Japanese Names That Work In The UK?

[Charlotteee123]

Hi, I'm half-Japanese (grew up in the UK) and DH is Japanese (grew up in Japan). We are looking for names that work in both countries/languages.

For a boy

The only half Japanese half English boy I know is called Ken. Think it might be Kensuke in full but he was always known as Ken by his family.

Akira, Hiro, Kenji, Takashi.

Yoshi.

There is a little Kai at our nursery which seems simple enough? Or Hiro?

I know a couple - one English/one Japanese that named their boy Neo, but not sure if that is a Japanese name.

I love Hatori

I think most Japanese names work in the uk! Just watch out for names that sound similar to English words (like the examples in a post above)

It's also probably easier for you both to come up with names you like and then ask if they are ok as we might suggest things that wouldn't work because they remind you of something else in Japan (like Naruto/Sasuke - nice names but I instantly think of the anime) 😄

Akira
Kenichiro
Junichi
Takeshi
Yoshi

I would probably avoid names like Shinsuke because English speakers might struggle with the correct pronounciation of the -suke ending

I know someone called Tomoki, obviously shortened to Tom. I've always liked it

Kai

I have a Gen, and friends' boys are names like Dan, Den, Kaz (Kazuki), Sean (Shun), Riki, Kai, Yoshi, Leo (Reo)...etc.

Hana?

Hana is a girl's name

In Japan? Sorry, ignore me in that case.

I know a Miko from an English speaking family and I think that's a Japanese name too? But I have no idea if for a boy!

Matsuri works well - Mat or Matty for short

Sorry, just seen spelling mistake - should have been Matsuro!

Kei is better than Kai which has been ruined by the Rooneys!

Miho. The Miho I know is the nicest person ever!

Whoops, got carried away. Miho is a girl's name !

I used to know a chap called Ryo, but when he introduced himself he pronounced it more like Rio. If you don't mind dodgy pronunciation, that might work.

I like Akiko

Kenji

I love the name Kyo for a boy. It might be worth looking at some Japanese manga for some inspiration for names.

I know three boys named Akira. Lovely name. And Hiro is a great name.