105+ Japanese Names That Mean “Dark” or “Shadow”
Many Japanese names that mean dark are popular for their connection to nature, personality, or shadows. These names can create a sense of secrecy and often feel deep and strong, making them special choices for parents.
It’s a parent’s must-do to pick a name for their little ones that suits their gorgeous looks and has a cool meaning. That’s where Japanese names with dark meanings come into play. Choosing a dark Japanese name isn’t just about slapping a label on your kid—it’s about what reflects who they are.
These names are reflected through kanji characters that have a symbolic look when written in Japanese. Whether you’re from Japan or elsewhere, no one stops you from setting a darkness-inspired Japanese name for your little guy.
You can also use these dark Japanese names as fun nicknames for your friends or for your gaming profile to give yourself a cool vibe. Below, we broke down our collection of Japanese names that mean dark and the kanji characters that are sure to please you!
Japanese Boy Names Meaning Dark
These Japanese boy names with dark meanings are awesome for teens, but they work for little kids, too. Some of these names come from Naruto characters, so if any teens are into anime, they’ll, of course, love these names!
- Kurai
- Meaning: Dark, Gloomy
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-ee
- Kanji: 暗い
- Yami
- Meaning: Darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee
- Kanji: 闇
- Ankoku
- Meaning: Darkness, Shadow
- Pronunciation: ahn-koh-koo
- Kanji: 暗黒
- Meian
- Meaning: Light and Dark
- Pronunciation: meh-ahn
- Kanji: 明暗
- Kage
- Meaning: Shadow
- Pronunciation: kah-geh
- Kanji: 影
- Kurayami
- Meaning: Complete Darkness
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-yah-mee
- Kanji: 暗闇
- Sumaru
- Meaning: To Darken, Shadowed
- Pronunciation: soo-mah-roo
- Kanji: 澄丸
- Rikuto
- Meaning: Land of Shadows
- Pronunciation: ree-koo-toh
- Kanji: 陸翔
- Kuroki
- Meaning: Black Tree
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-kee
- Kanji: 黒木
- Kurogane
- Meaning: Black Metal
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-gah-neh
- Kanji: 黒鉄
- Kuroda
- Meaning: Black Rice Field
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-dah
- Kanji: 黒田
- Anshin (see more Japanese names that start with “A” like this)
- Meaning: Peace in Darkness
- Pronunciation: ahn-sheen
- Kanji: 暗心
- Seiryo
- Meaning: Clear Shadow
- Pronunciation: say-ree-yoh
- Kanji: 清影
- Takane
- Meaning: Shadow of a High Peak
- Pronunciation: tah-kah-neh
- Kanji: 高嶺
- Shikage
- Meaning: Forest Shadow
- Pronunciation: shee-kah-geh
- Kanji: 四影
- Kagehiko
- Meaning: Boy of Shadows
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-hee-koh
- Kanji: 影彦
- Raito
- Meaning: Shadow and Light
- Pronunciation: rye-toh
- Kanji: 雷翔
- Kurao (relates with Japanese names starting with K)
- Meaning: Man of Darkness
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-oh
- Kanji: 暗夫
- Kurosawa
- Meaning: Dark Marsh
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-sah-wah
- Kanji: 黒沢
- Nagatsuki
- Meaning: Long Dark Moon
- Pronunciation: nah-gah-tsoo-kee
- Kanji: 長月
- Kagetsu
- Meaning: Shadowed Moon
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-tsoo
- Kanji: 影月
- Masakage
- Meaning: True Shadow
- Pronunciation: mah-sah-kah-geh
- Kanji: 正影
- Toguro
- Meaning: Swirling Darkness
- Pronunciation: toh-goo-roh
- Kanji: 藤黒
- Yorikage
- Meaning: Reliable Shadow
- Pronunciation: yo-ree-kah-geh
- Kanji: 頼影
- Kagen
- Meaning: Shadow Source
- Pronunciation: kah-gen
- Kanji: 影元
Japanese Names Meaning Dark For Girls
Japanese girl names that mean dark are not merely associated with a lack of light; they can symbolize the beauty found in shadows. These names resonate with parents wishing to impart depth and character to their little girls.
- Kumori
- Meaning: Cloudy, Overcast
- Pronunciation: koo-moh-ree
- Kanji: 曇り
- Kuragari
- Meaning: Darkness, Gloom
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-gah-ree
- Kanji: 暗がり
- Shizuku
- Meaning: Water Droplet; symbolic of dark rain
- Pronunciation: shee-zoo-koo
- Kanji: 雫
- Kageko
- Meaning: Child of Shadow
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-koh
- Kanji: 影子
- Mayoi
- Meaning: Bewilderment, Lost in Darkness
- Pronunciation: mah-yoh-ee
- Kanji: 迷い
- Higure
- Meaning: Sunset, Dusk
- Pronunciation: hee-goo-reh
- Kanji: 日暮れ
- Sumire
- Meaning: Violet Flower; symbolic of dark hues
- Pronunciation: soo-mee-reh
- Kanji: 菫
- Kokage
- Meaning: Shade of a Tree
- Pronunciation: koh-kah-geh
- Kanji: 木陰
- Yozora
- Meaning: Night Sky
- Pronunciation: yoh-zoh-rah
- Kanji: 夜空
- Hisoka
- Meaning: Reserved, Secretive
- Pronunciation: hee-soh-kah
- Kanji: 密
- Oboro
- Meaning: Hazy, Dim
- Pronunciation: oh-boh-roh
- Kanji: 朧
- Ranka
- Meaning: Orchid Fragrance; symbolic of beauty in shadow
- Pronunciation: rahn-kah
- Kanji: 蘭花
- Mikazuki
- Meaning: Crescent Moon
- Pronunciation: mee-kah-zoo-kee
- Kanji: 三日月
- Natsume
- Meaning: Summer Plum; associated with deep shadows of trees
- Pronunciation: nah-tsu-meh
- Kanji: 夏目
- Kuroha
- Meaning: Black Feather
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-hah
- Kanji: 黒羽
- Fuyuko
- Meaning: Winter Child; symbolic of long, nights
- Pronunciation: foo-yoo-koh
- Kanji: 冬子
- Tsukiko
- Meaning: Moon Child
- Pronunciation: tsu-kee-koh
- Kanji: 月子
- Komorebi
- Meaning: Sunlight Filtering Through Trees; interplay of light and dark
- Pronunciation: koh-moh-reh-bee
- Kanji: 木漏れ日
- Kurou
- Meaning: Black youth, dark youth
- Pronunciation: koo-roh
- Kanji: 黒郎
- Anrai
- Meaning: Dark thunder
- Pronunciation: ahn-rai
- Kanji: 暗雷
- Kagome
- Meaning: Bamboo Fence; symbolic of shadows and enclosure
- Pronunciation: kah-goh-meh
- Kanji: 籠目
- Ame
- Meaning: Rain
- Pronunciation: ah-meh
- Kanji: 雨
- Nozomi
- Meaning: Hope; often used metaphorically as light emerging from darkness
- Pronunciation: noh-zoh-mee
- Kanji: 希望
- Rikuya
- Meaning: Land of Shadows
- Pronunciation: ree-koo-yah
- Kanji: 陸夜
- Hanae
- Meaning: Flower Blessing; symbolic of hidden beauty
- Pronunciation: hah-nah-eh
- Kanji: 花恵
Gender-Neutral Japanese Names Meaning Dark
These gender-neutral Japanese names with darker meanings work for both girls and boys. If you weren’t into the names meant for a specific gender, check these out and opt for the one that feels right!
- Kurozora
- Meaning: Black Sky
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-zoh-rah
- Kanji: 黒空
- Kurage
- Meaning: Jellyfish (symbolizing deep, dark waters)
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-geh
- Kanji: クラゲ
- Kurokage
- Meaning: Black Shadow
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-kah-geh
- Kanji: 黒影
- Kagami
- Meaning: Mirror (reflecting darkness)
- Pronunciation: kah-gah-mee
- Kanji: 鏡
- Yorunami
- Meaning: Night Wave (symbolizing darkness of the sea)
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-nah-mee
- Kanji: 夜波
- Kurohane
- Meaning: Black Feather
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-hah-neh
- Kanji: 黒羽
- Yamiya
- Meaning: Dark Valley
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-yah
- Kanji: 闇谷
- Yorukage
- Meaning: Night Shadow
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-kah-geh
- Kanji: 夜影
- Totsu
- Meaning: Sudden Darkness
- Pronunciation: toh-tsu
- Kanji: 闇突
- Kurogami
- Meaning: Black Spirit
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-gah-mee
- Kanji: 黒神
- Yorugami
- Meaning: Night Spirit
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-gah-mee
- Kanji: 夜神
- Kuroshiro
- Meaning: Black Castle
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-shee-roh
- Kanji: 黒城
- Kurahashi
- Meaning: Bridge in the Darkness
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-hah-shee
- Kanji: 暗橋
- Kuroyume
- Meaning: Black Dream
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-yoo-meh
- Kanji: 黒夢
- Kageya
- Meaning: Shadow Valley
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-yah
- Kanji: 影谷
- Yoruga
- Meaning: Dark Strength
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-gah
- Kanji: 夜具
- Meikage
- Meaning: Bright Shadow
- Pronunciation: may-kah-geh
- Kanji: 明影
- Hikage
- Meaning: Sun Shadow (darkness cast by light)
- Pronunciation: hee-kah-geh
- Kanji: 光影
- Kuroshio
- Meaning: Black Current (ocean currents representing the dark depths)
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-shee-oh
- Kanji: 黒潮
- Kurotsuki
- Meaning: Black Moon
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-tsoo-kee
- Kanji: 黒月
Popular Japanese Names That Mean Dark
These names could be inspired by Japanese celebrities or characters from manga or anime. If you want to feel like a celebrity yourself, check them out and pick one that suits you!
- Anri
- Meaning: Dark Village
- Pronunciation: ahn-ree
- Kanji: 闇里
- Yamirokku
- Meaning: Dark Rock
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-rokku
- Kanji: 闇岩
- Shin’ya
- Meaning: Deep Night
- Pronunciation: sheen-yah
- Kanji: 深夜
- Shingetsu (a Japanese name starting with S)
- Meaning: Dark Moon
- Pronunciation: sheen-geh-tsoo
- Kanji: 深月
- Yamitsuki
- Meaning: Dark Moon
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-tsu-kee
- Kanji: 闇月
- Yamikage
- Meaning: Dark Shadow
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-kah-geh
- Kanji: 闇影
- Kuroyami
- Meaning: Black Darkness
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-yah-mee
- Kanji: 黒闇
- Yoruhikari
- Meaning: Night Light
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-hee-kah-ree
- Kanji: 夜光
- Kagerou
- Meaning: Fleeting Shadow
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-roh
- Kanji: 陽炎
- Shinobukai
- Meaning: Deep Stealth
- Pronunciation: shee-noh-boo-kai
- Kanji: 忍深
- Kurayuki
- Meaning: Dark Snow
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-yoo-kee
- Kanji: 暗雪
- Akumasen
- Meaning: Dark Warrior
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-mah-sen
- Kanji: 悪魔戦
- Yorushin
- Meaning: Night Heart
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-sheen
- Kanji: 夜心
- Kuroarashi
- Meaning: Black Storm
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-ah-rah-shee
- Kanji: 黒嵐
- Yamizora
- Meaning: Dark Sky
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-zoh-rah
- Kanji: 闇空
- Shizukuyami
- Meaning: Silent Darkness
- Pronunciation: shee-zoo-koo-yah-mee
- Kanji: 静暗
- Kurofuji
- Meaning: Black Wisteria
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-foo-jee
- Kanji: 黒藤
- Yorukyaku
- Meaning: Night Traveler
- Pronunciation: yoh-roo-kyah-koo
- Kanji: 夜客
- Akumadori
- Meaning: Dark Bird
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-mah-doh-ree
- Kanji: 悪鳥
- Kagekirei
- Meaning: Shadow Sparrow
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-kee-ray
- Kanji: 影雀
Japanese Last Names With Dark Meanings
These Japanese last names speak themselves for what they are allocated for. Whatever your name is, you can give a unique vibe to your name by including any of these Japanese dark-meaning last names.
- Anzai
- Meaning: Dark Well
- Pronunciation: ahn-zai
- Kanji: 暗井
- Kurayasu
- Meaning: Peaceful Darkness
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-yah-soo
- Kanji: 暗安
- Yamizono
- Meaning: Dark Garden
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-zoh-noh
- Kanji: 闇園
- Seikage
- Meaning: Shadow of Serenity
- Pronunciation: say-kah-geh
- Kanji: 静影
- Kuramoto
- Meaning: Dark Origin
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-moh-toh
- Kanji: 暗元
- Takakage
- Meaning: Tall Shadow
- Pronunciation: tah-kah-kah-geh
- Kanji: 高影
- Kurotani
- Meaning: Dark Valley
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-tah-nee
- Kanji: 黒谷
- Yamihara
- Meaning: Dark Field
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-hah-rah
- Kanji: 闇原
- Hoshikage
- Meaning: Star Shadow
- Pronunciation: hoh-shee-kah-geh
- Kanji: 星影
- Kurashige
- Meaning: Dark Growth
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-shee-geh
- Kanji: 暗重
- Anrei
- Meaning: Dark Spirit
- Pronunciation: ahn-ray
- Kanji: 暗霊
- Kurohama
- Meaning: Black Beach
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-hah-mah
- Kanji: 黒浜
- Yamiguchi
- Meaning: Mouth or entrance of darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-goo-chee
- Kanji: 闇口
- Shinkage
- Meaning: Deep Shadow
- Pronunciation: sheen-kah-geh
- Kanji: 深影
- Kuramine
- Meaning: Dark Peak
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-mee-neh
- Kanji: 暗嶺
- Oborozawa
- Meaning: Hazy Marsh
- Pronunciation: oh-boh-roh-zah-wah
- Kanji: 朧沢
- Kagetsu
- Meaning: Shadowed Moon
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-tsoo
- Kanji: 影月
- Nokage
- Meaning: Remaining Shadow
- Pronunciation: noh-kah-geh
- Kanji: 残影
- Kuroseki
- Meaning: Black Stone
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-seh-kee
- Kanji: 黒石
- Ansei
- Meaning: Quiet Darkness
- Pronunciation: ahn-say
- Kanji: 暗静
Japanese Names That Mean Shadow
A shadow follows you wherever you go—there’s no escaping it! While names associated with darkness and shadows might seem similar, Japanese names with meanings tied to shadows can be surprisingly beautiful. You might expect these names to carry only somber or sad meanings, but they also possess a captivating charm that goes beyond the surface. So, scroll through our collection and choose a truly unforgettable name!
- Kageri
- Meaning: Shadow’s Edge
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-ree
- Kanji: (影理)
- Inei
- Meaning: Graceful Shadow
- Pronunciation: Ee-nay
- Kanji: (陰影)
- Kagemaru
- Meaning: Shadow Circle
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-mah-roo
- Kanji: (影丸)
- Eishin
- Meaning: Shadow Heart
- Pronunciation: Ay-sheen
- Kanji: (影心)
- Kagezumi
- Meaning: Shadow Ink
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-zoo-mee
- Kanji: (影墨)
- Eimaru
- Meaning: Perfect Shadow
- Pronunciation: Ay-mah-roo
- Kanji: (影丸)
- Kagetaka
- Meaning: Shadow Hawk
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-tah-kah
- Kanji: (影鷹)
- Eihaku
- Meaning: White Shadow
- Pronunciation: Ay-hah-koo
- Kanji: (影白)
- Eikuro
- Meaning: Shadow’s Black
- Pronunciation: ay-koo-roh
- Kanji: (影黒)
- Eika
- Meaning: Shadow Flower
- Pronunciation: Ay-kah
- Kanji: (影花)
- Kageyoshi
- Meaning: Good Shadow
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-yoh-shee
- Kanji: (影良)
- Einori
- Meaning: Shadow Prayer
- Pronunciation: Ay-noh-ree
- Kanji: (影祈)
- Kagehikari
- Meaning: Shadow Light
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-hee-kah-ree
- Kanji: (影光)
- Eijiro
- Meaning: Shadow Second Son
- Pronunciation: Ay-jee-roh
- Kanji: (影次郎)
- Kageshige
- Meaning: Growing Shadow
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-shee-geh
- Kanji: (影茂)
- Eizou
- Meaning: Shadow Image
- Pronunciation: Ay-zoh
- Kanji: (影像)
- Kageuji
- Meaning: Shadow Whirl
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-oo-jee
- Kanji: (影渦)
- Eihei
- Meaning: Shadow Peace
- Pronunciation: Ay-hay
- Kanji: (影平)
- Kagetoyo
- Meaning: Abundant Shadow
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-toh-yoh
- Kanji: (影豊)
- Eizan
- Meaning: Shadow Mountain
- Pronunciation: Ay-zahn
- Kanji: (影山)
- Kageyuki
- Meaning: Shadow Snow
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-yoo-kee
- Kanji: (影雪)
- Eimori
- Meaning: Shadow Forest
- Pronunciation: Ay-moh-ree
- Kanji: (影森)
- Kagekata
- Meaning: Shadow Form
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-kah-tah
- Kanji: (影形)
- Eishi
- Meaning: Shadow Will
- Pronunciation: Ay-shee
- Kanji: (影志)
- Kagetsuna
- Meaning: Binding Shadow
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-tsoo-nah
- Kanji: (影綱)
- Eiharu
- Meaning: Spring Shadow
- Pronunciation: Ay-hah-roo
- Kanji: (影春)
- Kagemichi
- Meaning: Shadow Path
- Pronunciation: Kah-geh-mee-chee
- Kanji: (影道)
- Eiken
- Meaning: Wise Shadow
- Pronunciation: Ay-ken
- Kanji: (影賢)
- Eisho
- Meaning: Shadow Guidance
- Pronunciation: Ay-shoh
- Kanji: (影翔)
- Eiji
- Meaning: Shadow Rule
- Pronunciation: Ay-jee
- Kanji: (影治)
Conclusion
Japanese names that mean dark are pretty awesome, no matter how you choose to use them. They bring a unique feeling when picked for game characters and reflect Japan’s culture and their love for deep symbolism.
Japanese names with dark meanings remind us that light and darkness go hand in hand. These dark Japanese names can be more suitable for dark families as they already are dark and when their name means dark, it becomes a win-win!
As we have shared dark names in Japanese for boys, girls, and gender neutral along with a few popular picks, we hope this exploration has inspired you and helped you pick the perfect name for your little ones.
If you’re looking for Japanese names that start with a specific letter, charming K names, yummy Y names, stylish S names, amazing A names, heartfelt H names, joyful J names, meaningful M names, and timeless T names offer a variety of great choices.
Our recommendation: If you’re considering any of these names for your little one, we recommend doing a bit more research on their meanings.