Common Japanese First Names: Trends, Meanings, and 2017’s Favorites

When it comes to baby names in Japan, popularity rankings aren’t just about timeless classics—parents keep a keen eye on cultural events, sports teams, and even pop culture when selecting names for their newborns. Every year, several organizations (including Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance) publish most common baby name lists, offering insights into current trends. This article dives into how these rankings work, what influenced 2017’s top choices, and the deeper significance behind each name’s kanji and pronunciation.

Why Track Popular Baby Names in Japan?

Cultural Significance

• In Japanese culture, names carry weighty meanings. Kanji (Chinese characters) used in a name can represent desired traits (e.g., “courage,” “wisdom,” “beauty”).
• Annual name rankings reflect shifts in society—sporting achievements, pop-culture fads, or historical events that capture national attention.

The Role of Surveys

• Organizations like Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance gather data from birth registrations or insurance policies. They then analyze how frequently certain names or kanji appear.
• These results help highlight which names are trending and why. For example, a successful sports team might spark a surge in names referencing that team’s moniker.

2017 Trends: The Influence of Successful Sports Teams

In 2017, one major naming trend involved high-profile Japanese sports teams that shone globally. Parents often look to these teams’ nicknames or symbolic elements for inspiration.

Case in Point:

• The women’s hockey team known as “Sakura Japan” performed brilliantly on the world stage. This success drove “Sakura” to the top of the popular pronunciation rankings for girls.

This phenomenon isn’t limited to sports—some years see a spike in names related to popular anime, newly released movies, or national idols.

Top Kanji Characters of 2017 (Meiji Yasuda Seimei Survey)

Below are the five most popular kanji for boys and girls in 2017. Each kanji set can be read in multiple ways, highlighting the versatility of Japanese naming.

Boys’ Names (Kanji + Meaning + Example Pronunciations)

1. 悠真
   • Meaning: “permanence, calm” (悠) + “truth” (真)
   • Pronunciations: Yuma, Haruma
2. 悠人
   • Meaning: “permanence, calm” (悠) + “human/person” (人)
   • Pronunciations: Yuto, Haruto
3. 陽翔
   • Meaning: “the Sun, yang” (陽) + “soar” (翔)
   • Pronunciations: Haruto, Akito
4. 湊
   • Meaning: “harbor, port”
   • Pronunciations: Minato, So
5. 蓮
   • Meaning: “lotus”
   • Pronunciation: Ren

Why These Kanji Matter

• 悠 suggests tranquility or unhurried timelessness.
• 陽 references sunshine or positivity (yin-yang concept).
• 翔 (soar/fly) evokes ambition or freedom.
• 湊 (harbor) can imply a safe place or gathering point.
• 蓮 (lotus) carries spiritual significance in East Asian cultures.

Girls’ Names (Kanji + Meaning + Example Pronunciations)

1. 結菜
   • Meaning: “bond, tie” (結) + “greens” (菜)
   • Pronunciations: Yuna, Yuina
2. 咲良
   • Meaning: “blossom” (咲) + “goodness” (良)
   • Pronunciations: Sakura, Sara
3. 陽葵
   • Meaning: “the Sun, yang” (陽) + “hollyhock” (葵)
   • Pronunciations: Himari, Hina
4. 莉子
   • Meaning: “white jasmine” (莉) + “child” (子)
   • Pronunciation: Riko
5. 芽依
   • Meaning: “sprout, bud” (芽) + “due to / therefore” (依)
   • Pronunciation: Mei

Additional Notes

• 結 (yui/musubu) often symbolizes connecting people or forming relationships.
• 葵 (aoi) is a popular plant-based kanji that can also hint at bright positivity.
• 芽 (me) references new growth, making it a common choice for spring-born girls or parents hoping for a flourishing future.

Top Pronunciations vs. Top Kanji

Sometimes, the most popular pronunciations differ from the most popular kanji forms. Japanese parents may pick a sound like “Haruto” but choose different character sets to express it. Each year, Meiji Yasuda Seimei also releases the top 5 or 10 pronunciations—even if the exact kanji vary widely.

Boys: 5 Popular Pronunciations in 2017

1. Haruto
   • Example Kanji:
     • 春士 (spring + warrior)
     • 波流都 (wave + flow + city)
     • 悠人 (mentioned above)
   • Reflects an energetic or hopeful vibe.
2. Sota
   • Example Kanji:
     • 奏多 (play instruments + many)
     • 爽太 (refreshing + big)
     • 蒼大 (blue/green + large)
3. Yuto (ゆうと)
   • Example Kanji:
     • 優人 (kind/gentle + person)
     • 勇士 (brave + samurai/warrior)
     • 友音 (friend + sound/music)
4. Haruki
   • Example Kanji:
     • 晴喜 (clear weather + joy)
     • 遙輝 (distant + shine)
     • 春樹 (spring + tree) (Famous novelist Haruki Murakami uses this combination.)
5. Riku
   • Example Kanji:
     • 陸久 (land + eternity)
     • 龍空 (dragon + sky/space)
     • 璃来 (lapis lazuli + come/future)

Girls: 5 Popular Pronunciations in 2017

1. Sakura (さくら)
   • Example Kanji:
     • 桜 (cherry blossom)
     • 櫻 (cherry tree, older form)
     • 沙久羅 (sand + eternity + silk)
     • さくら (hiragana version)
2. Yui (ゆい)
   • Example Kanji:
     • 夢衣 (dream + clothing)
     • 祐生 (help + life)
     • 唯愛 (only + love)
3. Akari (あかり)
   • Example Kanji:
     • 明里 (bright/clear + village)
     • 緋李 (scarlet + plum)
     • 愛華莉 (love + splendor/flower + white jasmine)
     • あかり (hiragana form)
4. Hana (はな)
   • Example Kanji:
     • 花華 (flower + splendor) — though reading might vary
     • 栄奈 (glory + big tree) — if read as “Hana,” quite creative
     • 羽夏 (feather + summer)
5. Mei (めい)
   • Example Kanji:
     • 夢依 (dream + rely)
     • 恵良 (blessing + goodness)
     • 芽依 (sprout + rely)
   • Katakana version: メイ
     • In My Neighbor Totoro, the character Mei’s name is spelled in katakana. Interestingly, “Mei” can also be related to the English month “May,” while her sister “Satsuki” literally means “May” in Japanese.

Conclusion: Evolving Patterns and Future Trends

Japanese naming customs evolve each year. Some highlights from 2017 include:

1. Sports Influence:
   • “Sakura” soared in popularity thanks to Japan’s women’s hockey team, demonstrating how events like the World Cup can impact name rankings.
2. Multiple Kanji Options:
   • Each name’s meaning can shift dramatically based on the chosen characters (e.g., Haruto might emphasize “sun + soar” or “spring + warrior”).
3. Cultural Exchange:
   • Western references occasionally creep in, but many parents still favor nature-based kanji or characters symbolizing virtues.

As the years roll on, new inspirations—be it from sports, popular manga/anime, or global events—will continue shaping which names top the charts. For non-Japanese speakers, exploring these name trends offers a window into Japan’s cultural heartbeat—where a simple name can encapsulate a vibrant story of tradition, aspiration, and modern flair.

Reference: 明治安田生命の「２０１７年生まれの子供の名前」