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26,551 first names, 70,620 last names, 333,585 kanji variations.
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Japanese boy(male) nameJapanese unisex nameZen
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare This PageCopy Zen

  • Gender:Male
  • Hiraganatip:ぜん
  • Katakanatip:ゼン
  • English Syllablestip:zen (1)
  • Japanese Moraetip:ze-n (2)
  • English transcriptionstip:Zen, Zenn
  • Nickname examplestip:

    Zenchan(ぜんちゃん)Click to speech ぜんちゃんZenkun(ぜんくん)Click to speech ぜんくんZentan(ぜんたん)Click to speech ぜんたん

This name is considered unisex, but it's more commonly used for boys. Japanese girl(female) nameSee the girls' version here.

This name is also used as a surname: Family name / Last nameZen

Kanji Names & Meanings - 12 variations

In Japanese culture, kanji are characters that originated from Chinese script, and the meaning of a name changes depending on the kanji characters chosen. The more variations of kanji a name has, the more common it is in Japan. Conversely, a name with very few kanji variations is considered unique and rare. Below are the kanji variations for "Zen," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.

Introduction to how Japanese names work

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- Zen -

21
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare禅 - Zen -Copy 禅

means "zen, meditation, abdicate."

  • Zen - A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition.

  • Meditation - Deep Contemplation; focused mental discipline.

  • Abdicate - To give up the throne (historical meaning).

  • Abdication - The act of giving up a position of power or authority, such as a throne.

Name ideas examples

  • Zen - Zen - A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and in - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of zen throughout life.

  • Meditation - Depth represents profundity, thorough understanding, and solid foundation. May your child develop depth of character and understanding.

  • Abdicate - Abdicate - To give up the throne (historical meaning) - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of abdicate throughout life.

  • Abdication - Strength represents resilience, capability, and the power to overcome. May your child develop strength of body, mind, and character.

- Zen -

13
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare善 - Zen -Copy 善

means "good, excellent, kind."

Name ideas examples

  • Good - Goodness is the foundation of all virtue, the light that guides moral action. May your child be truly good, their goodness lighting the way for others.

  • Excellent - Excellence represents the pursuit of the highest quality in all endeavors. May your child pursue excellence in all they do, always striving for their best.

  • Kind - Kindness represents compassion, consideration, and gentle treatment. May your child be kind to all they meet.

  • Admirable, Praiseworthy - Admirable/Praiseworthy - Deserving of admiration or respect - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of admirable/praiseworthy throughout life.

  • Fortunate, Prosperous - Being fortunate/prosperous represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be fortunate/prosperous, letting this quality guide their path.

  • Harmonious, Friendly - Harmonious/Friendly - Being in harmony or having a friendly relationship - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of harmonious/friendly throughout life.

  • Respectable, Noble - Respect (敬) is fundamental to Japanese social harmony, honoring the dignity of all beings. May your child show and earn respect, honoring others while being worthy of honor themselves.

- Zen -

7
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare全 - Zen -Copy 全

means "all, complete, whole."

Name ideas examples

  • All - All represents completeness, wholeness, and embracing the totality of existence. May your child embrace all of life—its joys and sorrows—with a whole and complete heart.

  • Complete - Completing represents fulfillment, wholeness, and thorough accomplishment. May your child complete their tasks and fulfill their purpose.

  • Whole - Whole - Undivided; full - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of whole throughout life.

  • Accomplish, Achieve - Accomplishment represents achievement, completion, and the satisfaction of finishing. May your child accomplish great things, completing what they set out to do.

- Zen -

3
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare桟 - Zen -Copy 桟

means "pier, bridge, shelf."

  • Pier - A platform extending over water.

  • Bridge - A plank walkway.

  • Shelf - A horizontal surface for storage.

  • Crossbar - A horizontal piece of wood used to prevent a board from sliding.

  • Enclosure - A fence used to keep livestock.

  • Frame - A structural support.

Name ideas examples

  • Pier - Pier represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the pier's dedication and skill in their life's work.

  • Bridge - Bridges connect what is separated, overcoming obstacles and creating union. May your child be a bridge-builder, connecting people and overcoming divisions.

  • Shelf - Shelf - A horizontal surface for storage - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of shelf throughout life.

  • Crossbar - The crossbar represents connection, stability, and joining elements. May your child create stable connections.

  • Enclosure - Enclosures represent protection, defined space, and secure boundaries. May your child create safe enclosures for what they treasure.

  • Frame - Frame - A structural support - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of frame throughout life.

- Zen -

2
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare繕 - Zen -Copy 繕

means "mend, repair, arrange."

Name ideas examples

  • Mend - Mend - To Repair; to fix what is broken - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of mend throughout life.

  • Repair - Repairing represents restoration, healing, and making whole again. May your child repair relationships and restore what is broken.

  • Arrange - Arrangement represents order, organization, and creating harmony from elements. May your child arrange their life well, creating order and harmony.

  • Copy, Duplicate - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.

  • Govern, Rule - Governance represents ordered rule, wise administration, and care for those led. May your child govern themselves first, then lead others with wisdom and care.

  • Prepare - Prepare - To make ready; to set in order - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of prepare throughout life.

  • Strengthen, Fortify - Strength includes not just physical power, but the inner fortitude to endure and persevere. May your child have strength of body, mind, and spirit to face all of life's challenges.

- Zen -

1
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare前 - Zen -Copy 前

means "front, before, previous."

  • Front - The forward part.

  • Before - Earlier in time.

  • Previous - Coming before.

  • Ahead - In advance.

  • Allocation - The amount or portion assigned to someone. For example, three servings of food.

  • Guide - Something that leads or guides.

  • Honorific - A title of respect used to refer to a noble person.

  • Past - Something that happened in the past.

Name ideas examples

  • Front - Front represents courage, leadership, and the willingness to face challenges directly. May your child have the courage to be at the front, facing life's challenges head-on.

  • Before - Before - Earlier in time - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of before throughout life.

  • Previous - Being previous represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be previous, letting this quality guide their path.

  • Ahead - Ahead - In advance - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of ahead throughout life.

  • Allocation - Numbers represent order, measure, and the foundation of understanding. May your child understand the importance of what can and cannot be counted.

  • Guide - Guiding represents leadership, wisdom, and helping others find their way. May your child guide others with wisdom and compassion.

  • Honorific - Honorifics reflect respect, social harmony, and proper recognition of others. May your child both earn and give respect appropriately throughout life.

  • Past - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.

- Zen -

1
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare泉 - Zen -Copy 泉

means "spring, source, afterlife."

Name ideas examples

  • Spring - Spring represents renewal, new beginnings, and the awakening of life after dormancy. May your child carry spring's energy of renewal, beginning each day with fresh hope.

  • Source - Source - The Origin; the beginning - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of source throughout life.

  • Afterlife - Afterlife - The world of the dead - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of afterlife throughout life.

- Zen -

1
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare漸 - Zen -Copy 漸

means "gradually, slowly, eventually."

Name ideas examples

  • Gradually - Gradually - Step by step; progressively - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of gradually throughout life.

  • Slowly - Slowness represents care, thoroughness, and the wisdom of not rushing. May your child take time to do things well, patient and thorough in all endeavors.

  • Eventually - Eventually - In due time; finally - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of eventually throughout life.

  • Beginning - Beginning represents the courage to start, the first step of every journey. May your child have the courage to begin, taking first steps toward great destinations.

  • Immerse - Immerse - To become completely submerged in a liquid - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of immerse throughout life.

  • Moisten - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.

  • Progress - Conflict teaches the value of peace and the courage to stand firm. May your child fight for what is right and seek peace when possible.

  • River Flowing Into the Sea - Rivers symbolize the continuous flow of life, perseverance, and the journey toward the sea. May your child's life flow steadily like a river, carving their own path with quiet determination.

  • Sign of Something Happening - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.

  • Soak - Soak - To become saturated with a liquid - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of soak throughout life.

  • Steep Mountain - The steep mountain represents challenging climbs and hard-won heights. May your child conquer life's steep challenges.

- Zen -

1
Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare禪 - Zen -Copy 禪

means "zen, abdicate, ritual."

Name ideas examples

  • Zen - Zen - Buddhist meditation - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of zen throughout life.

  • Abdicate - Abdicate - To give up the throne - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of abdicate throughout life.

  • Ritual - Being ritual represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be ritual, letting this quality guide their path.

  • Ceremony of Offering the Land - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.

  • To Relinquish - The act of relinquish represents purposeful action and the will to make a difference. May your child relinquish with wisdom and purpose, making a positive difference in the world.

- Zen -

Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShare然 - Zen -Copy 然

means "so, natural, burn."

Name ideas examples

  • So - So - In that manner; thus - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of so throughout life.

  • Natural - Being natural represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be natural, letting this quality guide their path.

  • Burn - Fire represents passion, transformation, and purifying energy. May your child burn with passion for worthy causes.

  • Affirmation, Agreement - Affirmation/Agreement represents an important condition or result. May your child experience positive affirmation/agreement throughout life.

  • Connective - Connection represents the bonds that link people, ideas, and communities together. May your child connect deeply with others, building bridges of understanding.

  • State - State represents condition, status, and the current circumstance of being. May your child maintain a good state of mind, body, and spirit.

ぜん- Zen -

Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShareぜん - Zen -Copy ぜん

Uses phonetic hiragana/katakana characters without inherent meaning.

ゼン- Zen -

Click to speech ぜんAdd to First Names FavoritesShareゼン - Zen -Copy ゼン

Uses phonetic hiragana/katakana characters without inherent meaning.

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