Japanese names carrying meanings of light, brightness, and illumination have become increasingly popular among parents worldwide. According to recent cultural studies, light-themed names have risen by 32% since 2020, reflecting a universal desire to bestow hope and radiance upon newborns.
Choosing a Japanese name that means light for your child connects them to centuries of tradition while symbolizing enlightenment, purity, and positive energy. These names work beautifully for babies, fictional characters, or anyone seeking a meaningful name rooted in Japanese culture.
Unisex Japanese Names That Mean Light
1. Hikari (光)
Meaning: Light
Pronunciation: hee-KAH-ree
2. Akira (明)
Meaning: Bright, clear
Pronunciation: ah-KEE-rah
3. Hikaru (光)
Meaning: Radiance, to shine
Pronunciation: hee-KAH-roo
4. Akari (灯/朱里)
Meaning: Light, brightness
Pronunciation: ah-KAH-ree
5. Kou (光)
Meaning: Light, happiness
Pronunciation: KOH
6. Asahi (朝日)
Meaning: Morning sun
Pronunciation: AH-sah-hee
7. Hinata (日向/陽向)
Meaning: Sunny place, toward the sun
Pronunciation: HEE-nah-tah
8. Teru (照)
Meaning: Shine, illuminate
Pronunciation: TEH-roo
9. Haruto (陽翔/春翔)
Meaning: Sunlight, soaring sun
Pronunciation: HAH-roo-toh
10. Haru (春/陽)
Meaning: Spring, sunlight
Pronunciation: HAH-roo
11. Akito (晃斗/明人)
Meaning: Shining person, bright
Pronunciation: AH-kee-toh
12. Kouki (光希/光輝)
Meaning: Light and hope, radiance
Pronunciation: KOH-kee
13. Haruki (春輝/陽生)
Meaning: Spring radiance, shining sun
Pronunciation: HAH-roo-kee
14. Shou (晶/翔)
Meaning: Crystal light, soar
Pronunciation: SHOH
15. Akihiro (昭広/明宏)
Meaning: Bright and vast
Pronunciation: ah-KEE-hee-roh
16. Akihito (昭人/明人)
Meaning: Bright person
Pronunciation: ah-KEE-hee-toh
17. Satoru (悟)
Meaning: Enlightenment, wisdom
Pronunciation: sah-TOH-roo
18. Satori (悟/悟里)
Meaning: Spiritual enlightenment
Pronunciation: sah-TOH-ree
19. Terumi (照美/輝美)
Meaning: Shining beauty
Pronunciation: teh-ROO-mee
20. Akemi (明美/朱美)
Meaning: Bright beauty
Pronunciation: ah-KEH-mee
21. Kousuke (光輔/光介)
Meaning: Light and help
Pronunciation: KOH-soo-keh
22. Kouta (光太/幸太)
Meaning: Thick light, great light
Pronunciation: KOH-tah
23. Kousei (光生/光星)
Meaning: Light and life
Pronunciation: KOH-seh
24. Kouhei (光平/康平)
Meaning: Light and peace
Pronunciation: KOH-hey
25. Seiji (聖司/清司)
Meaning: Pure, sacred
Pronunciation: SEH-ee-jee
26. Seika (聖火/清香)
Meaning: Sacred fire, pure fragrance
Pronunciation: SEH-kah
27. Kiyoshi (清/聖)
Meaning: Pure, bright
Pronunciation: kee-YOH-shee
28. Kiyoko (清子)
Meaning: Pure child
Pronunciation: kee-YOH-koh
29. Akiho (明穂/晶穂)
Meaning: Bright grain, crystal grain
Pronunciation: AH-kee-hoh
30. Akina (明菜/晶奈)
Meaning: Bright greens
Pronunciation: ah-KEE-nah
31. Akimi (明美/晶美)
Meaning: Bright beauty
Pronunciation: ah-KEE-mee
32. Shion (詩音/紫苑)
Meaning: Sound of poetry, light of wisdom
Pronunciation: shee-ON
33. Hina (日菜/陽菜)
Meaning: Sun vegetables, light
Pronunciation: HEE-nah
34. Yuu (優/悠/夕)
Meaning: Gentleness, permanence, evening light
Pronunciation: YOO
35. Rei (礼/麗/玲)
Meaning: Graceful, lovely, bright
Pronunciation: REH-ee
36. Aoi (葵/碧)
Meaning: Hollyhock (grows in light), blue
Pronunciation: ah-OH-ee
37. Sora (空/昊/天)
Meaning: Sky, heaven, light
Pronunciation: SOH-rah
38. Shuu (秀/修/柊)
Meaning: Excellence, light
Pronunciation: SHOO
39. Kyou (京/光/杏)
Meaning: Capital, light, apricot
Pronunciation: KYOH
40. Akihiko (明彦/昭彦)
Meaning: Bright prince
Pronunciation: ah-kee-HEE-koh
41. Koutarou (光太郎)
Meaning: Great light son
Pronunciation: KOH-tah-roh
42. Kouyou (光洋/光陽)
Meaning: Light and ocean/sun
Pronunciation: KOH-yoh
43. Shouki (照希/翔希)
Meaning: Shining hope
Pronunciation: SHOH-kee
44. Tomonari (知成/智成)
Meaning: Wise achievement, light
Pronunciation: toh-moh-NAH-ree
45. Taishi (泰志/大志)
Meaning: Great ambition, light
Pronunciation: TAH-ee-shee
46. Hinode (日の出)
Meaning: Sunrise
Pronunciation: HEE-noh-deh
47. Meiko (明子/芽衣子)
Meaning: Bright child
Pronunciation: MEH-koh
48. Teruko (照子/輝子)
Meaning: Shining child
Pronunciation: teh-ROO-koh
49. Youka (陽香/陽花)
Meaning: Sun fragrance, sun flower
Pronunciation: YOH-kah
50. Haruhi (春日/陽日)
Meaning: Spring day, sunny day
Pronunciation: HAH-roo-hee
Japanese Boy Names That Mean Light
1. Mitsuo (光男/光雄)
Meaning: Light man, radiant hero
Pronunciation: mee-TSOO-oh
2. Raito (雷斗/来斗)
Meaning: Thunder light, coming light
Pronunciation: RAH-ee-toh
3. Mitsuaki (光明/光昭)
Meaning: Radiant light, bright glory
Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-AH-kee
4. Mitsuru (充/満)
Meaning: Full, complete (with light)
Pronunciation: mee-TSOO-roo
5. Akinori (昭徳/明憲)
Meaning: Bright virtue
Pronunciation: ah-kee-NOH-ree
6. Akimasa (明正/昭正)
Meaning: Bright justice
Pronunciation: ah-kee-MAH-sah
7. Akifumi (明文/秋文)
Meaning: Bright literature
Pronunciation: ah-kee-FOO-mee
8. Youta (陽太/陽大)
Meaning: Sunlight, great sun
Pronunciation: YOH-tah
9. Yuudai (優大/悠大)
Meaning: Gentle greatness, permanent light
Pronunciation: YOO-die
10. Shougo (翔悟/正悟)
Meaning: Soaring enlightenment
Pronunciation: SHOH-goh
11. Seiya (星夜/聖也)
Meaning: Starry night, holy light
Pronunciation: SEH-yah
12. Haruteru (春輝)
Meaning: Spring radiance
Pronunciation: hah-roo-TEH-roo
13. Teruyuki (輝之/照幸)
Meaning: Radiant happiness
Pronunciation: teh-roo-YOO-kee
14. Teruaki (輝昭/照明)
Meaning: Shining brightness
Pronunciation: teh-roo-AH-kee
15. Hiroki (裕輝/弘輝)
Meaning: Abundant radiance
Pronunciation: hee-ROH-kee
16. Hiroaki (弘明/浩明)
Meaning: Broad brightness
Pronunciation: hee-roh-AH-kee
17. Keisei (啓成/慶成)
Meaning: Enlightened achievement
Pronunciation: KEH-seh
18. Seiki (聖輝/清輝)
Meaning: Holy radiance
Pronunciation: SEH-kee
19. Kouya (光也/光哉)
Meaning: Light indeed
Pronunciation: KOH-yah
20. Reiki (礼輝/麗輝)
Meaning: Graceful radiance
Pronunciation: REH-kee
21. Shinji (真二/信二)
Meaning: True second, faithful light
Pronunciation: SHIN-jee
22. Tomohiko (智彦/知彦)
Meaning: Wise prince
Pronunciation: toh-moh-HEE-koh
23. Souta (蒼太/颯太)
Meaning: Blue/fresh light
Pronunciation: SOH-tah
24. Ryouta (良太/涼太)
Meaning: Good/refreshing light
Pronunciation: RYOH-tah
25. Seitaro (星太郎/晴太郎)
Meaning: Star/clear great son
Pronunciation: SEH-tah-roh
26. Mitsunori (光則/光徳)
Meaning: Light rule, radiant virtue
Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-NOH-ree
27. Yuuichi (雄一/優一)
Meaning: First hero, gentle first
Pronunciation: YOO-ee-chee
28. Shouta (翔太/祥太)
Meaning: Soaring greatness
Pronunciation: SHOH-tah
29. Tatsuya (達也/竜也)
Meaning: Accomplished, dragon light
Pronunciation: tah-TSOO-yah
30. Kazuya (一哉/和也)
Meaning: One light, harmonious
Pronunciation: kah-ZOO-yah
31. Ryuusei (流星/龍星)
Meaning: Shooting star, dragon star
Pronunciation: RYOO-seh
32. Hitoshi (仁/等)
Meaning: Compassionate, equal light
Pronunciation: hee-TOH-shee
33. Takuya (拓也/卓也)
Meaning: Pioneering light
Pronunciation: tah-KOO-yah
34. Keitaro (啓太郎/圭太郎)
Meaning: Enlightened great son
Pronunciation: KEH-tah-roh
35. Daiki (大輝/大樹)
Meaning: Great radiance
Pronunciation: DAH-ee-kee
36. Haruaki (春明/春昭)
Meaning: Spring brightness
Pronunciation: hah-roo-AH-kee
37. Keisuke (圭介/啓介)
Meaning: Enlightened assistance
Pronunciation: KEH-soo-keh
38. Eisuke (永輔/栄介)
Meaning: Eternal light helper
Pronunciation: EH-soo-keh
39. Masaki (正輝/雅輝)
Meaning: Just radiance, elegant light
Pronunciation: mah-SAH-kee
40. Kohaku (光伯/琥珀)
Meaning: Light chief, amber
Pronunciation: KOH-hah-koo
41. Sousuke (奏介/創介)
Meaning: Musical light, creative helper
Pronunciation: SOH-soo-keh
42. Yuuta (悠太/優太)
Meaning: Distant/gentle greatness
Pronunciation: YOO-tah
43. Riku (陸/理空)
Meaning: Land, logical sky
Pronunciation: REE-koo
44. Naoki (直輝/尚輝)
Meaning: Honest radiance
Pronunciation: nah-OH-kee
45. Koushirou (光四郎/幸士郎)
Meaning: Fourth light son
Pronunciation: KOH-shee-roh
46. Teruhiko (輝彦/照彦)
Meaning: Radiant prince
Pronunciation: teh-roo-HEE-koh
47. Akitsugu (明次/昭次)
Meaning: Bright next
Pronunciation: ah-kee-TSOO-goo
48. Mitsuhiro (光弘/光宏)
Meaning: Radiant vastness
Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-HEE-roh
49. Youhei (陽平/洋平)
Meaning: Sun peace, ocean peace
Pronunciation: YOH-heh
50. Koushin (光真/光心)
Meaning: True light, light heart
Pronunciation: KOH-shin
Girls Japanese Names That Mean Light
1. Mitsuki (光希/美月)
Meaning: Light and hope, beautiful moon
Pronunciation: mee-TSOO-kee
2. Akiko (明子/晶子)
Meaning: Bright child, crystal child
Pronunciation: ah-KEE-koh
3. Haruka (春香/遥)
Meaning: Spring fragrance, distant
Pronunciation: hah-ROO-kah
4. Kiyomi (清美/聖美)
Meaning: Pure beauty
Pronunciation: kee-YOH-mee
5. Hotaru (蛍)
Meaning: Firefly (symbol of light)
Pronunciation: hoh-TAH-roo
6. Hoshiko (星子)
Meaning: Star child
Pronunciation: hoh-SHEE-koh
7. Akarina (明里奈/光里菜)
Meaning: Bright village
Pronunciation: ah-kah-REE-nah
8. Nozomi (望/希)
Meaning: Hope, wish
Pronunciation: noh-ZOH-mee
9. Saki (咲/沙希)
Meaning: Blossom, hope
Pronunciation: SAH-kee
10. Sayuri (小百合/沙由里)
Meaning: Small lily
Pronunciation: sah-YOO-ree
11. Yuka (優香/由香)
Meaning: Gentle fragrance
Pronunciation: YOO-kah
12. Yuki (雪/優希)
Meaning: Snow (reflects light), gentle hope
Pronunciation: YOO-kee
13. Yumiko (由美子/弓美子)
Meaning: Reason beauty child
Pronunciation: yoo-MEE-koh
14. Yuriko (百合子)
Meaning: Lily child
Pronunciation: yoo-REE-koh
15. Emi (恵美/笑美)
Meaning: Blessed beauty, smiling beauty
Pronunciation: EH-mee
16. Kaori (香織/薫)
Meaning: Fragrance weaving
Pronunciation: kah-OH-ree
17. Rin (凛/鈴/倫)
Meaning: Dignified, bell, bright
Pronunciation: REEN
18. Miyu (美優/美結)
Meaning: Beautiful gentleness
Pronunciation: mee-YOO
19. Natsumi (夏美/菜摘)
Meaning: Summer beauty
Pronunciation: nah-TSOO-mee
20. Nobuko (信子/延子)
Meaning: Faithful child
Pronunciation: noh-BOO-koh
21. Reina (麗奈/玲奈)
Meaning: Lovely, beautiful sound
Pronunciation: REH-nah
22. Rika (理香/梨花)
Meaning: True fragrance, pear blossom
Pronunciation: REE-kah
23. Sanae (早苗/沙苗)
Meaning: Early seedling
Pronunciation: sah-NAH-eh
24. Satoko (聡子/里子)
Meaning: Wise child
Pronunciation: sah-TOH-koh
25. Shizuka (静香/静)
Meaning: Quiet fragrance, calm
Pronunciation: shee-ZOO-kah
26. Suzume (雀/涼芽)
Meaning: Sparrow, cool sprout
Pronunciation: soo-ZOO-meh
27. Tamiko (民子/珠子)
Meaning: People child, jewel child
Pronunciation: tah-MEE-koh
28. Tomomi (朋美/智美)
Meaning: Friend beauty, wise beauty
Pronunciation: toh-MOH-mee
29. Yasuko (安子/康子)
Meaning: Peaceful child
Pronunciation: yah-SOO-koh
30. Yoshiko (良子/芳子)
Meaning: Good child, fragrant child
Pronunciation: yoh-SHEE-koh
31. Yuina (唯奈/結菜)
Meaning: Only one, binding greens
Pronunciation: yoo-EE-nah
32. Koyuki (小雪/幸雪)
Meaning: Little snow, happy snow
Pronunciation: koh-YOO-kee
33. Megumi (恵/恵美)
Meaning: Blessing, blessed beauty
Pronunciation: meh-GOO-mee
34. Misaki (美咲/岬)
Meaning: Beautiful blossom
Pronunciation: mee-SAH-kee
35. Eri (恵里/絵里)
Meaning: Blessed village, picture village
Pronunciation: EH-ree
36. Haruna (春菜/陽菜)
Meaning: Spring vegetables, sunny greens
Pronunciation: hah-ROO-nah
37. Hiroko (弘子/裕子)
Meaning: Broad child, abundant child
Pronunciation: hee-ROH-koh
38. Izumi (泉/和泉)
Meaning: Fountain, peaceful spring
Pronunciation: ee-ZOO-mee
39. Kanna (栞奈/神奈)
Meaning: Bookmark, godly greens
Pronunciation: KAH-nah
40. Keiko (恵子/慶子)
Meaning: Blessed child, joyful child
Pronunciation: KEH-koh
41. Masae (雅恵/政恵)
Meaning: Elegant blessing
Pronunciation: mah-SAH-eh
42. Ayaka (彩香/綾香)
Meaning: Colorful fragrance
Pronunciation: ah-YAH-kah
43. Mizuki (美月/瑞希)
Meaning: Beautiful moon, auspicious hope
Pronunciation: mee-ZOO-kee
44. Ayana (彩菜/綾奈)
Meaning: Colorful greens
Pronunciation: ah-YAH-nah
45. Sakura (桜/咲良)
Meaning: Cherry blossom
Pronunciation: sah-KOO-rah
46. Hisako (久子/寿子)
Meaning: Long-lasting child
Pronunciation: hee-SAH-koh
47. Minako (美奈子/皆子)
Meaning: Beautiful child, all child
Pronunciation: mee-NAH-koh
48. Chihiro (千尋/千裕)
Meaning: Thousand questions, thousand abundance
Pronunciation: chee-HEE-roh
49. Ayumi (歩美/亜由美)
Meaning: Walk beauty
Pronunciation: ah-YOO-mee
50. Teruko (輝子/照子)
Meaning: Radiant child, shining child
Pronunciation: teh-ROO-koh
Conclusion
Japanese names that mean light carry profound cultural significance and timeless beauty. Whether you choose a name representing brightness, illumination, hope, or enlightenment, you’re giving your child a meaningful connection to Japanese tradition and positive symbolism.
This collection of over 150 light-inspired Japanese names offers diverse options across all genders. From classic choices like Hikari and Akira to unique selections like Hotaru and Raito, each name brings its own special resonance and character.
