Top 100 Anime Boy Names With Meanings

Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Feb 16, 2024 By Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Originally Published on Nov 01, 2020
Edited by Monisha Kochhar
Naruto, Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha
Age: 0-99
Read time: 8.7 Min

Anime is not entertainment, but a phenomenon that has branched out all around the globe from Japan.

It is art, culture, and entertainment amalgamated into one. Hence, it isn't unnatural to find someone named after a beloved anime character.

There is a wide variety of anime names with not just Japanese origin. Many are given English names as well as unique names from different origins.  If you're an otaku (one obsessed with anime) or a weeb (one who lives, breathes, eats everything Japanese, including anime), then you might be planning to raise your newborn son as a full-blown anime character. You can start by giving him the name of your favorite anime boys. We present a list of the top 100 anime names with meanings to help you get started from several boy anime or other kinds of anime characters.

For more character-inspired names, check out Star Wars Names and Void Elf Names.

Popular Anime Boy Names

Statue of  Monkey D. Luffy

Here's a comprehensive list of the best and most popular male anime names for your boy which you'll love:  

1. Akatsuki (Japanese origin), meaning "red moon," is an infamous criminal organization in 'Naruto'.

2. Akira (Japanese origin), meaning "bright", is a great anime name for a boy if you love the movie.

3. Alex (Greek origin) meaning "defender of man." A popular name due to Alex Louis Armstrong from 'Fullmetal Alchemist', known as "The Strong Arm Alchemist."

4. Alphonse (German origin), meaning "ready for battle". From Alphonse Elric from 'Fullmetal Alchemist'.

5. Ash (English origin) meaning "of the ash tree". From Ash Ketchum from 'Pokemon'.

6. Astro (Greek origin), meaning "of the stars," A well-loved character from the Japanese TV Series, 'Astroboy'.

7. Bolt (Anglo-Saxon origin), meaning "small farm". Short form of Boruto, the son of Naruto.

8. Brock (English origin), meaning "badger-like," from 'Pokemon'.

9. Cloud (American origin), meaning "visible vapor" from an anime game series called 'Final Fantasy'.

10. Daiki (Japanese origin), meaning "shining" from Daiki Aomine from 'Kuroko no Basuke'.

11. Daisuke (Japanese origin), meaning "great," is Daisuke Kambe, one of the main characters from 'Fugou Keiji Balance: Unlimited'.

12. Dante (Latin origin), meaning "enduring" from anime video game series 'Devil May Cry'.

13. Edward (English origin), meaning "wealthy guard" from Edward Elric, the protagonist of 'Fullmetal Alchemist'.

14. Elric (English origin), meaning "king" from Elric brothers, a great middle anime name for a boy.

15. Hayate (Japanese origin), meaning "smooth" from 'Hayate, The Combat Butler'.

16. Hideaki (Japanese origin), meaning "excellent,"from Hideaki Anno, a Japanese animator known for his anime series 'Neon GenesisEvangelion'.

17. Hideo (Japanese origin), meaning "excellent man" is Hideo Shimada from 'Kiseijuu'.

18. Hikaru (Japanese origin), meaning "pioneer" from 'Hikaru no Go'.

19. Hiro (Spanish origin), meaning "sacred name" is Hiro Mashima, creator of 'Fullmetal Alchemist'.

20. Ichigo (Japanese origin), meaning "strawberry," from the most popular male anime characters from 'Bleach'.

21. Isamu (Japanese origin), meaning "courage," from the vintage anime series 'Kōya no Shōnen Isamu'.

22. Itachi (Japanese origin), meaning "weasel," one of the most popular cool anime characters in the history of anime.

23. Kohaku (Japanese origin), meaning "amber," is Sango's brother in 'Inuyasha'.

24. Kouki (Japanese origin), meaning "happiness" from Japanese voice actor Kōuki Uchiyama, known for dubbing various anime characters.

25. Kouta (Japanese origin), meaning "peace", name of the protagonist Kouta Oyamada in 'Kanokon'.

26. Kuro (Japanese origin), meaning "black", the Japanese title of'Black Butler'or 'Kuroshitsuji'.

27. Inuyasha (Japanese origin), meaning "dog demon", name of the main anime character in 'Inuyasha'.

28. Jiraya (Japanese origin), meaning "young thunder", from 'Naruto: Shippuden'.

29. Light (Greek origin), meaning "white", protagonist Light Yagami in 'Death Note'.

30. Levi (Hebrew origin), meaning "joined together," is the strongest characters from the anime 'Attack On Titan'.

31. Makoto (Japanese origin), meaning "good" is the name of genius manga artist Makoto Shinkai.

32. Masashi (Japanese origin), meaning "commander, is the name of Masashi Kishimoto, creator of 'Naruto'.

33. Naruto (Japanese origin) meaning "fish cake", name of Naruto Uzumaki in 'Naruto'.

34. Noburu (Japanese origin), meaning "expand", from 'Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora'.

35. Okasaki (Japanese origin) surname of a Japanese boy Tomoya Okasaki, from Clannad.

36. Osamu (Japanese origin), meaning "discipline". From Osamu Tezuka, the writer of the 'Buddha'Series.

37. Roy (Irish origin), meaning "red," is one of the most celebrated characters in 'Fullmetal Alchemist'.

38. Ryoichi (Japanese origin), meaning "good", name of Japanese anime artist Ryoichi Ikegami.

39. Ryuu (Japanese origin) meaning "dragon" is one of the anime characters in 'Akagami No Shirayukihime'.

40. Sailor (American origin), meaning "boatman," comes from the most famous anime 'Sailor Moon'.

41. Seiji (Japanese origin), meaning "lawful" is Seiji Amasawa from Hayao Miyazaki's film 'Whisper of the Heart'.

42. Shikamaru (Japanese origin), meaning "as a deer" is one of the main anime characters in 'Naruto'.

43. Shinichi (Japanese origin), meaning "one truth", is the protagonist of 'Parasyte Maxim'.

44. Tanjiro (Japanese origin), meaning "high-valued second son," is the beautiful sounding name of the protagonist in 'Demon Slayer'.

45. Tatsuya (Japanese origin), meaning"to achieve," is the name of Shiba Tatsuya from 'The Irregular in Magic High School'.

46. Tohru (Japanese origin), meaning "persistent"  or "clear," is a character in 'Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon'.

47. Toshiro (Japanese origin) meaning "talented" or  "intelligent" is one of the main anime characters in 'Bleach'.

Unique Anime Boy Names

A collection of figurines from One Piece

There are many unique boy names in anime too. Here is a list of the best unique anime boy names to name your little 'musuko' (son in Japanese) after.

48. Aoi (Japanese origin), meaning "hollyhock flower", is one of the most beautiful anime boy names popularized by the 'Naruto' opening theme 'Aoi no Sora'.

49. Arata (Japanese origin), meaning "fresh' or 'new", the title of an anime series 'Arata: The Legend'.

50. Bradley (English origin), meaning 'broad wood,' name of Fuhrer Bradley from 'Fullmetal Alchemist'.

51. Cygnus (Latin origin), meaning "swan," name of Cynus Hyoga from 'Saint Seiya'.

52. Dai (Welsh origin), meaning "large" or "to shine," is a Japanese anime video game series name called 'Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai'.

53. Etsuko (Japanese origin), meaning "joy," is a Japanese singer who sang openings for countless popular Anime openings. It is one of the cute anime names.

54. Gohan (Japanese origin), meaning "cooked rice" is Goku's son in 'Dragon Ball Z'.

55. Goku (Japanese origin), meaning "aware of emptiness," the main character of 'Dragon Ball Z'.

56. Hachirou (Japanese origin), meaning "eighth son", is a character from 'Gintama'.

57. Haru (Japanese origin), meaning "born in the spring", name of Haru Yoshida from 'Tonari no Kaibutsu-Kun'.

58. Haruki (Japanese origin), meaning "shining brightly," name of Haruki Nakayama from 'Haruki Nakayama'.

59. Haruto (Japanese origin), meaning "sunlight", one of the anime characters from 'Shichisei no Subaru'.

60. Hiashi (Japanese origin), meaning "long-lived," name of Hiashi Hyuga from 'Naruto'.

61. Hiroshi (Japanese origin), meaning "generous," name of Hiroshi Kamiya, known for voicing Levi Ackerman from 'Attack on Titan'.

62. Hiroto (Japanese origin), meaning "esteem," name of the main anime characterKazama Hirotofrom 'Kirarin Revolution'.

63. Hiroyuki (Japanese origin), meaning "peace and harmony", name of a Japanese composer Hiroyuki Sawano, known for his notable contribution to anime.

64. Hotaka (Japanese origin), meaning "tall," is the main character in 'Absolute Duo'.

65. Hotaru (Japanese origin), meaning "firefly," is Hotaru Shidare from 'Dagashi Kashi Wikia'.

66. Ito (Japanese origin), meaning "yarn," name of Junji Ito known for his notable horror anime works.

67. Jiro (Japanese origin), meaning "second son," surname of Kyoka Jiro from 'My Hero Academia'.

68. Jugo (Japanese origin), meaning "tenth son", is an anime character in 'Naruto'.

69. Juro (Japanese origin), meaning "tenth son", name of Uchiha Juro from the anime movie 'Naruto: Fallen Blades'.

70. Kaito (Japanese origin), meaning "ocean," is named a manga series 'Magic Kaito'.

71. Kaneki (Japanese origin), meaning "money," is Kaneki Ken in 'Tokyo Ghoul'.

72. Kanon (French origin), meaning "an official of the church" is the title of an anime series.

73. Kakashi (Japanese origin), meaning "scarecrow," is Team 7's sensei Kakashi Hatake in 'Naruto'.

74. Katsuyu (Japanese origin), meaning "divide" is a slug summoned in 'Naruto'.

75. Katsuo (Japanese origin), meaning "victory" is Kurogoma Katsuo from 'Gintama'.

76. Kazuki (Japanese origin), meaning "peaceful tree." is Kazuki Kazami from 'Grisaia no Kajitsu'.

77. Ken (Japanese origin), meaning"healthy" is the surname of Kaneki Ken from 'Tokyo Ghoul'.

78. Kiyoshi (Japanese origin), meaning "bright" name of Kiyoshi Fujino from 'Prison School'.

79. Katsura (Japanese origin), meaning "victory" name of Kotarou Katsura from 'Gintama'.

80. Kenta (Japanese origin), meaning "healthy" one of the main characters in 'Chibi Vampire'.

81. Kiyoshi (Japanese origin), meaning "bright and shining," one of the anime characters Kiyoshi Fujino from 'Prison School'.

82. Lawliet (English origin), meaning "lost one" surname of L. Lawliet from 'Death Note'.

83. Michi (Japanese origin), meaning "righteous way," is a Japanese anime series, 'Kemono Michi'.

84. Migi (Japanese origin), meaning "right," name of an alien parasite in 'Parasyte: Maxim'.

85. Mikio (Japanese origin) meaning "tree," is Mikio Ikemoto, a Japanese anime artist.

86. Mitsuki (Japanese origin), meaning "three months," is Boruto's best friend in 'Boruto'.

87. Moon (American origin), meaning "satellite," appears in the title of the most famous anime series 'Sailor Moon'.

88. Natsu (Japanese origin), meaning "born in summer," one of the main characters of 'Fairy Tail'.

89. Raiden (Japanese origin), meaning "thunder and lightning," is a character in 'Metal Gear'.

90. Rio (Spanish origin), meaning "river," is 'Rio: Rainbow Gate!'.

91. Shun (Japanese origin), meaning "speed," name of Shun Aonuma from 'Shin Sekai Yori'.

92. Sora (Japanese origin), meaning "sky," is Sora's name in 'Yosuga no Sora'.

93. Souta (Japanese origin), meaning "suddenly", is Kagome's younger brother in 'Inuyasha'.

94. Taichi (Japanese origin) one of the main characters in'Digimon'.

95. Taiki (Japanese origin), meaning "radiance" or "shine," is an anime character in The 'Twelve Kingdoms'.

96. Taro (Japanese origin), meaning "big boy," is a character named Tarō Sado from 'MM!'.

97. Sasuke (Japanese origin), meaning "help," is one of the protagonists in 'Naruto'.

98. Yuichi (Japanese origin), meaning "kind one," name of Yuichi Aizawa who is the protagonist of 'Kanon'.

99. Yuri (Russian origin), meaning "farmer," name of the anime title 'Yuri on Ice'.

100. Yuuki (Japanese origin), meaning "gentle hope," name of Konno Yuuki from 'Sword Art Online'.

Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Anime Boy Names then why not take a look at Gender-Neutral Japanese Names, or for something different take a look at Haitian Last Names.

Main image credit: FerryNuryaman / Shutterstock.com

Article image credit:  enchanted_fairy / Shutterstock.com

Second article image credit: Nuntiya / Shutterstock.com

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Written by Rajnandini Roychoudhury

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

Rajnandini Roychoudhury picture

Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature. 

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