50 Mystic Japanese Names That Mean Dark(Must-See)

Written by Daisy
Last updated:
japanese city with lantern at the dark

Are you hunting for 50 Japanese names that mean dark? If yes, I have scoured the internet to find the most thrilling and elegant names for your cherub.

Many people have a misconception that they should always stick to names meaning something positive. If you choose a name with a negative meaning, everyone believes the child’s life will be negatively influenced. But that’s not true.

For instance, darkness can symbolize strength, knowledge, mystery, and power. Ahead, you’ll read many Japanese names with deep meanings. This will change your mindset, and you’ll be impatient to name your little bundles of joy with any pick from this list. 

Japanese Names That Mean Dark For Girls

1. Ahma

Kanji: あふま

Meaning: Black rain.

Pronunciation: A-Ma

This is a gorgeous name for girls born in the rainy months, from September to November.

2. Akuhei

Kanji: 悪弊

Meaning: Evil.

Pronunciation: A-Ku-Ei

The name Akuhei is also associated with strength and power.

3. Kage

Kanji: かげ

Meaning: Shadow.

Pronunciation: Ka-geh

If your girl is born at night, you should definitely name her Kage. It is also a popular Japanese surname. 

4. Chiyo

Kanji: 千 

Meaning: Bloody night.

Pronunciation: kòhákú

The name has a variety of symbolic meanings, including prosperity, longevity, and inner strength.

5. Somberu

Kanji: くすんだ

Meaning: To be born in the evening.

Pronunciation: Sohm-bey-ru

It is the perfect moniker for a baby girl born in the twilight. 

6. Youko

Kanji:ようく

Meaning: Night child.

Pronunciation: Yoh-Koh

Youko is excellent for girls born under the moon’s light. 

7. Ahmya

Kanji: 天弥

Meaning: Black rain.

Pronunciation: Ah-MY-a

I think this would be a really fitting name for a child born on a rainy day or whose parents first met in the rain. So romantic, isn’t it?

8. Amaya

Kanji: 雨夜

Meaning: Night rain or mother city. 

Pronunciation: A-ma-ya

Another great name for a child born on a rainy day with a pleasant sound.

9. Kanashi 

Kanji: 悲しい

Meaning: Sorrowful or sad. 

Pronunciation: Kan-a-si

Not everyone will like a name denoting depression, but it sounds really nice.

10. Maria

Kanji: まりあ

Meaning: The sea of bitterness. 

Pronunciation: Mah-ri-yah

Maria is one of the most popular international names, but it’s interesting how only a few people know its meaning.

11. Sunako

Kanji: 砂子

Meaning: Dark side. 

Pronunciation: Sun-ah-ko

Sunako can also mean the fruit or necessary. When you say this name aloud, it sounds so cute.

12. Warui

Kanji: わるい

Meaning: Wicked or bad.

Pronunciation: Wa-ru-ee

Warui is also a Kenyan name. In that culture, it means a person who belongs to the river. If you’re looking for a name with double meaning, here’s the one.

13. Yoru

Kanji: 夜 

Meaning: Darkness.

Pronunciation: Yo-roo

Yoru directly means dark or night. It’s also associated with the idea of hope and renewal.

14. Yui

Kanji: ゆい

Meaning: Alone.

Pronunciation: Yoo-ee

This is a short three-syllable name. Yui is also the name of a popular anime and manga series.

15. Higa 

Kanji: ひが

Meaning: Evil.

Pronunciation: Hee-gah

It also means untrue. It can be seen as a symbol of strength and determination in adversity.

16. Akumu

Kanji: あくむ

Meaning: Nightmare. 

Pronunciation: Ah-koo-moo

This feminine name truly stands out. It is a reminder to stay aware of our thoughts and feelings.

17. Koko

Kanji: 此処

Meaning: Black foot.

Pronunciation: Koh-Koh

Koko also denotes night. It is sweet and strong, a perfect blend of old-fashioned charm and modern style.

18. Kuroi

Kanji: 黒い

Meaning: Black.

Pronunciation: Koor-oh-ee

Kuroi embraces the sophistication and beauty of the darkness. 

japanese names that mean dark for girls

Japanese Names That Mean Dark For Boys

19. Kuro

Kanji: くろ

Meaning: Black or ninth son. 

Pronunciation: Kur-oH

This imposing name usually connotes mystery and darkness.

20. Inkyo

Kanji: いんきょ

Meaning: Shadow 

Pronunciation: Een-kyoh

Inkyo can also be interpreted as the dark side of life. What I like about it is how it can be viewed as both negative and positive. 

21. Kaiyo

Kanji: 海洋

Meaning: Darkness or ocean.

Pronunciation: KAA-iy-Yow

Japanese folks view Kaiyo as the vastness of the ocean or sea darkness. 

22. Akuji

Kanji: あくじ

Meaning: Bad deed or evil.

Pronunciation: Ah-koo-jee

In Africa, Akuji means dead yet awake. It is often associated with bravery, courage, loyalty, and strength.

23. Akuma

Kanji: あくま

Meaning: Demon or devil.

Pronunciation: Aku-MAH or A-koo-ma

In Japanese Christianity, Akuma means Satan. 

24. Boutoku

Kanji: ぼうと

Meaning: Cursed soul or blasphemy. 

Pronunciation: Bo-tok-oo

Boutoku is also a fictional character in Naruto Fanon

25. Inei

Kanji: 胤裔

Meaning: Shadow or dark.

Pronunciation: Ae-ney

Inei is a sublime and sweet name. It is often given to honor a loved one, conveying a sense of eternal love and devotion.

26. Kirai

Kanji: きらい

Meaning: Dislike or hate.

Pronunciation: Kee-rah-ee

It is another version of the name Kira.

27. Kowai

Kanji: こわい

Meaning: Scary.

Pronunciation: Koh-wah-ee

This is another great name if you appreciate names with many layers of meanings. It also means small, harmonious and calm.

28. Kuragari

Kanji: らがり

Meaning: Darkness.

Pronunciation: Kùrágárí

Kuragari is often used to symbolize danger, fear, and uncertainty. 

29. Kurai

Kanji: らい

Meaning: Gloomy or dark.

Pronunciation: Koo-ra-ee

Kurai is actually a Japanese adjective. It’s also a great choice for parents who want to give their children a name with an exotic and mysterious flair.

30. Kuraim

Kanji: 蔵真 

Meaning: Gloomy and dark.

Pronunciation: Koo-ra-eem

This is an international and timeless name that is very popular in Qatar. 

31. Kurayami

Kanji: らやみ

Meaning: Darkness.

Pronunciation: Koo-ra-yah-mee

This name has fictional references, especially in Bleach, where it means a God of death. 

32. Kurashi

Kanji: 暮し

Meaning: Dark.

Pronunciation: Koo-ra-si

It also means “fortunate” and is often given to a family’s firstborn child.

33. Kureru

Kanji: 呉れる

Meaning: To get dark. 

Pronunciation: Koo-rah-roo

It also means “to give.” Although “dark” sounds negative, the name Kureru carries positive connotations of generosity and kindness.

34. Kuroshi

Kanji: 黒潮

Meaning: Dark or black.

Pronunciation: Koo-ro-shee

Kuro denotes black, while shi means death. Kuroshi is also popular in other cultures and has been used in various contexts outside of Japan.

35. Orochi

Kanji: 大蛇

Meaning: A big snake.

Pronunciation: Oh-ro-chee

The most famous Orochi is the eight-headed dragon from Japanese mythology.

36. Aku

Kanji: あく

Meaning: Wicked.

Pronunciation: Ah-koo

Aku also means evil.

37. Ashi

Kanji: あし

Meaning: Evil.

Pronunciation: Ah-shee

It also means wickedness.

38. Ebiru

Kanji: エビル

Meaning: Evil.

Pronunciation: Eh-bee-roo

In Igbo, Ebiru can mean ‘desire’ or ‘dream.’ In Yoruba, it’s often used to describe someone as ‘happy,’ ‘joyful,’ or ‘blessed.’

39. Fuzen

Kanji: ふぜん

Meaning: Sin, mischief, or evil.

Pronunciation: Foo-zen

Sin is also a reminder of the importance of forgiveness, so Fuzen also has a positive meaning behind it.

40. Taihen

Kanji: 大変 

Meaning: Awful.

Pronunciation: Tay-hen

The literal translation is “too much” or “excess.”

japanese warriors is sitting and thinking.

Gender-Neutral Japanese Names That Mean Dark

41. Kai

Kanji: かい

Meaning: Mystery or black. 

Pronunciation: Kah-ee

Kai is actually the symbol of the unknown. In other words, you may depict this name as positive or negative. 

42. Jikan

Kanji: じかん

Meaning: Time and darkness. 

Pronunciation: Jee-kan

Japanese interpret Jikan as the darkness of the soul or the night darkness. 

43. Chi

Kanji:

Meaning: Black 

Pronunciation: Ch-ee

Chi is often viewed as a metaphor for the heart’s darkness. 

44. Aoi

Kanji: 青い

Meaning: Blue or dark.

Pronunciation: Ah-oh-EE

People interpret Aoi as the darkness of the night sky or the water. It’s also a popular name for several characters in Japanese literature and anime,

45. Kure

Kanji: 呉市

Meaning: Black

Pronunciation: Koo-reh

Kure is a representation of the soul’s darkness or the nighttime gloom. 

46. Yami

Kanji: やみ

Meaning: Mystery or black.

Pronunciation: Yah-mee

A positive or negative symbol of the unknown.

47. Yuki

Kanji:

Meaning: Moon.

Pronunciation: Yoo-kee

Yami also has a spiritual significance in many different cultures.

48. Shiro

Kanji: しろ

Meaning: Dark silver. 

Pronunciation: Shee-roh

Shiro also means a sign of good luck or the moonlight. 

49. Mayu

Kanji: 麻友

Meaning: Moon.

Pronunciation: Mah-yoo

Another meaning of the name is “true” or “genuine.”

50. Muga

Kanji: 無我

Meaning: Nothing

Pronunciation: Moo-gah

Opt for a name that has no specific connotations but evokes feelings of strength, courage, knowledge, and understanding.

dark sky and the trees

FAQs

6 Ideas to Craft a Perfect Japanese Name That Means Dark

  1. Follow this order – Surname and then add the first name. 
  2. Consider the kanji as well. 
  3. Only pick two kanji for your name. 
  4. Pick the kanji you like. 
  5. If you have a special Japanese family name meaning dark, go with that. 
  6. Pick a name with tradition. 

That’s it!

5 Reasons to Have a Japanese Name That Means Dark

  1. Your child will gain a strong personality.
  2. The kid will have an unconventional perspective on life.
  3. Your child will stand out in the crowd and class.
  4. Your little one will be intelligent and mature.
  5. Your baby will be unique and special.

Final Thoughts

I hope you see dark and names meaning darkness in a different light now. Were you impressed with my curated list of 50 Japanese names that mean dark for your baby? Which names did you like the best? 

Wanna get more first name ideas and middle name ideas, check out our guides: Best First Name Ideas and Best Middle Name Ideas.

Feel free to tell me in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

Photo of author
Daisy Martinez, a Certified Financial Planner and mother of two, blends finance expertise from Ohio State and Anderson School of Management with hands-on parenting insights. Founder of "mamallove.com" and "cashsavvytips.com", she's passionate about guiding parents in financial and parenting realms.

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3 thoughts on “50 Mystic Japanese Names That Mean Dark(Must-See)<span class="wtr-time-wrap after-title"><span class="wtr-time-number">8</span> min read</span>”

  1. Stop smoking crack! “Ama” does not mean Black Rain in Japanese! あふま is not Kanji. It is hiragana! It is also not pronounced A-Ma. it is pronounced A-Fu-Ma. “Afuma” is not a recognized Japanese word, and it does not have a specific meaning in Japanese.

    Here are the meanings and Kanji:

    海女: “Ama” can refer to “sea women” or “female divers” who engage in traditional underwater activities such as fishing, pearl diving, or collecting seafood.

    甘い: “Ama” can mean “sweet” or “sweetness.” It is often used to describe the taste of something sugary or as an adjective to express something pleasant or agreeable.

    天: “Ama” can represent the kanji character “天,” which means “heaven” or “sky.” It is used in various words and phrases related to celestial or divine concepts.

    雨: “Ama” can mean “rain.” This is a more general term for rain, without any specific connotation.

    尼: “Ama” can refer to “nun” or “sister,” particularly in Buddhist contexts.

    網: “Ama” can mean “net” or “web.” It can be used in various contexts related to fishing nets, spider webs, or metaphorical connections.

    余計なお世話: “Ama” can be used in the phrase “ama ni osewa” (余計なお世話) to express interference or unwanted meddling in someone’s affairs.

    The term for “black rain” in Japanese is “kuroame” (黒雨), where “kuro” means “black” and “ame” means “rain.”

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