85+ Japanese Names That Start With “A”
A is the first letter, the top of the list, and the one that always seems to steal the spotlight. But when it comes to A-names, they steal hearts, especially the Japanese ones. A-names have dominated the naming charts across the world, inspiring A-name-wanting moms to turn to Japanese names that start with “A” to find unique ones with meanings that leave a mark.
Whether you want to create a sequence of naming your first baby with “A,” and so on for the next ones, or just want to follow your family’s pattern of naming all new arrivals with “A,” Japanese names starting with “A” are sure to fulfill all your desires. The distinct styling of these names helps mamas to choose names that aren’t a usual pick. No matter your baby’s gender, boy or girl, by plucking off a Japanese “A” name from our lists, you’ll earn an A+ in baby naming!
Japanese Male Names That Start With “A”
Kicking off your very first bundle of joy’s journey with a name that starts with the very first letter of the alphabet is an A-mazing experience! Whether you want a name that exudes strength, charm, or uniqueness, these Japanese “A” names are sure to put your little boy at the top, just like the “A” itself! Here’s our curated list of beautiful Japanese names beginning with “A” for boys.
- Akemi
- Meaning: Bright and beautiful
- Pronunciation: Ah-keh-mee
- Kanji: 明美
- Akira
- Meaning: Bright, clear
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-rah
- Kanji: 明
- Aki
- Meaning: Autumn
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee
- Kanji: 秋
- Akio
- Meaning: Bright boy
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-oh
- Kanji: 明男
- Aoi
- Meaning: Blue, green
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-ee
- Kanji: 葵
- Asahi
- Meaning: Morning sun
- Pronunciation: Ah-sah-hee
- Kanji: 朝日
- Akihiro
- Meaning: Bright and broad
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-hee-roh
- Kanji: 明広
- Akaseki
- Meaning: Red stone or red gem
- Pronunciation: Ah-kah-seh-kee
- Kanji: 赤石
- Atsushi
- Meaning: Industrious
- Pronunciation: Ah-tsoo-shee
- Kanji: 篤
- Akihiko
- Meaning: Bright prince
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-hee-koh
- Kanji: 明彦
- Akinori
- Meaning: Bright law
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-noh-ree
- Kanji: 明則
- Ayumu
- Meaning: Walk, progress
- Pronunciation: Ah-yoo-moo
- Kanji: 歩
- Akihito
- Meaning: Bright person
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-hee-toh
- Kanji: 明仁
- Azuma
- Meaning: East
- Pronunciation: Ah-zoo-mah
- Kanji: 東
- Akitoshi
- Meaning: Bright wisdom
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-toh-shee
- Kanji: 明敏
- Asuka
- Meaning: Flying bird
- Pronunciation: Ah-soo-kah
- Kanji: 飛鳥
- Akitaka
- Meaning: Bright high
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-tah-kah
- Kanji: 明貴
- Atsuto
- Meaning: Kind person
- Pronunciation: Ah-tsoo-toh
- Kanji: 敦
- Arashi
- Meaning: Storm
- Pronunciation: Ah-rah-shee
- Kanji: 嵐
- Akimitsu
- Meaning: Bright light
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-mee-tsoo
- Kanji: 明光
- Aoshi
- Meaning: Blue
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-shee
- Kanji: 青
- Amane
- Meaning: Sound
- Pronunciation: Ah-mah-neh
- Kanji: 周
- Akiha
- Meaning: Autumn leaf
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-hah
- Kanji: 秋葉
- Atsumu
- Meaning: Studious
- Pronunciation: Ah-tsoo-moo
- Kanji: 篤
- Aoto
- Meaning: Blue wisteria
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-toh
- Kanji: 青藤
- Akino
- Meaning: Autumn field
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-noh
- Kanji: 秋野
- Ashita
- Meaning: Tomorrow
- Pronunciation: Ah-shee-tah
- Kanji: 明日
- Atsuro
- Meaning: Kind son
- Pronunciation: Ah-tsoo-roh
- Kanji: 篤郎
- Akito
- Meaning: Autumn person
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-toh
- Kanji: 秋人
- Arata
- Meaning: Fresh
- Pronunciation: Ah-rah-tah
- Kanji: 新
Japanese Female Names That Start With “A”
You might have noticed how differently it hits when looking for a name for a baby girl, you might fall in love with a name one day, only to second-guess it the next—but it’s ok that’s part of the fun. However, hopefully, you won’t have to go through this dilemma if you select a Japanese girl’s name that starts with “A.” So, plunge into our rounded-up list and choose a name that inspires hope for your little girl to ace everything she does.
- Aynami
- Meaning: Colorful wave
- Pronunciation: Eye-nah-mee
- Kanji: 彩波
- Akane
- Meaning: Deep red
- Pronunciation: Ah-kah-neh
- Kanji: 茜
- Azumi
- Meaning: Safe residence
- Pronunciation: Ah-zoo-mee
- Kanji: 安澄
- Aimi
- Meaning: Love beauty
- Pronunciation: Eye-mee
- Kanji: 愛美
- Asami
- Meaning: Morning beauty
- Pronunciation: Ah-sah-mee
- Kanji: 麻美
- Aya
- Meaning: Design, color
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah
- Kanji: 彩
- Anzu
- Meaning: Apricot
- Pronunciation: Ahn-zoo
- Kanji: 杏
- Aozora
- Meaning: Blue sky
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-zoh-rah
- Kanji: 青空
- Ayumi
- Meaning: Walking beauty
- Pronunciation: Ah-yoo-mee
- Kanji: 歩美
- Azami
- Meaning: Thistle flower
- Pronunciation: Ah-zah-mee
- Kanji: 薊
- Aikawa
- Meaning: Love river
- Pronunciation: Eye-kah-wah
- Kanji: 愛川
- Ayano
- Meaning: Colorful field
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah-noh
- Kanji: 彩野
- Akari
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: Ah-kah-ree
- Kanji: 灯
- Amaya
- Meaning: Night rain
- Pronunciation: Ah-mah-yah
- Kanji: 雨夜
- Azusa
- Meaning: Catalpa tree
- Pronunciation: Ah-zoo-sah
- Kanji: 梓
- Anmi
- Meaning: Peaceful beauty
- Pronunciation: Ahn-mee
- Kanji: 杏美
- Atsuko
- Meaning: Kind child
- Pronunciation: Ah-tsoo-koh
- Kanji: 温子
- Ayuri
- Meaning: Lily
- Pronunciation: Ah-yoo-ree
- Kanji: 百合
- Asuza
- Meaning: Bell Flower
- Pronunciation: Ah-soo-zah
- Kanji: 鈴
- Aoba
- Meaning: Green leaf
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-bah
- Kanji: 青葉
- Ayami
- Meaning: Beautiful design
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah-mee
- Kanji: 綾美
- Asuha
- Meaning: Tomorrow’s leaf
- Pronunciation: Ah-soo-hah
- Kanji: 明日葉
- Aisaka
- Meaning: Love hill
- Pronunciation: Eye-sah-kah
- Kanji: 愛坂
- Ayase
- Meaning: Swift Current
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah-seh
- Kanji: 綾瀬
- Akiho
- Meaning: Autumn sparkle
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-hoh
- Kanji: 秋穂
- Aine
- Meaning: Sound of Love
- Pronunciation: Eye-neh
- Kanji: 愛音
- Amaiko
- Meaning: Sweet child
- Pronunciation: Ah-my-koh
- Kanji: 甘子
- Ashika
- Meaning: Reed flower
- Pronunciation: Ah-shee-kah
- Kanji: 芦花
- Ayana
- Meaning: Colorful silk
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah-nah
- Kanji: 綾奈
- Airin
- Meaning: Jasmine forest
- Pronunciation: Eye-reen
- Kanji: 愛林
Japanese Last Names That Start With “A”
So you’re done finalizing the first name for your little one but still scratching your head for the last one. You’re doing great; relax, as we’ve gathered some Japanese last names that start with “A,” too. Whether you need a last name for your baby or want to follow the trend of using last names as first names, these options are spot on. So, let the browsing begin.
- Abe
- Meaning: Area of reeds
- Pronunciation: Ah-beh
- Kanji: 阿部
- Adachi
- Meaning: Rising sun field
- Pronunciation: Ah-dah-chee
- Kanji: 安達
- Aihara
- Meaning: Peaceful field
- Pronunciation: Eye-hah-rah
- Kanji: 相原
- Aizawa
- Meaning: Marsh of meeting
- Pronunciation: Eye-zah-wah
- Kanji: 相澤
- Akimoto
- Meaning: Base of autumn
- Pronunciation: Ah-kee-moh-toh
- Kanji: 秋本
- Akutsu
- Meaning: Bay harbor
- Pronunciation: Ah-koo-tsoo
- Kanji: 阿久津
- Aiyumi
- Meaning: Colorful beauty
- Pronunciation: Eye-yoo-mee
- Kanji: 彩美
- Ando
- Meaning: Peaceful wisteria
- Pronunciation: Ahn-doh
- Kanji: 安藤
- Arakawa
- Meaning: Wild river
- Pronunciation: Ah-rah-kah-wah
- Kanji: 荒川
- Aoki
- Meaning: Blue tree
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-kee
- Kanji: 青木
- Aoyagi
- Meaning: Blue willow
- Pronunciation: Ah-oh-yah-gee
- Kanji: 青柳
- Aragaki
- Meaning: Wild fence
- Pronunciation: Ah-rah-gah-kee
- Kanji: 新垣
- Araki
- Meaning: Wild tree
- Pronunciation: Ah-rah-kee
- Kanji: 荒木
- Arakida
- Meaning: Wild field
- Pronunciation: Ah-rah-kee-dah
- Kanji: 荒木田
- Asano
- Meaning: Morning field
- Pronunciation: Ah-sah-noh
- Kanji: 浅野
- Ashikaga
- Meaning: Reed river
- Pronunciation: Ah-shee-kah-gah
- Kanji: 足利
- Ashida
- Meaning: Reed field
- Pronunciation: Ah-shee-dah
- Kanji: 芦田
- Azumaya
- Meaning: Eastern valley
- Pronunciation: Ah-zoo-mah-yah
- Kanji: 東谷
- Awano
- Meaning: Peaceful field
- Pronunciation: Ah-wah-noh
- Kanji: 粟野
- Ayabe
- Meaning: Woven area
- Pronunciation: Ah-yah-beh
- Kanji: 綾部
- Ayuhara
- Meaning: Field of walking
- Pronunciation: Ah-yoo-hah-rah
- Kanji: 鮎原
- Azai
- Meaning: Shallow indigo
- Pronunciation: Ah-zah-ee
- Kanji: 浅井
- Amino
- Meaning: Net field
- Pronunciation: Ah-mee-noh
- Kanji: 網野
- Akeda
- Meaning: Bamboo field
- Pronunciation: Ah-keh-dah
- Kanji: 明田
- Amari
- Meaning: Excess village
- Pronunciation: Ah-mah-ree
- Kanji: 余
- Akutagawa
- Meaning: Field river
- Pronunciation: Ah-koo-tah-gah-wah
- Kanji: 芥川
- Ajibana
- Meaning: Flower taste
- Pronunciation: Ah-jee-bah-nah
- Kanji: 味花
- Akashi
- Meaning: Red stone
- Pronunciation: Ah-kah-shee
- Kanji: 明石
- Akeboshi
- Meaning: Dawn star
- Pronunciation: Ah-keh-boh-shee
- Kanji: 明星
- Anzai
- Meaning: Peaceful residence
- Pronunciation: Ahn-zah-ee
- Kanji: 安西
Things You Must Know About Japanese Names Starting With “A”
In Japanese culture, many names beginning with the letter “A” are quite common and often carry positive meanings like love, beauty, and more. Some of the most popular “A” Japanese names are Ai (愛), meaning ‘love’; Akira (あきら), meaning ‘bright’ or ‘clear’; and Aki (秋) meaning ‘autumn.’ Sure, these are the common names, but there are plenty of rare picks out there with meanings just as gorgeous!
Starting with the letter “A,” the Japanese name Ai (愛) stands out with its beautiful meaning, as it translates to the word “love” in Japanese and is mostly used for girls.
Many well-known Japanese figures have names that start with the letter “A,” inspiring parents to choose similar names for their babies. Plus, anime and manga fans often name their little ones after favorite characters whose names start with “A” too. This mix of cultural admiration and fandom has made “A” names a trendy and meaningful choice for modern Japanese families.
A large number of Japanese names starting with “A” are full of charm, meaning, and cultural significance. Their meanings don’t stick to just one thing but cast a wide net, spanning from beautiful, lovely interpretations to those with a slightly darker undertone.
Our recommendation: If you’re considering any of these names for your little one, we recommend doing a bit more research on their meanings.
Conclusion
While many non-Japanese individuals choose names with specific meanings like sun, moon, or star, Japanese names that start with “A” are way more diverse when it comes to meanings. Many of these names have beautiful meanings, though some may seem unusual to certain tastes (not the ones from our carefully curated lists, of course!).
Many Japanese parents go for names that begin with “A” for their little ones. Samurai traditions, symbolizing strength inspire some, while others draw from their love of anime or continue a family naming pattern of A-naming. One of the most popular Japanese names beginning with “A” is ‘Aoi’ (葵), a unisex name suitable for both boys and girls.
Many of these names can be spelled in different ways, and each version has its distinct meaning based on the Kanji characters used. Whatever your reason for choosing an A-starting name, we hope you’ve enjoyed exploring our lists and discovered the perfect Japanese name for your precious one!
If you’re looking for Japanese names that start with a specific letter, charming K names, stylish S names, heartfelt H names, yummy Y names, meaningful M names, joyful J names, and timeless T names offer a variety of great choices.