honest leaf
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hah
    Kanji: 直葉
64. Naoka
    Meaning: Honest blossom
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-kah
    Kanji: 直花
65. Naona
    Meaning: Honest greens
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-nah
    Kanji: 直菜
66. Nao
    Meaning: Gentle, honest
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh
    Kanji: 奈緒
67. Natsuka
    Meaning: Summer fragrance
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-kah
    Kanji: 夏香
68. Natsue
    Meaning: Summer bay
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-eh
    Kanji: 夏江
69. Natsuhana
    Meaning: Summer flower
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-hah-nah
    Kanji: 夏花
70. Natsumi
    Meaning: Summer sea
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-mee
    Kanji: 夏海
71. Natsuyo
    Meaning: Summer generation
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-yoh
    Kanji: 夏代
72. Natsuha
    Meaning: Summer leaf
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-hah
    Kanji: 夏葉
73. Natsura
    Meaning: Summer crane
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-rah
    Kanji: 夏鶴
74. Nene
    Meaning: Calm sound
    Pronunciation: Neh-neh
    Kanji: 音々
75. Neha
    Meaning: Root leaf
    Pronunciation: Neh-hah
    Kanji: 根葉
76. Neika
    Meaning: Sound blossom
    Pronunciation: Neh-ee-kah
    Kanji: 音花
77. Neina
    Meaning: Sound greens
    Pronunciation: Neh-ee-nah
    Kanji: 音菜
78. Neiro
    Meaning: Sound color
    Pronunciation: Neh-ee-roh
    Kanji: 音色
79. Niharu
    Meaning: Two springs
    Pronunciation: Nee-hah-roo
    Kanji: 二春
80. Niho
    Meaning: Two treasures
    Pronunciation: Nee-hoh
    Kanji: 二穂
81. Nihona
    Meaning: Two flower greens
    Pronunciation: Nee-hoh-nah
    Kanji: 二穂菜
82. Niina
    Meaning: Two greens
    Pronunciation: Nee-ee-nah
    Kanji: 仁依奈
83. Niji
    Meaning: Rainbow
    Pronunciation: Nee-jee
    Kanji: 虹
84. Nijika
    Meaning: Rainbow blossom
    Pronunciation: Nee-jee-kah
    Kanji: 虹花
85. Nijiko
    Meaning: Rainbow child
    Pronunciation: Nee-jee-koh
    Kanji: 虹子
86. Nishi
    Meaning: West
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee
    Kanji: 西
87. Nishiki
    Meaning: Brocade, west tree
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-kee
    Kanji: 錦
88. Noa
    Meaning: Gentle field
    Pronunciation: Noh-ah
    Kanji: 野亜
89. Noami
    Meaning: Field beauty
    Pronunciation: Noh-ah-mee
    Kanji: 野亜美
90. Nobana
    Meaning: Field blossom
    Pronunciation: Noh-bah-nah
    Kanji: 野花
91. Nobara
    Meaning: Wild rose
    Pronunciation: Noh-bah-rah
    Kanji: 野薔薇
92. Noemi
    Meaning: Blessed beauty
    Pronunciation: Noh-eh-mee
    Kanji: 乃恵美
93. Noha
    Meaning: Gentle leaf
    Pronunciation: Noh-hah
    Kanji: 乃葉
94. Noka
    Meaning: Of fragrance
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah
    Kanji: 乃香
95. Nokaze
    Meaning: Field wind
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah-zeh
    Kanji: 野風
96. Nome
    Meaning: Field bud
    Pronunciation: Noh-meh
    Kanji: 野芽
97. Nomika
    Meaning: Field blossom fragrance
    Pronunciation: Noh-mee-kah
    Kanji: 野美花
98. Nono
    Meaning: Wildflower
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh
    Kanji: 野々
99. Nonoka
    Meaning: Wildflower fragrance
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh-kah
    Kanji: 野乃香
100. Nonomi
     Meaning: Field beauty
     Pronunciation: Noh-noh-mee
     Kanji: 野乃美
101. Nonoka
     Meaning: Wild field blossom
     Pronunciation: Noh-noh-kah
     Kanji: 野々花
102. Notsu
     Meaning: Field harbor
     Pronunciation: Noh-tsoo
     Kanji: 野津
103. Nozoka
     Meaning: Peeping blossom
     Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-kah
     Kanji: 覗花
104. Nozomi
     Meaning: Field wish
     Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-mee
     Kanji: 野望

Japanese girl names built on natsu (夏, summer) and nami (波, wave) capture the Japanese reverence for seasons and natural phenomena. The summer names peaked in popularity for girls born during July and August, where parents chose names that reflected the warmth of the season surrounding the birth. The nana (七, seven) cluster is particularly charming: seven carries luck and completeness in Japanese numerology, making Nanami and Nanako names of both beauty and good fortune.

Unisex Japanese Names Starting With N

Japanese parents have long favoured names that sit comfortably on any child regardless of gender. N names are particularly well suited to this, since many are rooted in nature words — wave, hope, summer, water’s edge — that carry no inherent gender signal. Names like Natsuki, Nagisa, and Nozomi appear regularly in both boys’ and girls’ birth records. This mirrors the broader Japanese interest in gender neutral Japanese names that have grown since the 1990s.

1. Natsuki
   Meaning: Summer hope
   Pronunciation: Naht-soo-kee
   Kanji: 夏希
2. Nagisa
   Meaning: Water’s edge
   Pronunciation: Nah-gee-sah
   Kanji: 渚
3. Nozomi
   Meaning: Hope
   Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-mee
   Kanji: 望
4. Nao
   Meaning: Honest
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh
   Kanji: 直
5. Nami
   Meaning: Wave
   Pronunciation: Nah-mee
   Kanji: 波
6. Nene
   Meaning: Peaceful sound
   Pronunciation: Neh-neh
   Kanji: 寧音
7. Noa
   Meaning: My love
   Pronunciation: Noh-ah
   Kanji: 乃愛
8. Nori
   Meaning: Rule, doctrine
   Pronunciation: Noh-ree
   Kanji: 則
9. Natsu
   Meaning: Summer
   Pronunciation: Naht-soo
   Kanji: 夏
10. Naoki
    Meaning: Honest tree
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-kee
    Kanji: 直樹
11. Noboru
    Meaning: To rise
    Pronunciation: Noh-boh-roo
    Kanji: 昇
12. Niji
    Meaning: Rainbow
    Pronunciation: Nee-jee
    Kanji: 虹
13. Neiro
    Meaning: Sound color
    Pronunciation: Neh-ee-roh
    Kanji: 音色
14. Niwa
    Meaning: Garden
    Pronunciation: Nee-wah
    Kanji: 庭
15. Nobuki
    Meaning: Faithful tree
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kee
    Kanji: 信樹
16. Noha
    Meaning: Field leaf
    Pronunciation: Noh-hah
    Kanji: 野葉
17. Noka
    Meaning: Field fragrance
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah
    Kanji: 野香
18. Nono
    Meaning: Wildflower
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh
    Kanji: 野々
19. Nozoka
    Meaning: Peeping wish
    Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-kah
    Kanji: 望花
20. Namiha
    Meaning: Wave leaf
    Pronunciation: Nah-mee-hah
    Kanji: 波葉
21. Nanaho
    Meaning: Seven treasures
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-hoh
    Kanji: 七穂
22. Natsuha
    Meaning: Summer leaf
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-hah
    Kanji: 夏葉
23. Neiro
    Meaning: Tone
    Pronunciation: Neh-ee-roh
    Kanji: 音
24. Narue
    Meaning: Resounding bay
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-eh
    Kanji: 鳴江
25. Nomine
    Meaning: Field peak
    Pronunciation: Noh-mee-neh
    Kanji: 野峰
26. Nachi
    Meaning: Seven thousand
    Pronunciation: Nah-chee
    Kanji: 那智
27. Nanase
    Meaning: Seven rapids
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah-seh
    Kanji: 七瀬
28. Nobuki
    Meaning: Faithful hope
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-kee
    Kanji: 信希
29. Naruse
    Meaning: Sound current
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-seh
    Kanji: 鳴瀬
30. Nishiki
    Meaning: Brocade
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-kee
    Kanji: 錦
31. Nokage
    Meaning: Field shadow
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah-geh
    Kanji: 野影
32. Nomichi
    Meaning: Field path
    Pronunciation: Noh-mee-chee
    Kanji: 野道
33. Nonoka
    Meaning: Wild field blossom
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh-kah
    Kanji: 野々花
34. Noraha
    Meaning: Plain leaf
    Pronunciation: Noh-rah-hah
    Kanji: 野良葉
35. Naruka
    Meaning: Resounding fragrance
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-kah
    Kanji: 鳴香
36. Natsumine
    Meaning: Summer peak
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-mee-neh
    Kanji: 夏峰
37. Natsuharu
    Meaning: Summer spring
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-hah-roo
    Kanji: 夏春
38. Naoha
    Meaning: Honest leaf
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-hah
    Kanji: 直葉
39. Naone
    Meaning: Honest sound
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-neh
    Kanji: 直音
40. Nobara
    Meaning: Wild rose
    Pronunciation: Noh-bah-rah
    Kanji: 野薔薇

The shift toward unisex N names accelerated in Japan during the 2000s, when Natsuki and Nagisa began appearing in equal measure on boys’ and girls’ birth certificates. Linguists note that nature-referencing names — wave, water’s edge, summer — resist gendering because the Japanese language assigns no grammatical gender and traditional naming conventions tie gender signals primarily to suffixes like -ko (子) or -o (男), which these shorter names omit.

Japanese Last Names Starting With N

Japanese surnames beginning with N include some of the most historically significant family names in the country. Nakamura, Nishimura, Noguchi, and Nakata appear in feudal land records, samurai family registers, and modern phone books alike. For a broader exploration of how family naming works in Japan, the guide to Japanese last names with meanings provides essential context on kanji structure and regional distribution.

1. Nakamura
   Meaning: Middle village
   Pronunciation: Nah-kah-moo-rah
   Kanji: 中村
2. Nishimura
   Meaning: West village
   Pronunciation: Nee-shee-moo-rah
   Kanji: 西村
3. Nakajima
   Meaning: Middle island
   Pronunciation: Nah-kah-jee-mah
   Kanji: 中島
4. Nakagawa
   Meaning: Middle river
   Pronunciation: Nah-kah-gah-wah
   Kanji: 中川
5. Nakayama
   Meaning: Middle mountain
   Pronunciation: Nah-kah-yah-mah
   Kanji: 中山
6. Noguchi
   Meaning: Field mouth
   Pronunciation: Noh-goo-chee
   Kanji: 野口
7. Nakata
   Meaning: Middle rice field
   Pronunciation: Nah-kah-tah
   Kanji: 中田
8. Nishida
   Meaning: West rice field
   Pronunciation: Nee-shee-dah
   Kanji: 西田
9. Nishikawa
   Meaning: West river
   Pronunciation: Nee-shee-kah-wah
   Kanji: 西川
10. Nakauchi
    Meaning: Inside the middle
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-oo-chee
    Kanji: 中内
11. Noda
    Meaning: Field rice field
    Pronunciation: Noh-dah
    Kanji: 野田
12. Nishio
    Meaning: West tail
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-oh
    Kanji: 西尾
13. Nakanishi
    Meaning: Middle west
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-nee-shee
    Kanji: 中西
14. Nakano
    Meaning: Middle plain
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-noh
    Kanji: 中野
15. Nakahara
    Meaning: Middle plain field
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-hah-rah
    Kanji: 中原
16. Nakazawa
    Meaning: Middle swamp
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-zah-wah
    Kanji: 中沢
17. Nishiyama
    Meaning: West mountain
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-yah-mah
    Kanji: 西山
18. Nishino
    Meaning: West plain
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-noh
    Kanji: 西野
19. Nakashima
    Meaning: Middle island
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-shee-mah
    Kanji: 中嶋
20. Nomura
    Meaning: Field village
    Pronunciation: Noh-moo-rah
    Kanji: 野村
21. Nishimoto
    Meaning: West origin
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-moh-toh
    Kanji: 西本
22. Nakamoto
    Meaning: Middle origin
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-moh-toh
    Kanji: 中本
23. Nagata
    Meaning: Long rice field
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-tah
    Kanji: 永田
24. Nagao
    Meaning: Long tail
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-oh
    Kanji: 長尾
25. Nagano
    Meaning: Long plain
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-noh
    Kanji: 長野
26. Nagaoka
    Meaning: Long hill
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-oh-kah
    Kanji: 長岡
27. Nagatomi
    Meaning: Long friend
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-toh-mee
    Kanji: 永富
28. Nagasawa
    Meaning: Long swamp
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-sah-wah
    Kanji: 長沢
29. Nagashima
    Meaning: Long island
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-shee-mah
    Kanji: 長嶋
30. Nagayama
    Meaning: Long mountain
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-yah-mah
    Kanji: 永山
31. Nagatani
    Meaning: Long valley
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-tah-nee
    Kanji: 長谷
32. Nagahama
    Meaning: Long beach
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-hah-mah
    Kanji: 長浜
33. Naganuma
    Meaning: Long swamp
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-noo-mah
    Kanji: 長沼
34. Nagamine
    Meaning: Long peak
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-mee-neh
    Kanji: 長嶺
35. Nagakura
    Meaning: Long storehouse
    Pronunciation: Nah-gah-koo-rah
    Kanji: 永倉
36. Nakanishi
    Meaning: Middle of the west
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-nee-shee
    Kanji: 仲西
37. Nakanuma
    Meaning: Middle swamp
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-noo-mah
    Kanji: 中沼
38. Nakaoka
    Meaning: Middle hill
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-oh-kah
    Kanji: 中岡
39. Nakashita
    Meaning: Under the middle
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-shee-tah
    Kanji: 中下
40. Nakatsuka
    Meaning: Middle mound
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-tsoo-kah
    Kanji: 中塚
41. Nakayama
    Meaning: Middle hill
    Pronunciation: Nah-kah-yah-mah
    Kanji: 仲山
42. Narusawa
    Meaning: Sound swamp
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-sah-wah
    Kanji: 鳴沢
43. Naruse
    Meaning: Sound current
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-seh
    Kanji: 鳴瀬
44. Narusawa
    Meaning: Ringing swamp
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-sah-wah
    Kanji: 成沢
45. Nishihara
    Meaning: West plain
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-hah-rah
    Kanji: 西原
46. Nishioka
    Meaning: West hill
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-oh-kah
    Kanji: 西岡
47. Nishizawa
    Meaning: West swamp
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-zah-wah
    Kanji: 西沢
48. Nishizaki
    Meaning: West cape
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-zah-kee
    Kanji: 西崎
49. Nishiura
    Meaning: West bay
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-oo-rah
    Kanji: 西浦
50. Nishiuchi
    Meaning: Inside the west
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-oo-chee
    Kanji: 西内
51. Nogawa
    Meaning: Field river
    Pronunciation: Noh-gah-wah
    Kanji: 野川
52. Nogami
    Meaning: Field above
    Pronunciation: Noh-gah-mee
    Kanji: 野上
53. Nokami
    Meaning: Field god
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah-mee
    Kanji: 野神
54. Nokawa
    Meaning: Field river
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah-wah
    Kanji: 野川
55. Noma
    Meaning: Field horse
    Pronunciation: Noh-mah
    Kanji: 野馬
56. Nomachi
    Meaning: Field town
    Pronunciation: Noh-mah-chee
    Kanji: 野町
57. Nomura
    Meaning: Field village
    Pronunciation: Noh-moo-rah
    Kanji: 野村
58. Nonaka
    Meaning: Field middle
    Pronunciation: Noh-nah-kah
    Kanji: 野中
59. Noro
    Meaning: Field road
    Pronunciation: Noh-roh
    Kanji: 野呂
60. Notake
    Meaning: Field bamboo
    Pronunciation: Noh-tah-keh
    Kanji: 野竹
61. Notani
    Meaning: Field valley
    Pronunciation: Noh-tah-nee
    Kanji: 野谷
62. Notomi
    Meaning: Field friend
    Pronunciation: Noh-toh-mee
    Kanji: 野富
63. Notsuka
    Meaning: Field mound
    Pronunciation: Noh-tsoo-kah
    Kanji: 野塚
64. Nouchi
    Meaning: Inside the field
    Pronunciation: Noh-oo-chee
    Kanji: 野内
65. Nozaki
    Meaning: Field cape
    Pronunciation: Noh-zah-kee
    Kanji: 野崎
66. Nozawa
    Meaning: Field swamp
    Pronunciation: Noh-zah-wah
    Kanji: 野沢
67. Numa
    Meaning: Swamp
    Pronunciation: Noo-mah
    Kanji: 沼
68. Numata
    Meaning: Swamp rice field
    Pronunciation: Noo-mah-tah
    Kanji: 沼田
69. Numazaki
    Meaning: Swamp cape
    Pronunciation: Noo-mah-zah-kee
    Kanji: 沼崎
70. Numata
    Meaning: Swamp paddy
    Pronunciation: Noo-mah-tah
    Kanji: 沼端
71. Nuno
    Meaning: Cloth
    Pronunciation: Noo-noh
    Kanji: 布
72. Nunomura
    Meaning: Cloth village
    Pronunciation: Noo-noh-moo-rah
    Kanji: 布村
73. Nunotani
    Meaning: Cloth valley
    Pronunciation: Noo-noh-tah-nee
    Kanji: 布谷

Nakamura (中村, middle village) is Japan’s third most common surname overall, carried by roughly 2.1 million people. The Naka (中, middle) root was applied when families settled in the geographic center of a settlement or district. The Nishi (西, west) surnames cluster in western Japan, particularly in the Kansai and Chugoku regions, while Naga (長, long) surnames reflect settlement along river courses or elongated valleys.

Rare Japanese Names Starting With N

Japan’s naming tradition runs deep into classical literature, Buddhist sutras, Shinto ritual, and court poetry — all of which preserve N names that have largely vanished from modern registries. These rare options offer profound meaning and genuine uniqueness for anyone seeking something beyond the popular charts. Enthusiasts of rare and unique Japanese names will find this section particularly rewarding.

1. Narukami
   Meaning: Thundering god
   Pronunciation: Nah-roo-kah-mee
   Kanji: 鳴神
2. Natsuhiko
   Meaning: Summer prince
   Pronunciation: Naht-soo-hee-koh
   Kanji: 夏彦
3. Negai
   Meaning: Wish, prayer
   Pronunciation: Neh-gah-ee
   Kanji: 願
4. Nemuro
   Meaning: Sleeping room
   Pronunciation: Neh-moo-roh
   Kanji: 根室
5. Nerima
   Meaning: Kneaded genuine
   Pronunciation: Neh-ree-mah
   Kanji: 練馬
6. Niobe
   Meaning: Two parts
   Pronunciation: Nee-oh-beh
   Kanji: 二部
7. Nobezane
   Meaning: Faithful truth seed
   Pronunciation: Noh-beh-zah-neh
   Kanji: 信実
8. Nobufusa
   Meaning: Faithful room
   Pronunciation: Noh-boo-foo-sah
   Kanji: 信房
9. Nobumichi
   Meaning: Way of faith
   Pronunciation: Noh-boo-mee-chee
   Kanji: 信通
10. Nobunari
    Meaning: Faithful achievement
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-nah-ree
    Kanji: 信成
11. Nobuoki
    Meaning: Faithful and rising
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-oh-kee
    Kanji: 信興
12. Nobuzane
    Meaning: Faithful truth
    Pronunciation: Noh-boo-zah-neh
    Kanji: 信実
13. Nokami
    Meaning: Field deity
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah-mee
    Kanji: 野神
14. Nokaze
    Meaning: Field wind
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah-zeh
    Kanji: 野風
15. Nokiba
    Meaning: Eave of the field
    Pronunciation: Noh-kee-bah
    Kanji: 軒端
16. Nomichi
    Meaning: Field path
    Pronunciation: Noh-mee-chee
    Kanji: 野路
17. Norihide
    Meaning: Excellent law
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-hee-deh
    Kanji: 範英
18. Norisada
    Meaning: Loyal doctrine
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-sah-dah
    Kanji: 則貞
19. Noritoyo
    Meaning: Prosperous rule
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-toh-yoh
    Kanji: 典豊
20. Noriyori
    Meaning: Doctrine depending
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-yoh-ree
    Kanji: 範頼
21. Nubatama
    Meaning: Black jewel
    Pronunciation: Noo-bah-tah-mah
    Kanji: 射干玉
22. Nue
    Meaning: Night bird
    Pronunciation: Noo-eh
    Kanji: 鵺
23. Nunakawa
    Meaning: Sand river
    Pronunciation: Noo-nah-kah-wah
    Kanji: 沼名川
24. Nunome
    Meaning: Cloth bud
    Pronunciation: Noo-noh-meh
    Kanji: 布目
25. Nusatori
    Meaning: Silk bird
    Pronunciation: Noo-sah-toh-ree
    Kanji: 盗鳥
26. Nusubitodaka
    Meaning: Thief hawk
    Pronunciation: Noo-soo-bee-toh-dah-kah
    Kanji: 盗人鷹
27. Narutaka
    Meaning: Resounding height
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-tah-kah
    Kanji: 鳴高
28. Naruya
    Meaning: Resounding arrow
    Pronunciation: Nah-roo-yah
    Kanji: 鳴矢
29. Nasuno
    Meaning: Summer plain
    Pronunciation: Nah-soo-noh
    Kanji: 那須野
30. Nataraki
    Meaning: Plain standing
    Pronunciation: Nah-tah-rah-kee
    Kanji: 那平
31. Natsuo
    Meaning: Summer man
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-oh
    Kanji: 夏夫
32. Natsuoki
    Meaning: Summer rising
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-oh-kee
    Kanji: 夏興
33. Natsutaro
    Meaning: First summer son
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-tah-roh
    Kanji: 夏太郎
34. Nawashiro
    Meaning: Seed bed
    Pronunciation: Nah-wah-shee-roh
    Kanji: 苗代
35. Nayotake
    Meaning: Supple bamboo
    Pronunciation: Nah-yoh-tah-keh
    Kanji: 細竹
36. Nazuna
    Meaning: Shepherd’s purse
    Pronunciation: Nah-zoo-nah
    Kanji: 薺
37. Nebari
    Meaning: Rooted strength
    Pronunciation: Neh-bah-ree
    Kanji: 根張
38. Nebi
    Meaning: Root beauty
    Pronunciation: Neh-bee
    Kanji: 根美
39. Negishi
    Meaning: Root shore
    Pronunciation: Neh-gee-shee
    Kanji: 根岸
40. Nehana
    Meaning: Root flower
    Pronunciation: Neh-hah-nah
    Kanji: 根花
41. Nehiro
    Meaning: Root broad
    Pronunciation: Neh-hee-roh
    Kanji: 根広
42. Neito
    Meaning: Sound person
    Pronunciation: Neh-ee-toh
    Kanji: 音人
43. Nejime
    Meaning: Root isle
    Pronunciation: Neh-jee-meh
    Kanji: 根占
44. Nekoma
    Meaning: Rooted horse
    Pronunciation: Neh-koh-mah
    Kanji: 根駒
45. Nemoto
    Meaning: Root origin
    Pronunciation: Neh-moh-toh
    Kanji: 根本
46. Nenari
    Meaning: Sound achievement
    Pronunciation: Neh-nah-ree
    Kanji: 音成
47. Netaro
    Meaning: Root eldest son
    Pronunciation: Neh-tah-roh
    Kanji: 根太郎
48. Netsu
    Meaning: Heat, fervor
    Pronunciation: Neh-tsoo
    Kanji: 熱
49. Niboshi
    Meaning: Two stars
    Pronunciation: Nee-boh-shee
    Kanji: 二星
50. Nichirin
    Meaning: Sun circle
    Pronunciation: Nee-chee-reen
    Kanji: 日輪
51. Nigatsu
    Meaning: February
    Pronunciation: Nee-gah-tsoo
    Kanji: 二月
52. Nigorikawa
    Meaning: Turbid river
    Pronunciation: Nee-goh-ree-kah-wah
    Kanji: 濁川
53. Nihachi
    Meaning: Two eights
    Pronunciation: Nee-hah-chee
    Kanji: 二八
54. Nihama
    Meaning: Two beaches
    Pronunciation: Nee-hah-mah
    Kanji: 二浜
55. Nihei
    Meaning: Two peace
    Pronunciation: Nee-heh-ee
    Kanji: 二平
56. Niho
    Meaning: Two treasures
    Pronunciation: Nee-hoh
    Kanji: 二宝
57. Niichi
    Meaning: Two ones
    Pronunciation: Nee-ee-chee
    Kanji: 二一
58. Niitsu
    Meaning: New harbor
    Pronunciation: Nee-ee-tsoo
    Kanji: 新津
59. Niizuma
    Meaning: New wife
    Pronunciation: Nee-ee-zoo-mah
    Kanji: 新妻
60. Nikaidou
    Meaning: Two steps road
    Pronunciation: Nee-kye-doh
    Kanji: 二階堂
61. Nikaido
    Meaning: Second hall
    Pronunciation: Nee-kye-doh
    Kanji: 二階堂

Several of these rare names come directly from classical Japanese poetry anthologies like the Man’yoshu (万葉集), compiled in the 8th century. Names like Nubatama (the black jewel, a poetic pillow word for night and darkness) and Nue (the mythical night bird of the Heike Monogatari) carry literary weight that makes them instantly recognizable to educated Japanese readers — and completely invisible to others.

Japanese Anime and Manga Names Starting With N

Anime and manga have introduced millions of global fans to Japanese N names. From Naruto’s villages full of N-named characters to the poetic names of Ghibli heroines, these fictional choices often blend authentic kanji with narrative symbolism that makes them memorable far beyond Japan’s borders. Many parents worldwide now choose these names for children, connecting to Japanese culture through the stories they love. For a broader look at cool name choices shaped by this tradition, see our guide to cool Japanese names with meanings.

1. Naruto
   Meaning: Maelstrom (Naruto)
   Pronunciation: Nah-roo-toh
   Kanji: 鳴門
2. Nagisa
   Meaning: Water’s edge (Clannad, Free!)
   Pronunciation: Nah-gee-sah
   Kanji: 渚
3. Nami
   Meaning: Wave (One Piece)
   Pronunciation: Nah-mee
   Kanji: 波
4. Nezuko
   Meaning: Snowball flower (Demon Slayer)
   Pronunciation: Neh-zoo-koh
   Kanji: 禰豆子
5. Noa
   Meaning: My love (various)
   Pronunciation: Noh-ah
   Kanji: 乃愛
6. Nobita
   Meaning: Extended field (Doraemon)
   Pronunciation: Noh-bee-tah
   Kanji: 伸太
7. Nami
   Meaning: Beautiful wave (various)
   Pronunciation: Nah-mee
   Kanji: 奈美
8. Nanami
   Meaning: Seven seas (various)
   Pronunciation: Nah-nah-mee
   Kanji: 七海
9. Nausicaa
   Meaning: Burning ship (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind)
   Pronunciation: Nah-oo-shee-kah
   Kanji: ナウシカ
10. Neji
    Meaning: Screw (Naruto)
    Pronunciation: Neh-jee
    Kanji: ネジ
11. Nico
    Meaning: Victory people (Love Live)
    Pronunciation: Nee-koh
    Kanji: 二コ
12. Nino
    Meaning: Two fields (The Quintessential Quintuplets)
    Pronunciation: Nee-noh
    Kanji: 二乃
13. Nobara
    Meaning: Wild rose (Jujutsu Kaisen)
    Pronunciation: Noh-bah-rah
    Kanji: 野薔薇
14. Nona
    Meaning: Nine (Death Parade)
    Pronunciation: Noh-nah
    Kanji: ノーナ
15. Nono
    Meaning: Wildflower (various)
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh
    Kanji: 野々
16. Nora
    Meaning: Stray (Noragami)
    Pronunciation: Noh-rah
    Kanji: ノラ
17. Nozomi
    Meaning: Hope (Love Live)
    Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-mee
    Kanji: 希
18. Nue
    Meaning: Night bird (Nurarihyon no Mago)
    Pronunciation: Noo-eh
    Kanji: 鵺
19. Numahachi
    Meaning: Eight swamps (historical anime)
    Pronunciation: Noo-mah-hah-chee
    Kanji: 沼八
20. Naoko
    Meaning: Honest child (Norwegian Wood)
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-koh
    Kanji: 直子
21. Naomi
    Meaning: Honest beauty (various)
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-mee
    Kanji: 直美
22. Naoya
    Meaning: Honest clear (various)
    Pronunciation: Nah-oh-yah
    Kanji: 直哉
23. Natsume
    Meaning: Jujube (Natsume’s Book of Friends)
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-meh
    Kanji: 夏目
24. Natsuki
    Meaning: Summer hope (various)
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-kee
    Kanji: 夏希
25. Natsuno
    Meaning: Summer field (Shiki)
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo-noh
    Kanji: 夏野
26. Nayuta
    Meaning: Immeasurable (various)
    Pronunciation: Nah-yoo-tah
    Kanji: 那由他
27. Nemu
    Meaning: Sleeping beauty (Bleach)
    Pronunciation: Neh-moo
    Kanji: 睡
28. Nero
    Meaning: Root (Black Clover)
    Pronunciation: Neh-roh
    Kanji: ネロ
29. Nia
    Meaning: Two arrows (Gurren Lagann)
    Pronunciation: Nee-ah
    Kanji: ニア
30. Nichika
    Meaning: Sun fragrance (various)
    Pronunciation: Nee-chee-kah
    Kanji: 日香
31. Niina
    Meaning: Two greens (various)
    Pronunciation: Nee-ee-nah
    Kanji: 仁依奈
32. Niji
    Meaning: Rainbow (various)
    Pronunciation: Nee-jee
    Kanji: 虹
33. Nishiki
    Meaning: Brocade (various)
    Pronunciation: Nee-shee-kee
    Kanji: 錦
34. Noboru
    Meaning: Rising (various classic anime)
    Pronunciation: Noh-boh-roo
    Kanji: 昇
35. Nodoka
    Meaning: Tranquil (Puella Magi)
    Pronunciation: Noh-doh-kah
    Kanji: 野暢
36. Noe
    Meaning: Beyond the shore (True Tears)
    Pronunciation: Noh-eh
    Kanji: 乃絵
37. Nonon
    Meaning: Field sound (Kill la Kill)
    Pronunciation: Noh-nohn
    Kanji: 野々
38. Noriko
    Meaning: Child of law (Aim for the Ace!)
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree-koh
    Kanji: 典子
39. Nozomi
    Meaning: Wish (various)
    Pronunciation: Noh-zoh-mee
    Kanji: 望
40. Nyaruko
    Meaning: Crawling chaos (Haiyore! Nyaruko-san)
    Pronunciation: Nyah-roo-koh
    Kanji: ニャル子

Nezuko from Demon Slayer became one of the most widely recognised Japanese N names globally following the series’ explosion in popularity during 2019 and 2020. The name is written with the kanji for ne (禰, ancestral shrine) and zu (豆, bean), combining into an old-fashioned feminine name tied to Taisho-era Japan. Its phonetic warmth made it feel tender and distinctive at the same moment.

Short Japanese Names Starting With N

Short Japanese N names — one or two syllables — carry maximum meaning in minimum space. They travel easily across languages, making them ideal for families with international connections. Names like Noa, Nami, Nao, and Nei have found fans in Korea, Southeast Asia, and Western countries alike. These pair naturally with the Japanese baby names parents seek for their gentle, universal sound.

1. Nao
   Meaning: Honest
   Pronunciation: Nah-oh
   Kanji: 直
2. Noa
   Meaning: My love
   Pronunciation: Noh-ah
   Kanji: 乃愛
3. Nami
   Meaning: Wave
   Pronunciation: Nah-mee
   Kanji: 波
4. Nei
   Meaning: Peaceful
   Pronunciation: Neh-ee
   Kanji: 寧
5. Nene
   Meaning: Sound sound
   Pronunciation: Neh-neh
   Kanji: 音音
6. Niji
   Meaning: Rainbow
   Pronunciation: Nee-jee
   Kanji: 虹
7. Nori
   Meaning: Rule
   Pronunciation: Noh-ree
   Kanji: 則
8. Noe
   Meaning: Shore
   Pronunciation: Noh-eh
   Kanji: 乃絵
9. Nora
   Meaning: Field
   Pronunciation: Noh-rah
   Kanji: 野良
10. Nana
    Meaning: Seven
    Pronunciation: Nah-nah
    Kanji: 七
11. Nino
    Meaning: Two fields
    Pronunciation: Nee-noh
    Kanji: 二乃
12. Nika
    Meaning: Two flowers
    Pronunciation: Nee-kah
    Kanji: 二花
13. Nina
    Meaning: Two greens
    Pronunciation: Nee-nah
    Kanji: 二菜
14. Niru
    Meaning: To look like
    Pronunciation: Nee-roo
    Kanji: 似る
15. Noa
    Meaning: Gentle field
    Pronunciation: Noh-ah
    Kanji: 野亜
16. Noha
    Meaning: Field leaf
    Pronunciation: Noh-hah
    Kanji: 野葉
17. Noka
    Meaning: Field blossom
    Pronunciation: Noh-kah
    Kanji: 野花
18. Nome
    Meaning: Field bud
    Pronunciation: Noh-meh
    Kanji: 野芽
19. Nono
    Meaning: Wildflower
    Pronunciation: Noh-noh
    Kanji: 野々
20. Nora
    Meaning: Wild
    Pronunciation: Noh-rah
    Kanji: 野ら
21. Nori
    Meaning: Seaweed
    Pronunciation: Noh-ree
    Kanji: 海苔
22. Noru
    Meaning: To ride
    Pronunciation: Noh-roo
    Kanji: 乗
23. Nosa
    Meaning: Field sand
    Pronunciation: Noh-sah
    Kanji: 野砂
24. Noto
    Meaning: Peninsula
    Pronunciation: Noh-toh
    Kanji: 能登
25. Noya
    Meaning: Field arrow
    Pronunciation: Noh-yah
    Kanji: 野矢
26. Noyu
    Meaning: Field tenderness
    Pronunciation: Noh-yoo
    Kanji: 野優
27. Nuha
    Meaning: Cloth leaf
    Pronunciation: Noo-hah
    Kanji: 布葉
28. Nuka
    Meaning: Bran
    Pronunciation: Noo-kah
    Kanji: 糠
29. Numa
    Meaning: Swamp
    Pronunciation: Noo-mah
    Kanji: 沼
30. Nuno
    Meaning: Cloth
    Pronunciation: Noo-noh
    Kanji: 布
31. Nuru
    Meaning: To paint, to coat
    Pronunciation: Noo-roo
    Kanji: 塗る
32. Natsu
    Meaning: Summer
    Pronunciation: Naht-soo
    Kanji: 夏
33. Naho
    Meaning: True treasure
    Pronunciation: Nah-hoh
    Kanji: 菜穂
34. Nayu
    Meaning: Honest tenderness
    Pronunciation: Nah-yoo
    Kanji: 直優
35. Naho
    Meaning: Honest sail
    Pronunciation: Nah-hoh
    Kanji: 那帆

Short Japanese N names gained global traction through Japanese media exports in the 2000s. Names like Noa and Nami — easily pronounced in English, Spanish, Korean, and Mandarin — crossed cultural borders without needing translation or modification. Japan’s rising Noa became the country’s most popular girl name in 2022 according to Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance’s annual baby name survey, demonstrating that short, universally accessible names represent a sustained naming trend in Reiwa-era Japan.

Why Japanese N Names Carry Such Emotional Depth

The Japanese N sound opens at the front of the mouth with softness and warmth. In the Japanese phonetic system, the nasal n is among the most resonant consonants — appearing in words for wave (nami), summer (natsu), sound (ne), root (ne), field (no), and faith (nobu). This phonetic cluster means N names literally sound like the natural and emotional world Japanese culture prizes most highly.

• Na names (Nao, Nami, Nanami) carry honesty and the sea — values of clarity and natural beauty.
• No names (Noboru, Nobunaga, Noriko) carry faith, rule, and ascent — values of loyalty and virtue.
• Natsu names (Natsuki, Natsumi, Natsuho) carry the Japanese reverence for summer — its warmth, abundance, and fleeting beauty.
• Ne names (Nene, Neiro, Nemuro) connect to sound, root, and stillness — a more contemplative naming register.
• Ni names (Niji, Nina, Nino) carry the number two and the rainbow — symmetry, hope, and gentle duality.

Regional variation shapes N names across Japan’s geography as well. Okinawa preserves older Ryukyuan N names absent from mainland registers. The Tohoku region uses Naga surnames at higher rates than central Japan, reflecting long river valleys that defined family territories. Tokyo-area families trend toward the shorter, crisper N names that feel modern and international — Noa, Noa, Nei — while Kyoto families still favour the classical Noriko and Nobuko that echo centuries of court culture.

Choosing the Right Japanese N Name

A Japanese name is rarely chosen for sound alone. The kanji selected for an N name determine its written form, its stroke count in traditional fortune-telling (seimei handan), and the cultural signal it sends in Japan’s layered social contexts. Parents who want a name that works both internationally and within Japan often choose N names for their phonetic clarity and kanji depth simultaneously. The guide to Japanese names with meanings offers practical advice on balancing these factors.

• Match the rhythm to your surname. A short surname like Noda pairs naturally with a longer given name like Natsumi or Nobuhiro. A long surname like Nakamura pairs better with a shorter given name like Nao or Noa.
• Check the jinmeiyou kanji list. Japan’s government maintains an approved list of kanji for personal names. All kanji in an officially registered name must appear on this list.
• Consider reading ambiguity. Some N kanji combinations have multiple possible readings. Naoki could theoretically be read Naogi or Chokuju by someone unfamiliar with the name. Choose kanji where the intended reading is clear.
• Think about nickname potential. Natsumi naturally shortens to Natsu. Nobuhiro shortens to Nobu. These built-in nicknames are a mark of well-structured Japanese names.
• Honour the season if applicable. Japanese families sometimes choose names that reference the season of birth. A summer baby suits Natsuki, Natsumi, or Natsuha. An autumn baby suits Nijika or Nishiki.