165+ Japanese Names that Start with “S”
Plenty of Japanese names are inspired by nature and culture, and those starting with S are no exception. Parents, especially mamas who love anime, have their favorite characters with Japanese names that start with S. This lets them honor their little ones with any of their favorite anime characters’ names beginning with S.
Though there are endless options for such names—leaving you hemming and hawing, our list of Japanese names beginning with S, laid below, has made choosing easy-peasy. It includes names for everyone, whether you’ve a baby girl, or boy, or looking for gender-neutral options, you’re invited to the party. So, let’s get gazing!
Japanese Male Names That Start With S
Like many Japanese names, those starting with the letter S are deep in meaning. However, the appeal of giving your little boy a Japanese ‘S’ name goes beyond its meaning—it’s also about their stylish kanji appearance and cool sound.
If these names intrigue you, we’ve compiled a list of Japanese male names starting with S below, along with their meanings and kanji characters that surely will make you say, “Finally, just what I wanted”!
- Soutarou
- Meaning: Quick, Talented
- Pronunciation: Soh-tah-roo
- Kanji: 宗太郎
- Shiro
- Meaning: White, Fourth Son
- Pronunciation: Shee-roh
- Kanji: 四郎
- Shun
- Meaning: Talented, Quick
- Pronunciation: Shoon
- Kanji: 駿
- Sho
- Meaning: Soar, Fly
- Pronunciation: Shoh
- Kanji: 翔
- Shoma
- Meaning: True Soaring
- Pronunciation: Shoh-mah
- Kanji: 翔真
- Sora
- Meaning: Sky
- Pronunciation: Soh-rah
- Kanji: 空
- Sakuraya
- Meaning: Cherry Blossom Night
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah-yah
- Kanji: 桜夜
- Seiichi
- Meaning: Sincere First Son
- Pronunciation: Say-ee-chee
- Kanji: 誠一
- Shuji
- Meaning: Disciplined Second Son
- Pronunciation: Shoo-jee
- Kanji: 修二
- Shigen
- Meaning: Resourceful
- Pronunciation: Shee-gehn
- Kanji: 資源
- Shinji
- Meaning: Truthful Second Son
- Pronunciation: Sheen-jee
- Kanji: 信二
- Shingo
- Meaning: Truthful Protector
- Pronunciation: Sheen-goh
- Kanji: 真護
- Sakuya
- Meaning: Blooming Night
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-yah
- Kanji: 咲夜
- Shota
- Meaning: Soaring Great
- Pronunciation: Shoh-tah
- Kanji: 翔太
- Suguru
- Meaning: Excellent
- Pronunciation: Soo-goo-roo
- Kanji: 優
- Saizo
- Meaning: Fast Three
- Pronunciation: Sah-ee-zoh
- Kanji: 才蔵
- Subaru
- Meaning: Cluster Of Stars (Pleiades)
- Pronunciation: Soo-bah-roo
- Kanji: 昴
- Seiji
- Meaning: Sincere Second Son
- Pronunciation: Say-jee
- Kanji: 誠二
- Saburo
- Meaning: Third Son
- Pronunciation: Sah-boo-roh
- Kanji: 三郎
- Seitaro
- Meaning: Sincere Eldest Son
- Pronunciation: Say-tah-roh
- Kanji: 清太郎
- Sanoha
- Meaning: Blooming Leaves
- Pronunciation: Sah-no-hah
- Kanji: 咲葉
- Shinsuke
- Meaning: True Helper
- Pronunciation: Sheen-soo-keh
- Kanji: 真助
- Sumio
- Meaning: Pure Man
- Pronunciation: Soo-mee-oh
- Kanji: 澄雄
- Sorata
- Meaning: Sky Field
- Pronunciation: Soh-rah-tah
- Kanji: 空田
- Shigenori
- Meaning: Resourceful Principles
- Pronunciation: Shee-geh-noh-ree
- Kanji: 茂典
- Saika
- Meaning: Fragrant Blossom
- Pronunciation: Sah-ee-kah
- Kanji: 彩花
- Sakuka
- Meaning: Blooming Fragrance
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-kah
- Kanji: 咲香
- Shuzo
- Meaning: Disciplined Three
- Pronunciation: Shoo-zoh
- Kanji: 修三
- Shogo
- Meaning: Soaring Protector
- Pronunciation: Shoh-goh
- Kanji: 翔護
- Saku
- Meaning: Bloom
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo
- Kanji: 咲
- Shimei
- Meaning: Clear Life
- Pronunciation: Shee-may
- Kanji: 清明
- Soryu
- Meaning: Blue Dragon
- Pronunciation: Soh-ryoo
- Kanji: 蒼竜
- Shuto
- Meaning: Disciplined Person
- Pronunciation: Shoo-toh
- Kanji: 修人
- Seiho
- Meaning: Pure Peak
- Pronunciation: Say-hoh
- Kanji: 清峰
- Sojiro
- Meaning: Bright Son
- Pronunciation: Soh-jee-roh
- Kanji: 宗次郎
- Sasuna
- Meaning: Bamboo Night Flower
- Pronunciation: Sah-soo-nah
- Kanji: 笹花
- Shotaiki
- Meaning: Great Atmosphere
- Pronunciation: Shoh-tai-kee
- Kanji: 翔大気
- Shinobu
- Meaning: Endurance
- Pronunciation: Shee-noh-boo
- Kanji: 忍
- Soichiro
- Meaning: First Bright Son
- Pronunciation: Soh-ee-chee-roh
- Kanji: 総一郎
- Sento
- Meaning: Thousand Lights
- Pronunciation: Sen-toh
- Kanji: 千灯
- Shima
- Meaning: Island
- Pronunciation: Shee-mah
- Kanji: 島
- Sazuna
- Meaning: Peaceful Bloom
- Pronunciation: Sah-zoo-nah
- Kanji: 紗綱
- Shiun
- Meaning: Purple Cloud
- Pronunciation: Shee-oon
- Kanji: 紫雲
- Sosuke
- Meaning: Helping Others
- Pronunciation: Soh-soo-keh
- Kanji: 宗介
- Sakuhei
- Meaning: Peaceful Bloom
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-hey
- Kanji: 咲平
- Setsuo
- Meaning: Snowman
- Pronunciation: Sets-oo-oh
- Kanji: 雪雄
- Shinpei
- Meaning: Truthful Peace
- Pronunciation: Sheen-pay
- Kanji: 信平
- Shigenari
- Meaning: Resourceful Advancement
- Pronunciation: Shee-geh-nah-ree
- Kanji: 茂成
- Sumihiro
- Meaning: Pure Vastness
- Pronunciation: Soo-mee-hee-roh
- Kanji: 澄宏
- Shizuna
- Meaning: Quiet Blooming Flower
- Pronunciation: Shee-zoo-nah
- Kanji: 静花
Female Japanese Names Starting With S
Whether you have some favorite anime girl characters or have friends in Japan you chat with every day, these Japanese S names for girls are perfect to set your little pinky ponky apart from the crowd. So, why not make her stand out from the very of her first day? Poke around in our list of S-starting female Japanese names laid below and dig up the one that suits your cutie’s cute traits!
- Sakura
- Meaning: Cherry Blossom
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah
- Kanji: 桜
- Sayuri
- Meaning: Small Lily
- Pronunciation: Sah-yoo-ree
- Kanji: 小百合
- Sorano
- Meaning: Sky Field
- Pronunciation: Sah-eh
- Kanji: 紗英
- Satsuki
- Meaning: Fifth Month (May)
- Pronunciation: Sahts-kee
- Kanji: 皐月
- Shiori
- Meaning: Bookmark, Poem
- Pronunciation: Shee-oh-ree
- Kanji: 栞
- Suzuka
- Meaning: Bell Blossom
- Pronunciation: Soo-zoo-kah
- Kanji: 鈴花
- Sanae
- Meaning: Rice Seedlings
- Pronunciation: Sah-nah-eh
- Kanji: 早苗
- Satomi
- Meaning: Beautiful Village
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh-mee
- Kanji: 里美
- Sumire
- Meaning: Violet (Flower)
- Pronunciation: Soo-mee-reh
- Kanji: 菫
- Saki
- Meaning: Blossom, Hope
- Pronunciation: Sah-kee
- Kanji: 咲
- Sayaka
- Meaning: Clear, Fresh
- Pronunciation: Sah-yah-kah
- Kanji: 清香
- Saeko
- Meaning: Serene Child
- Pronunciation: Sah-eh-koh
- Kanji: 紗恵子
- Suzune
- Meaning: Bell Sound
- Pronunciation: Soo-zoo-neh
- Kanji: 鈴音
- Saori
- Meaning: Fabric Weave
- Pronunciation: Sah-oh-ree
- Kanji: 沙織
- Suzume
- Meaning: Sparrow
- Pronunciation: Soo-zoo-meh
- Kanji: 雀
- Sakiko
- Meaning: Blossoming Child
- Pronunciation: Sah-kee-koh
- Kanji: 咲子
- Sumika
- Meaning: Clear Fragrance
- Pronunciation: Soo-mee-kah
- Kanji: 澄香
- Setsuna
- Meaning: Moment, Instant
- Pronunciation: Sets-nah
- Kanji: 刹那
- Sachiko
- Meaning: Happy Child
- Pronunciation: Sah-chee-koh
- Kanji: 幸子
- Suzumi
- Meaning: Cool Breeze
- Pronunciation: Soo-zoo-mee
- Kanji: 涼美
- Sayu
- Meaning: Small Gentleness
- Pronunciation: Sah-yoo
- Kanji: 紗優
- Shizuka
- Meaning: Quiet, Calm
- Pronunciation: Shee-zoo-kah
- Kanji: 静香
- Sachie
- Meaning: Happiness Blessing
- Pronunciation: Sah-chee-eh
- Kanji: 幸恵
- Sorami
- Meaning: Sky Beauty
- Pronunciation: Soh-rah-mee
- Kanji: 空美
- Seina
- Meaning: Star Vegetables
- Pronunciation: Say-nah
- Kanji: 星菜
- Sana
- Meaning: Calm, Gentle
- Pronunciation: Sah-nah
- Kanji: 紗奈
- Shion
- Meaning: Aster
- Pronunciation: Shee-ohn
- Kanji: 詩音
- Sonomi
- Meaning: Garden Bbeauty
- Pronunciation: Soh-noh-mee
- Kanji: 園美
- Setsuko
- Meaning: Snow Child
- Pronunciation: Sets-koh
- Kanji: 雪子
- Satoko
- Meaning: Wise Child
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh-koh
- Kanji: 智子
- Sayuki
- Meaning: Gentle Snow Blossom
- Pronunciation: Sah-yoo-kee
- Kanji: 佐雪
- Satsukiha
- Meaning: Early Summer Leaves
- Pronunciation: Sahts-kee-hah
- Kanji: 皐葉
- Suzuhime
- Meaning: Bell Princess
- Pronunciation: Soo-zoo-hee-meh
- Kanji: 鈴姫
- Sarasa
- Meaning: Chintz Fabric
- Pronunciation: Sah-rah-sah
- Kanji: 更紗
- Seiko
- Meaning: Serene Child
- Pronunciation: Say-koh
- Kanji: 清子
- Sakae
- Meaning: Prosperity
- Pronunciation: Sah-kah-eh
- Kanji: 栄
- Shino
- Meaning: Bamboo Stalk
- Pronunciation: Shee-noh
- Kanji: 篠
- Sachina
- Meaning: Happy Vegetable
- Pronunciation: Sah-chee-nah
- Kanji: 幸菜
- Suzuha
- Meaning: Bell Leaves
- Pronunciation: Soo-zoo-hah
- Kanji: 鈴葉
- Sonoka
- Meaning: Garden Fragrance
- Pronunciation: Soh-noh-kah
- Kanji: 園香
- Satoha
- Meaning: Wise Blade
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh-hah
- Kanji: 智葉
- Sumiyo
- Meaning: Clear Generation
- Pronunciation: Soo-mee-yoh
- Kanji: 澄代
- Sorae
- Meaning: Sky Painting
- Pronunciation: Soh-rah-eh
- Kanji: 空絵
- Saeka
- Meaning: Serene Fragrance
- Pronunciation: Sah-eh-kah
- Kanji: 紗香
- Shizu
- Meaning: Quiet
- Pronunciation: Shee-zoo
- Kanji: 静
- Sunae
- Meaning: Sand Painting
- Pronunciation: Soo-nah-eh
- Kanji: 砂絵
- Sugina
- Meaning: Horsetail Plant
- Pronunciation: Soo-gee-nah
- Kanji: 杉菜
- Sayakae
- Meaning: Clear Brilliance
- Pronunciation: Sah-yah-kah-eh
- Kanji: 清栄
- Saomi
- Meaning: Serene Beauty
- Pronunciation: Sah-oh-mee
- Kanji: 沙美
- Shinoha
- Meaning: Bamboo Leaves
- Pronunciation: Shee-noh-hah
- Kanji: 篠葉
Japanese Last Names Starting With S
If you’re on a visit to Japan, you probably won’t be back home without a touch of Japanese vibe in you. This could be many things, and adding a Japanese last name starting with S to your current one is one of them.
Or if you’re an anime fan and want that kinda name for yourself or your little one, sift through the perfect names from our list of S-beginning Japanese last names—pulling inspiration from Japanese culture.
- Satou
- Meaning: Village Wisteria
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh
- Kanji: 佐藤
- Sakuraba
- Meaning: Garden Of Cherry Blossoms
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah-bah
- Kanji: 桜庭
- Sanada
- Meaning: Above The Willow Tree
- Pronunciation: Sah-nah-dah
- Kanji: 真田
- Shimizu
- Meaning: Pure Water
- Pronunciation: Shee-mee-zoo
- Kanji: 清水
- Sugimoto
- Meaning: Base Of The Pine
- Pronunciation: Soo-gee-moh-to
- Kanji: 杉本
- Shirakawa
- Meaning: White River
- Pronunciation: Shee-rah-kah-wah
- Kanji: 白川
- Shibasaki
- Meaning: Brushwood Peninsula
- Pronunciation: Sah-sah-hah-rah
- Kanji: 柴崎
- Sugawara
- Meaning: Canal On a Plain
- Pronunciation: Soo-gah-wah-rah
- Kanji: 菅原
- Saotome
- Meaning: Generation Of Assistants
- Pronunciation: Sah-oh-toh-meh
- Kanji: 早乙女
- Shigemoto
- Meaning: Fertile Base
- Pronunciation: Shee-geh-moh-to
- Kanji: 重本
- Saitama
- Meaning: Assistant Shore
- Pronunciation: Sai-tah-mah
- Kanji: 埼玉
- Sanuki
- Meaning: Central Land
- Pronunciation: Sah-noo-kee
- Kanji: 讃岐
- Suganuma
- Meaning: Sandbank Village
- Pronunciation: Soo-gah-noo-mah
- Kanji: 菅沼
- Sugisawa
- Meaning: Cedar Marsh
- Pronunciation: Soo-gee-sah-wah
- Kanji: 杉沢
- Sasai
- Meaning: Small Crest
- Pronunciation: Sah-sai
- Kanji: 佐斉
- Sonoda
- Meaning: FIeld Door
- Pronunciation: Soh-noh-dah
- Kanji: 園田
- Satoya
- Meaning: Village at Night
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh-yah
- Kanji: 里夜
- Shimono
- Meaning: Beneath the Peach Tree
- Pronunciation: Shee-moh-noh
- Kanji: 下野
- Sakamoto
- Meaning: Above the Ridge
- Pronunciation: Sah-kah-moh-to
- Kanji: 坂本
- Sumida
- Meaning: Calm Rice Field
- Pronunciation: Soo-mee-dah
- Kanji: 隅田
- Shishido
- Meaning: Way of the Lion
- Pronunciation: Shee-shee-doh
- Kanji: 鹿城
- Sakai
- Meaning: Beach
- Pronunciation: Sah-kai
- Kanji: 堺
- Shimabukuro
- Meaning: Central Lagoon
- Pronunciation: Shee-mah-boo-koh-roo
- Kanji: 島袋
- Soeda
- Meaning: Early Rice Field
- Pronunciation: Soh-eh-dah
- Kanji: 瀬田
- Shimizui
- Meaning: Pure Water’s Origin
- Pronunciation: Shee-mee-zoo-ee
- Kanji: 清澄井
- Sunahara
- Meaning: Sand Field
- Pronunciation: Soo-nah-hah-rah
- Kanji: 砂原
- Shimizaka
- Meaning: Pure Hill
- Pronunciation: Shee-mee-zah-kah
- Kanji: 清見坂
- Shiraki
- Meaning: White Castle
- Pronunciation: Shee-rah-kee
- Kanji: 白木
- Shionoya
- Meaning: Field of Asters
- Pronunciation: Shee-oh-noh-yah
- Kanji: 紫苑屋
- Saionji
- Meaning: Barrier Entrance
- Pronunciation: Seh-kee-goo-chee
- Kanji: 関口
- Sodeoka
- Meaning: Sleeves Hill
- Pronunciation: Soh-deh-oh-kah
- Kanji: 袖岡
- Souta
- Meaning: Big Rice Field
- Pronunciation: Soh-tah
- Kanji: 惣太
- Shinoda
- Meaning: New Rice Field
- Pronunciation: Shee-noh-dah
- Kanji: 篠田
- Sasahara
- Meaning: Above the Wild Meadow
- Pronunciation: Sah-sah-hah-rah
- Kanji: 笹原
- Sawamura
- Meaning: Marsh Village
- Pronunciation: Sah-wah-moo-rah
- Kanji: 沢村
- Sawayama
- Meaning: Plain With Reeds
- Pronunciation: Sah-wah-yah-mah
- Kanji: 沢山
- Shimizuka
- Meaning: Pure Hill
- Pronunciation: Shee-mee-zoo-kah
- Kanji: 清見塚
- Sayama
- Meaning: Plain of Tea Fields
- Pronunciation: Sah-yah-mah
- Kanji: 狭山
- Sakurada
- Meaning: Gate of the Cherry Blossoms
- Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah-dah
- Kanji: 桜田
- Saito
- Meaning: Assistant, Helper
- Pronunciation: Sai-to
- Kanji: 斉藤
Unisex Japanese Names That Start With S
If you couldn’t find any best matching name for your child from all the lists above, which is unlikely, these unisex Japanese names that start with S will charm your socks off.
Choosing one of these names is a wonderful way to embrace uniqueness while celebrating the growing trend of unisex names which have to boom even more in the new year—coming at us full speed. We’ve put in all the legwork to find these meaningful names so you don’t have to. Here are my top picks:
- Shiga
- Meaning: Peninsula
- Pronunciation: Shee-gah
- Kanji: 滋賀
- Satsue
- Meaning: Fifth-Month Branch
- Pronunciation: Sahts-oo-eh
- Kanji: 皐末
- Sabia
- Meaning: Wisdom
- Pronunciation: Sah-bee-ah
- Kanji: 素美
- Shinohara
- Meaning: Bamboo Field
- Pronunciation: Shee-no-hah-rah
- Kanji: 篠原
- Seta
- Meaning: Gentle Rice Field
- Pronunciation: Seh-tah
- Kanji: 瀬田
- Suya
- Meaning: Rapid Night
- Pronunciation: Soo-yah
- Kanji: 速夜
- Sain
- Meaning: Clear Sound
- Pronunciation: Sah-een
- Kanji: 紗音
- Shira
- Meaning: White Linen
- Pronunciation: Shee-rah
- Kanji: 白
- Sanju
- Meaning: Third Month
- Pronunciation: Sahn-joo
- Kanji: 三重
- Senta
- Meaning: Thousand Field
- Pronunciation: Sen-tah
- Kanji: 千田
- Seiya
- Meaning: Clear Night
- Pronunciation: Say-yah
- Kanji: 清夜
- Saiji
- Meaning: Grow First
- Pronunciation: Sah-ee-jee
- Kanji: 斉司
- Sawaguchi
- Meaning: Marsh Entrance
- Pronunciation: Sah-wah-goo-chee
- Kanji: 沢口
- Shitora
- Meaning: Rising Sun
- Pronunciation: Shee-toh-rah
- Kanji: 紫翔良
- Sarina
- Meaning: Wise Reason
- Pronunciation: Sah-ree-nah
- Kanji: 紗理奈
- Sumeki
- Meaning: Clear Fragrant
- Pronunciation: Soo-meh-kee
- Kanji: 澄香枝
- Shinta
- Meaning: True Center
- Pronunciation: Sheen-tah
- Kanji: 真多
- Sone
- Meaning: Vast Field
- Pronunciation: Soh-neh
- Kanji: 園
- Saiya
- Meaning: Clear Vegetable
- Pronunciation: Sah-ee-yah
- Kanji: 紗弥
- Shirai
- Meaning: Pure White
- Pronunciation: Shee-rah-ee
- Kanji: 白井
- Sode
- Meaning: Gentle Sleeves
- Pronunciation: Soh-deh
- Kanji: 袖
- Sanyu
- Meaning: Third Kindness
- Pronunciation: Sahn-yoo
- Kanji: 散優
- Satoshiro
- Meaning: Clever Son
- Pronunciation: Sah-toh-shee-roh
- Kanji: 聡志郎
- Senka
- Meaning: Thousand Flowers
- Pronunciation: Sen-kah
- Kanji: 千華
- Sotaka
- Meaning: Soaring Height
- Pronunciation: Soh-tah-kah
- Kanji: 宗高
- Seni
- Meaning: Calm Path
- Pronunciation: Seh-nee
- Kanji: 千韻
- Soe
- Meaning: Peaceful
- Pronunciation: Soh-eh
- Kanji: 宗永
- Sayoru
- Meaning: Gentle Flow
- Pronunciation: Sah-yoh-roo
- Kanji: 紗世流
- Shio
- Meaning: Salt
- Pronunciation: Shee-oh
- Kanji: 塩
- Sumako
- Meaning: Clear Child
- Pronunciation: Soo-mah-koh
- Kanji: 澄真子
Things You Must Know About Japanese Names Beginning with S
While so many Japanese names start with S, some are nature-inspired, some are cultural, and some are derived from any anime character—giving parents leeway to choose the perfect name. And many of those many S Japanese names reflect Japan’s beauty and tradition, giving your little nugget a sheeny, cute look.
If you, with your relatives, have been playing a naming game where everyone gives their newborn a name that starts with S, this is quite the right time to come up with quite a unique name and that’s of course a Japanese name that starts with S. Whether you just give a birth to a little prince or princess, the ‘S’ starting names are bound to fill you up with joy!
Some of these names might feel a bit ancient but that’s not a thing to be concerned about as these names are just a bit trendy these days. So, following the trend, it makes sense to honor your sweetie pie with an S Japanese name as soon as he arrives. Whether you prefer fiery, stary, lunar, snowy, watery, or dark Japanese names, you’ll for sure find one that begins with S.
It makes even more sense if you are planning to settle in Japan soon, as it’s more fun to see your little one bigging in Japan with Japanese names, especially those starting with S. Lots of these names can have different meanings because of how the characters are structured in Kanji, making it pretty fun to choose a name!
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
Finding a perfect moniker for your baby is a blend of fun and a bit of headache at the same time, but it’s super crucial to choose a name that fits their personality and that’s exactly what Japanese S names have to offer. Each one carries Japan’s beauty in words and has its own unique story to tell.
Let me give you a fun thing to do when choosing a name: once you’ve settled on one, say it out loud and see how it feels. It’ll bring a full of joy smile on your face. My favorite name is Sora, which means “sky” and is such a sweet name for your lil’ man. Just like this sweet-meaning name, dozens of the names have even sweeter meanings listed above.
We hope our collection of these Japanese names beginning with S has struck you with inspiration and helped in your selection process. Don’t hesitate to revisit this list whenever you need a little dose of inspiration or to share it with friends and family who may also be on the lookout for the perfect name!
If you’re looking for Japanese names that start with a specific letter, charming K names, amazing A names, yummy Y names, heartfelt H names, meaningful M names, joyful J names, and timeless T names offer a variety of great choices.