115+ Japanese Names That Mean “Water”

A happy kid girl plays with a garden hose, spraying water in a lush outdoor.

If your baby boy or girl is about to land in your lap, choosing a name for him should be at the top of your to-do list. Every single mom dreams of having a kid who is as genuine as pure water, and we hope you do too, right? Water is what the definition of purity is, encouraging you to give your pure white baby a water-themed name.

Though names carrying water meanings come in dozens of languages, Japanese names that mean water are the most intriguing and crowd favorite! Not only are they meaningful, but they are attractive at the same time. Japanese water-related names are perfect to honor your baby or suggest to a friend for their newborn with these names.

Japanese names meaning water are packed with nature and, of course, Japanese culture. These names most often reflect purity, clarity, and strength (of water waves!). These names are more fitting for those who live near a lake or want to, or who are inspired by water.

These Japanese water-inspired names also include names that mean ocean, lake, river, wave, rain, mist, and so on. Since water flows constantly and never stops, honoring your little boy with such a name might inspire him to be more consistent and successful in life.

Find a rare name from our collection for your kid that no one else in their class has to make him stand out. So, swim through our pool of Japanese water names for your little one from the lists we broke down below, with names we’ve gathered high and low!

Girl Names Meaning Water in Japanese

While natural names are always close to many hearts, Japanese girl names meaning water are the most cherished monikers of them all. That’s exactly what your little cutie deserves for her glowing white face. Since water symbolizes calmness, naming your daughter might result in a calm, cute loving baby! So, do a deep dive into our list of curated Japanese water names for girls down the line.

  1. Mizu
    • Meaning: Water
    • Pronunciation: mee-zoo
    • Kanji: 水
  2. Nami
    • Meaning: Wave
    • Pronunciation: nah-mee
    • Kanji: 波
  3. Kai
    • Meaning: Ocean, sea
    • Pronunciation: kah-ee
    • Kanji: 海
  4. Rin
    • Meaning: Cool, refreshing
    • Pronunciation: reen
    • Kanji: 涼
  5. Reiha
    • Meaning: Pure Water
    • Pronunciation: ray-ha
    • Kanji: 澪波
  6. Sayaka
    • Meaning: Clear, pure
    • Pronunciation: sah-yah-kah
    • Kanji: 清香
  7. Ami
    • Meaning: Net (used for fishing)
    • Pronunciation: ah-mee
    • Kanji: 網
  8. Umi
    • Meaning: Sea
    • Pronunciation: oo-mee
    • Kanji: 海
  9. Nanami
    • Meaning: Seven seas
    • Pronunciation: nah-nah-mee
    • Kanji: 七海
  10. Ayame
    • Meaning: Iris (a flower often associated with water)
    • Pronunciation: ah-yah-meh
    • Kanji: 菖蒲
  11. Aoi (see more Japanese names that start with “A” like this)
    • Meaning: Blue (associated with the ocean)
    • Pronunciation: ah-oh-ee
    • Kanji: 青
  12. Nagisa
    • Meaning: Shoreline
    • Pronunciation: nah-gee-sah
    • Kanji: 渚
  13. Hinami
    • Meaning: Wave beauty
    • Pronunciation: hee-nah-mee
    • Kanji: 陽波
  14. Fuka
    • Meaning: Deep water
    • Pronunciation: foo-kah
    • Kanji: 深河
  15. Ruka
    • Meaning: Flow + Perfume
    • Pronunciation: roo-kah
    • Kanji: 流香
  16. Rumi
    • Meaning: Flow + Beauty
    • Pronunciation: roo-mee
    • Kanji: 流美
  17. Nagi
    • Meaning: Calm waters
    • Pronunciation: nah-gee
    • Kanji: 凪
  18. Akua
    • Meaning: Aqua (water)
    • Pronunciation: ah-koo-ah
    • Kanji: アクア (Katakana)
  19. Shiun
    • Meaning: Dewdrop or Water Mist
    • Pronunciation: shee-oon
    • Kanji: 紫雲
  20. Suzuna
    • Meaning: Clear stream
    • Pronunciation: soo-zoo-nah
    • Kanji: 涼渚
  21. Reika
    • Meaning: Cool flower
    • Pronunciation: ray-kah
    • Kanji: 冷花
  22. Nozomi
    • Meaning: Hope (symbolized by flowing rivers)
    • Pronunciation: noh-zoh-mee
    • Kanji: 希望
  23. Izumi
    • Meaning: Fountain, spring
    • Pronunciation: ee-zoo-mee
    • Kanji: 泉
  24. Sumire
    • Meaning: Violet (flower that grows near water)
    • Pronunciation: soo-mee-reh
    • Kanji: 菫
  25. Chisa
    • Meaning: A thousand sands
    • Pronunciation: chee-sah
    • Kanji: 千砂
  26. Ena
    • Meaning: Gift from the sea
    • Pronunciation: eh-nah
    • Kanji: 恵海
  27. Mizuki
    • Meaning: Beautiful moon on water
    • Pronunciation: mee-zoo-kee
    • Kanji: 水月
  28. Suika
    • Meaning: Water and Fruit (symbolizing abundance and freshness)
    • Pronunciation: soo-ee-kah
    • Kanji: 水果
  29. Misaki
    • Meaning: Beautiful cape
    • Pronunciation: mee-sah-kee
    • Kanji: 美咲
  30. Taki
    • Meaning: Waterfall
    • Pronunciation: tah-kee
    • Kanji: 滝

Japanese Names That Mean Water For Boys

A joyful kid boy wearing a sun hat plays with a garden hose, spraying water in a green outdoor setting.

If you’re a nature lover, you’d like to pick a name for your little boy that reflects the beauty of nature, and that’s what water is in nature. Naming your little dude with a Japanese name that means water might change the whole game of his personality. If you want such a serene and easy-going moniker for your boy, our list below is exactly what you’re looking for. Go through the whole list and go for the perfect matching one.

  1. Mizuho
    • Meaning: Fresh water
    • Pronunciation: mee-zoo-hoh
    • Kanji: 瑞穂
  2. Kae
    • Meaning: Fruit of the water
    • Pronunciation: kah-eh
    • Kanji: 潮恵
  3. Miho
    • Meaning: Beautiful, fresh water
    • Pronunciation: mee-hoh
    • Kanji: 美穂
  4. Ayu
    • Meaning: Sweetfish (a type of freshwater fish)
    • Pronunciation: ah-yoo
    • Kanji: 鮎
  5. Shiomi
    • Meaning: Tide-view
    • Pronunciation: shee-oh-mee
    • Kanji: 潮音
  6. Sena
    • Meaning: River’s current
    • Pronunciation: seh-nah
    • Kanji: 瀬奈
  7. Shio
    • Meaning: Tide, saltwater
    • Pronunciation: shee-oh
    • Kanji: 潮
  8. Minami
    • Meaning: South (symbolic for calm waters)
    • Pronunciation: mee-nah-mee
    • Kanji: 南
  9. Miharu
    • Meaning: Beauty in water
    • Pronunciation: mee-hah-roo
    • Kanji: 美陽
  10. Koe
    • Meaning: Voice of water
    • Pronunciation: koh-eh
    • Kanji: 潮絵
  11. Hisa
    • Meaning: Long river
    • Pronunciation: hee-sah
    • Kanji: 久沙
  12. Minori
    • Meaning: Water, grain
    • Pronunciation: mee-no-ree
    • Kanji: 実
  13. Itsuki
    • Meaning: Branch of water
    • Pronunciation: its-kee
    • Kanji: 樹
  14. Riku
    • Meaning: Land + Water
    • Pronunciation: ree-koo
    • Kanji: 陸
  15. Miro
    • Meaning: Beautiful river
    • Pronunciation: mee-roh
    • Kanji: 美路
  16. Fuyuka
    • Meaning: Winter water
    • Pronunciation: foo-yoo-kah
    • Kanji: 冬花
  17. Haruna
    • Meaning: Spring, calm waters
    • Pronunciation: hah-roo-nah
    • Kanji: 陽菜
  18. Sayumi
    • Meaning: Deep waters
    • Pronunciation: sah-yoo-mee
    • Kanji: 紗由美
  19. Rina
    • Meaning: Jasmine + Water
    • Pronunciation: ree-nah
    • Kanji: 莉奈
  20. Natsumi
    • Meaning: Summer + Water
    • Pronunciation: nah-tsoo-mee
    • Kanji: 夏美
  21. Ririka
    • Meaning: Sound of water
    • Pronunciation: ree-ree-kah
    • Kanji: 陸莉花
  22. Masaki
    • Meaning: Water essence
    • Pronunciation: mah-sah-kee
    • Kanji: 正希
  23. Chika
    • Meaning: Wisdom and water
    • Pronunciation: chee-kah
    • Kanji: 知香
  24. Hikari
    • Meaning: Light over water
    • Pronunciation: hee-kah-ree
    • Kanji: 光
  25. Miyuki
    • Meaning: Beauty and water
    • Pronunciation: mee-yoo-kee
    • Kanji: 美雪
  26. Mika
    • Meaning: Beautiful, flowing water
    • Pronunciation: mee-kah
    • Kanji: 美佳
  27. Kiharu
    • Meaning: Radiant water
    • Pronunciation: kee-hah-roo
    • Kanji: 紀陽
  28. Sumi (a Japanese name starting with S)
    • Meaning: Deep water
    • Pronunciation: soo-mee
    • Kanji: 澄
  29. Renka
    • Meaning: Lotus + Water
    • Pronunciation: ren-kah
    • Kanji: 蓮華
  30. Yuna
    • Meaning: Gentle water
    • Pronunciation: yoo-nah
    • Kanji: 優菜
See also  85+ Japanese Names That Start With “A”

Japanese Unisex Names Meaning Water

If you haven’t found a perfect name for your little one yet and are still on the hunt (which is pretty unlikely), we’ve got another option for you with some Japanese unisex water-meaning names.

These names aren’t tied to just girls or boys, anyone can use them as their real name, nickname, or baby’s name. So, if you’d like to have Japanese names that mean water for whatever, the following list is bound to amaze you!

  1. Kaito
    • Meaning: Ocean, flying, and water
    • Pronunciation: kai-toh
    • Kanji: 海翔
  2. Haruki
    • Meaning: Spring water
    • Pronunciation: hah-roo-kee
    • Kanji: 陽輝
  3. Taito
    • Meaning: Great water
    • Pronunciation: tai-toh
    • Kanji: 大翔
  4. Isamu
    • Meaning: Brave water
    • Pronunciation: ee-sah-moo
    • Kanji: 勇
  5. Souta
    • Meaning: Helping water
    • Pronunciation: soh-tah
    • Kanji: 宗太
  6. Minato
    • Meaning: Harbor of water
    • Pronunciation: mee-nah-toh
    • Kanji: 湊
  7. Rikuya
    • Meaning: Land and water
    • Pronunciation: ri-ku-yah
    • Kanji: 陸也
  8. Aiko
    • Meaning: Love and water
    • Pronunciation: ai-koh
    • Kanji: 愛湖
  9. Kazuki
    • Meaning: Peaceful water
    • Pronunciation: kah-zoo-kee
    • Kanji: 和輝
  10. Katsuo
    • Meaning: Victorious water
    • Pronunciation: kah-tsoo-oh
    • Kanji: 勝雄
  11. Yuiya
    • Meaning: Gentle water
    • Pronunciation: yoo-ee-yah
    • Kanji: 優彌
  12. Hikaru
    • Meaning: Light on water
    • Pronunciation: hee-kah-roo
    • Kanji: 光
  13. Masaaki
    • Meaning: True water
    • Pronunciation: mah-sah-ah-kee
    • Kanji: 正明
  14. Rikuji
    • Meaning: Land and water
    • Pronunciation: ri-ku-jee
    • Kanji: 陸司
  15. Tetsuya
    • Meaning: Iron water
    • Pronunciation: teh-tsu-yah
    • Kanji: 哲也
  16. Soji
    • Meaning: Wisteria water
    • Pronunciation: soh-jee
    • Kanji: 草司
  17. Raito
    • Meaning: Light water
    • Pronunciation: rai-toh
    • Kanji: 亮翔
  18. Yosuke
    • Meaning: Gentle water
    • Pronunciation: yoh-soo-keh
    • Kanji: 陽介
  19. Daiki
    • Meaning: Large shining water
    • Pronunciation: dah-kee
    • Kanji: 大輝
  20. Asuka
    • Meaning: Morning water
    • Pronunciation: ah-soo-kah
    • Kanji: 明日香
  21. Seiji
    • Meaning: Pure water
    • Pronunciation: seh-jee
    • Kanji: 清司
  22. Kouya
    • Meaning: Wide water
    • Pronunciation: koh-yah
    • Kanji: 公也
  23. Fumito
    • Meaning: Wisteria water
    • Pronunciation: foo-mee-toh
    • Kanji: 文翔
  24. Renji
    • Meaning: Water, benevolence
    • Pronunciation: ren-jee
    • Kanji: 蓮司
  25. Kaien
    • Meaning: Peaceful water
    • Pronunciation: kah-ehn
    • Kanji: 海苑
  26. Shota
    • Meaning: Calm water
    • Pronunciation: sho-tah
    • Kanji: 翔汰
  27. Yuto
    • Meaning: Gentle water
    • Pronunciation: yoo-toh
    • Kanji: 優翔
  28. Haruto
    • Meaning: Flying over water
    • Pronunciation: hah-roo-toh
    • Kanji: 陽翔
  29. Masato
    • Meaning: True water
    • Pronunciation: mah-sah-toh
    • Kanji: 真翔
  30. Ryo
    • Meaning: Calm water
    • Pronunciation: ryoh
    • Kanji: 涼

Japanese Last Names Meaning Water

These Japanese last names meaning water are perfect for adding a unique touch to a name which teens are most likely to do. If you’ve already chosen a name for your child but now wish you’d selected one with a water-related meaning, these Japanese last names are sure to ease your concerns. So, jump straight into it and choose the last name that best complements the first name.

  1. Minagawa
    • Meaning: Stream river
    • Pronunciation: mee-nah-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 水流
  2. Kawahara
    • Meaning: River flat
    • Pronunciation: kah-wah-hah-rah
    • Kanji: 川原
  3. Mizuoka
    • Meaning: Water hill
    • Pronunciation: mee-zoo-oh-kah
    • Kanji: 瑞丘
  4. Shimizu
    • Meaning: Pure water
    • Pronunciation: shee-mee-zoo
    • Kanji: 清水
  5. Umiya
    • Meaning: Ocean house
    • Pronunciation: oo-mee-yah
    • Kanji: 海家
  6. Senbon
    • Meaning: Thousand waters
    • Pronunciation: sehn-bon
    • Kanji: 千本
  7. Takinami
    • Meaning: Waterfall wave
    • Pronunciation: tah-kee-nah-mee
    • Kanji: 滝波
  8. Minamiya
    • Meaning: South water
    • Pronunciation: mee-nah-mee-yah
    • Kanji: 南家
  9. Rinkawa
    • Meaning: Flowing river
    • Pronunciation: rin-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 輪川
  10. Harutaka
    • Meaning: Spring high
    • Pronunciation: hah-roo-tah-kah
    • Kanji: 陽高
  11. Itsumizu
    • Meaning: Always water
    • Pronunciation: its-soo-mee-zoo
    • Kanji: 五水
  12. Aokawa
    • Meaning: Blue river
    • Pronunciation: ah-oh-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 青川
  13. Kujiragawa
    • Meaning: Whale river
    • Pronunciation: koo-jee-rah-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 鯨川
  14. Yamashiro
    • Meaning: Mountain castle near water
    • Pronunciation: yah-mah-shee-roh
    • Kanji: 山城
  15. Shirasawa
    • Meaning: White swamp
    • Pronunciation: shee-rah-sah-wah
    • Kanji: 白沢
  16. Kazuno
    • Meaning: Peaceful water
    • Pronunciation: kah-zoo-noh
    • Kanji: 和野
  17. Nagakawa
    • Meaning: Long river
    • Pronunciation: nah-gah-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 長川
  18. Masugawa
    • Meaning: Pure river
    • Pronunciation: mah-soo-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 優川
  19. Midorikawa
    • Meaning: Green river
    • Pronunciation: mee-doh-ree-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 緑川
  20. Setsugawa
    • Meaning: Snow river
    • Pronunciation: seh-tsu-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 雪川
  21. Aogawa
    • Meaning: Blue river
    • Pronunciation: ah-oh-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 青川
  22. Yamamoto
    • Meaning: Base of the mountain near water
    • Pronunciation: yah-mah-moh-toh
    • Kanji: 山本
  23. Harukawa
    • Meaning: Spring river
    • Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 陽川
  24. Kokawa
    • Meaning: Ancient river
    • Pronunciation: koh-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 古川
  25. Iriya
    • Meaning: Swamp water
    • Pronunciation: ee-ree-yah
    • Kanji: 入谷
  26. Hoshikawa
    • Meaning: Star river
    • Pronunciation: hoh-shee-kah-wah
    • Kanji: 星川
  27. Nakadagawa
    • Meaning: Center river
    • Pronunciation: nah-kah-dah-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 中川
  28. Takaoka
    • Meaning: High hill by water
    • Pronunciation: tah-koh-kah
    • Kanji: 高岡
  29. Miyagawa
    • Meaning: Beautiful river
    • Pronunciation: mee-yah-gah-wah
    • Kanji: 宮川
  30. Okazaki
    • Meaning: Cliff on river
    • Pronunciation: oh-kah-zah-kee
    • Kanji: 岡崎
See also  85+ Japanese Names That Start With “T”

Conclusion

The significance of water in Japanese culture is beautifully woven into the fabric of naming traditions symbolizing calmness, purity, and strength. Japanese names that mean water are a great choice for nature lovers who want a unique name to kickstart their just-arrived little ones’ journey. Some names might seem a bit hard to say, but plenty are easy-going.

From the lists we provided, it’s unimaginable you wouldn’t have chosen a name for your little one. If we mash up all those names we shared, you will have over a hundred options for girls, boys, and gender-neutral names, plus some Japanese last names that mean water, which is bold evidence of everyone’s satisfaction with whoever landed here.

As you explore the world of Japanese names, may you find the perfect Japanese water-inspired name that clicks with your values and aspirations, capturing the fluidity and grace of life. Channel the power of water, and let it flow through your family’s story.

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.

FAQs

Japanese water names are meaningful and special because of their connection with nature. They often use beautiful kanji characters that paint a picture of water’s qualities like flow, depth, and purity.

No, Aqua isn’t a traditional Japanese name. It’s a word that comes from Latin and means “water.” While you might see it used in some modern contexts, it’s not what you’d call a typical Japanese name.

Umi (海) is the Japanese word for ocean. It’s a straightforward name that works for both boys and girls and directly highlights how much Japan values its connection to the sea.