82 Ainu Names With Meanings and Incredible Histories

Aashita Dhingra
Jan 15, 2024 By Aashita Dhingra
Originally Published on Jun 15, 2022
Edited by Ashima Jain
Fact-checked by Naman Khanna
List of traditional Ainu names in the Ainu language would sometimes feature known Ainu Town names and Ainu pet names.

Ainu baby names in the Sakhalin Ainu language are extremely popular among many parents residing in Hokkaido.

Among the Ainu people in Hokkaido, the Sakhalin Ainu language is widely used across Japan by parents who also search for interesting Ainu names for children.

While the law from the government in Tokyo made it mandatory for every living Ainu human to have a second Japanese name, it did not reduce the importance of Ainu language that is still a crucial part of the country.

Ainu Last Names

The population of the indigenous people of Ainu is said to be around 25,000 in total. Some of the last names that Ainu people use in the Ainu language are:

Anchikar (Ainu origin), meaning ‘evening', is one of the famous last names used by the indigenous people in the Ainu culture. It is a popular native Ainu name in this part of the human world.

Kamui (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god', is one of the powerful last names in the traditional Ainu culture.

Morueran (Ainu origin), meaning ‘small slope', is one of the famous Ainu culture’s last names.

Naiporo (Ainu origin), meaning ‘bridge over the stream', can be used as the last name in the Ainu culture. This name is well popular among children across Hokkaido.

Nitai (Ainu origin), meaning ‘forest', is an adorable last name in the Ainu culture.

Nupurpet (Ainu origin), meaning ‘muddy river', is a cute last name in the Ainu culture.

Petkotan (Ainu origin), meaning ‘river village', refers to a river in the village in the Sakhalin Ainu language. A popular name for children across Hokkaido.

Ponkotan (Ainu origin), meaning ‘small town', is common in Ainu culture and often used by people living in small and big cities.

Rusut (Ainu origin), meaning ‘end of the road', is a famous last name in the Ainu culture.

Satporopet (Ainu origin), meaning ‘dry river', is the last name in Ainu culture.

Shikot (Ainu origin), meaning ‘large valley', is common among Ainu population. A popular name in the Ainu language across Japan used by a large number of people.

Toya (Ainu origin), meaning ‘pond shore', is one of the popular last names used in the Ainu culture. A common name in the Ainu language across Hokkaido, Japan.

Upash (Ainu origin), meaning ‘snow', is one of the cutest last names used in the Ainu culture across the world.

Ainu Girl Names

The Ainu babies are named traditionally at the age of four to nine in a ceremony. They do not use unisex names. So, the people of Ainu name their babies by gender.

Below are some of the girl baby names that Ainu people prefer to name their girl babies. They are:

Asir Rera (Ainu origin), meaning ‘new wind', is one of the native female names of an activist named Yamamichi Yasuko.

Ayai (Ainu origin), meaning ‘a baby’s cry', is considered a cute name in the Ainu culture across the world. A popular first name that many parents often use.

Beramonkoro (Ainu origin) is the Ainu name and is also the name of Sunazawa Bikky’s mother.

Chinita (Ainu origin) is the Ainu name that is used to refer to the daughter of Sunazawa Bikky.

Chiwash (Ainu origin), meaning ‘water goddess', is the name that can be given to your baby girl.

Esohrankemah (Ainu origin) is one of the native girls’ names that is given to Fujiyama Haru.

Esohranma (Ainu origin) is also a native name that is given to Fujiyama Haru’s mother.

Fuchi (Ainu origin), meaning ‘fire goddess', can be given to your baby girl that denotes the fire in them.

Fusa (Ainu origin) is the name of Fujiyama Haru’s eldest daughter.

Hashinau-Uk (Ainu origin), meaning ‘goddess of the hunt', can be given to your girl baby if you want her to become a warrior.

Horpecha (Ainu origin) is one of the cutest girl baby names in the Ainu culture.

Hotene (Ainu origin) is an adorable baby girl name in the Ainu culture.

Huisak (Ainu origin) can be used to name your baby girl. A popular first name that many parents often use.

Husko (Ainu origin), meaning ‘trustworthiness', best suits your baby if you need her to be of trustworthy character.

Irura (Ainu origin), meaning ‘Ainu goddess', is a cute name that can be used to refer to your Goddess baby girl.

Kamuy-huci (Ainu origin), meaning ‘goddess of the fire', is an adorable traditional name that can be used to refer to your baby girl.

Monashir (Ainu origin) is a native girl’s baby name in the Ainu culture.

Moshiri (Ainu origin), meaning ‘evil sub-aquatic goddess', refers to your baby girl if she is an aquatic lover.

Opere (Ainu origin) is a name given to the females who belong to the Ainu culture.

Pukusa (Ainu origin) is a different Ainu culture name that is used to name a girl baby.

Tekakunkemah (Ainu origin) is Take Asai’s mother’s name.

Tombe (Ainu origin), meaning ‘goddess of Moon', describes the due beauty of the moon and is referred a godly name.

Uari (Ainu origin), meaning ‘goddess of childbirth and labor pains', is a sweet name that can be used to name your baby girl.

Wakka-Ush (Ainu origin), meaning ‘water goddess', refers to the goddess of water that has the numerology number five.

Ainu Family Names

At the time of the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese forced the people of Ainu to adopt the native Japanese names (secondary) to be recognized as Japanese citizens. Due to this, most of the people of Ainu started adopting the Japanese culture, replacing their historical names and meanings.

Some of the family names of the Ainu people are:

Apasam-Kamuy (Ainu origin), meaning ‘the god of threshold', is used as a family name for protection.

Cikap-Kamuy (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god of lands and owls', is one of the Ainu family names according to Japanese mythology.

Harukor (Ainu origin), meaning ‘one who has food', is the Ainu meaning of Harukor.

Hitasho (Ainu origin) is a popular family name in the Ainu culture.

Kuuklekle (Ainu origin), meaning ‘people who make bows', is a famous family name in the Ainu culture.

Ancient Ainu Names

The ancient Ainu names are recognized as some of the popular names in the Ainu culture. Are you interested in knowing their family names? Please, make sure to check the list for their family names.

Aeoina (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god of culture', best suits your boy baby if you love the culture of Ainu.

Akihi (Ainu origin) can be used to refer to your baby boy.

Chup (Ainu origin), meaning ‘Sun god of Ainu', refers to the god who belongs to the sun.

Itakshir (Ainu origin) is an ancient name in the Ainu culture.

Kando-Koro (Ainu origin), meaning ‘supreme ruler', also refers to the Sky god.

Kanna (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god of the thunderstorm', can be used to name your boy baby that has the numerology number five.

Kotan (Ainu origin), meaning ‘owl god', has the numerology number seven, and best suits your boy baby.

Okikurmi (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god of hero and culture', can be used to name your boy baby if you are very much interested in Ainu culture.

Pasekur (Ainu origin) is one of the ancient names in the Ainu culture.

Pettennouk (Ainu origin) is one of the famous ancient names in the Ainu culture.

Resak (Ainu origin) is a popular ancient name in the Ainu culture.

Rukoro (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god of the male privy', is an adorable male baby name.

Sannyoaino (Ainu origin), meaning ‘someone who thinks', is the nickname that is used to refer to Toyooka Masanori.

Shiramba (Ainu origin), meaning ‘the vegetation god', can be used to name your boy baby.

Tarikonna (Ainu origin) was a famous ancient leader at the time of the Ainu rebellion in the year 1536.

Toacano (Ainu origin) is Sunazawa Bikky’s father.

Native Ainu Names

The native names play a vital role in naming your children. In the same way, the Ainu people started selecting their native names for their kids. Some of the native Ainu names are:

Ainu (Ainu origin), meaning ‘man or husband or person', is one of the native names used for a person from the Ainu culture.

Ash (Ainu origin), meaning ‘to stand', can be used for your baby.

Aterui (Ainu origin)is the name of the leader who was in the Ainu rebellion (780).

Atuy (Ainu origin), meaning ‘sea', is one of the native names in the Ainu culture.

Auta (Ainu origin)refers to Sunazawa Bikky’s youngest son.

Benkei (Ainu origin)is one of the native Ainu names and also the name of an Ainu man who met Saito Katsutoshi.

Bikki (Ainu origin), meaning ‘frog', is one of the native Ainu names in the Ainu culture.

Ekashi (Ainu origin), meaning ‘elder', is one of the respectful boy baby names in the Ainu culture.

Ekashiba (Ainu origin), meaning ‘the person who has the ability to do great things', is one of the native Ainu names in the Ainu culture.

Hennuauka (Ainu origin)was the name of the leader of the Ainu rebellion in the year 1643.

Kamuy (Ainu origin), meaning ‘god', is one of the powerful male baby names in the Ainu culture.

Koshamain (Ainu origin) was the name of a leader who was called, the leader of all Ainu of East.

Kotan (Ainu origin), meaning ‘village', is a native Ainu name.

Kur (Ainu origin), meaning ‘man or person', is a famous Ainu name.

Mennaukei (Ainu origin)refers to an alternative name for Hennuauka.

No (Ainu origin),meaning ‘to improve someone', can be used for your boy baby.

Oki (Ainu origin) is a native name of Ainu culture, and there is a famous musician named Oki, who is the son of Sunazawa Bikky.

Sahpo (Ainu origin) is the name of Take Asai’s father.

Setashi (Ainu origin), meaning ‘dung of a dog', is one of the native baby names in the Ainu culture.

Shontaku (Ainu origin), meaning ‘a lump of dung', is a popular native name in the Ainu culture.

Sisiratoka (Ainu origin)is a native name that is given to Hanamori Shinkichi.

Tahkonanna (Ainu origin)is a native name given to Take Asai.

Uk (Ainu origin), meaning ‘to take someone', is a great male baby name in the Ainu culture.

Yayomanekuh (Ainu origin) is the native name of Yamabe Yasunosuke.

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Sources

https://www.nisekotourism.com/blog/entry/ainu-language

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Written by Aashita Dhingra

Bachelors in Business Administration

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Aashita DhingraBachelors in Business Administration

Based in Lucknow, India, Aashita is a skilled content creator with experience crafting study guides for high school-aged kids. Her education includes a degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's Convent Inter College, which she leverages to bring a unique perspective to her work. Aashita's passion for writing and education is evident in her ability to craft engaging content.

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Fact-checked by Naman Khanna

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

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Naman KhannaBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

An English literature graduate from Delhi University, Naman's broad interests include mathematics, science, and social science. With his knowledge and expertise in multiple subjects, he is an asset to our fact-checking team. Naman is set to pursue his postgraduate degree in English literature soon.

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