There are some beautiful Japanese names to choose from and maybe you’ve heard a name before but are wondering what it means. Although many Japanese names sound beautiful, there are some that also have dark meanings.
Whether you’re specifically looking for a name with a darker meaning or wondering if the name you’ve found has a dark meaning. We have compiled a list of the top 200 Japanese names with dark meanings, for both boys and girls, for you to browse through.
200 Japanese names with dark meanings for boys and girls
100 Japanese boy names with dark meanings
Here are some Japanese names with dark meanings or themes for boys.
Aite: opponent
Aku: wickedness
Akuhei: abuse
Akuji: evil deed
Akujin: evil god
Akuma: Satan
Akumu: nightmare
Akutenshi: evil angels
Akuto: villain
Angu: dark
Ankoku: gloom
Antan: gloomy
Antantaru: gloomy
Anzen: black, unclear, or gloomy
Anzhong: in the dark
Ashi: evil
Botsugo: after death
Boutoku: blasphemy or cursed soul
Bushuugi: disaster, death, or sorrow
Chi: blood
Chousei: passing
Chuuyou: dying young
Daaku: dark
Dame: no good
Ebiru: evil
Ensei: going afar and death
Fuzen: mischief or sin
Hantai: oppose
Heifu: dying
Heifuu: evil
Heishi: falling dead
Higa: untrue and evil
Hotoke: a dead person
Hougyo: demise
Inei: dark or shadow
Inuyasha: dog demon
Itai: painful
Iya: dislike
Jashin: an evil or dark god
Jiko: trouble
Jisei: passing away
Kagai: harm
Kage: shadow
Kaijuu: a monster
Kakon: source of evil
Kakure: passing away
Kanashii: sad
Kiken: danger
Kirai: hate or dislike
Kisei: death
Kitanai: dirty
Koe: scary
Kowa: scary
Kowai: dreadful
Kuragari: darkness
Kurai: dark and gloomy
Kuraim: dark and gloomy
Kurashi: dark
Kurayami: darkness
Kureru: to get dark
Kuro: black
Kurogane: black metal
Kuroi: black
Kuroishi: black
Kuroppoi: dark
Kyoaku: a great evil
Kyou: bad luck
Kyuushi: sudden death
Maga: wickedness and disaster
Makeru: lose
Manote: evil influence
Mari: rebellion
Mazui: bad
Mei: dark
Mondai: problem
Monsuta: monster
Muzukashii: difficult
Namida: tear
Negatibu: negative
Nikushimi: hatred
Noushi: brain death
Orochi: large snake
Owari: end
Rei: zero
Satsujin: murder
Shi: death
Shoaku: evil
Suppai: sour
Taihen: awful
Warui: sinful
Yakedo: burn
Yaku: misfortune
Yami: darkness
Yamiyo: dark night
Yasha: night devil
Yokoshima: wicked
Yoru: dark
Youkai: spirit
Zannen: disappointing
Zenaku: evil
100 Japanese girl names with dark meanings
Here are some Japanese baby girl names with dark meanings or themes:
Agana: blood
Ahma: black rain
Ahmya: black rain
Akaoni: red-horned demon
Akeldama: the place of bloodshed
Akibimi: goddess of autumn
Akki: an evil thing or spirit
Akuhei: evil
Akumu: nightmare
Amanozako: monstrous goddess
Amaya: night rain
Amida: goddess of death
Aooni: blue demon
Baku: lion-headed ghost
Bukko: death
Chimi: mountain demon
Chiyo: bloody night
Daikokuten: god of darkness
Datenshi: fallen angel or Satan
Echidna: snake or viper
Eimin: the eternal sleep
Erai: terrible
Fuyu: born in winter
Hidoi: horrible
Hisa-Me: female demons of death
Inma: a demon appearing in a dream
Itami: pain
Ixqui: blood woman
Kaguya: shining night
Kaida: little dragon
Kaiki: death anniversary
Kanashii: sadness
Ki: ghost or demon
Kibi: monster and apparition
Kimera: ghost flame
Kishiyami: knight of the dark
Kiyohime: female serpent demon
Koko: night or black foot
Kubanda: a demon
Kumori: cloudy or shadow
Kurai: dark
Kurami: dark beauty
Kuroi: black
Lefu: sickness
Leiko: arrogant
Ma: devil, demon, or an evil or bad spirit
Mamono: demon, monster, or goblin
Mari: rebellion
Mayonaka: in the dead of night
Mika: the new moon
Muga: nothing
Myou: dark
Nariko: thunder child
Niju: demon of ill health
Obake: goblin, monster, or apparition
Oiwa: a vengeful female ghost
Okakure: death
Orochi: big snake
Oujou: passing on to the next life
Rakumei: losing one’s life
Rin: a cold yet dignified one
Sayoko: evening child
Seikyo: death
Seishi: life and death
Senge: death of a priest
Senshi: death in battle
Shi: death
Shibotsu: death
Shibou: to die or pass away
Shichi: the proper place to die
Shigo: after death
Shiin: cause of death
Shikei: death penalty
Shikyo: death
Shini: dying
Shisha: casualty and deceased
Shoushi: death by fire
Shouten: death
Sidero: evil nymph
Sokushi: instant death
Suima: a water demon
Sunako: the dark side
Takai: to die
Takeru: furious and wild
Tatsuo: female dragon
Tengu: bird monster in human form
Toushi: death from cold
Tsui: the end of life
Tsukiko: moon child
Tsukimono: evil spirit and demon
Usagi: moon
Warui: wicked
Yami: dark
Yasha: night devil
Yoru: dark
Youkai: ghost, phantom, or demon
Yousetsu: premature death
Yui: alone
Zessoku: passing away
Zetsumei: the end of life
Conclusion
There are some lovely names with interesting meanings on this list and plenty to choose from. Japanese culture is stunning, it often combines both tradition and modern elements. Were you able to find the name that you were looking for, whether for your baby girl or baby boy? What do you think about Japanese names with meanings that are dark or may have connotations of a somewhat negative meaning?
It’s always good to know and understand the meaning behind a name before giving it to your child. Sometimes just going off of the way it sounds or is spelt can be a bit deceiving. In any case, we hope you found this list useful.
Feel free to leave a comment with the Japanese names you found the most interesting!