Are you hunting for meaningful and rare names inspired by shadow and darkness? You’ve arrived at the right place because today’s guide will unveil 40 Japanese Names That Mean Shadow!
My detail-oriented list will also show the kanji, meaning, and pronunciation so that you can understand each name deeply. Whether you wish to change your name, add a zesty name, or simply need an exotic moniker for your fiction story or video game, you will be amazed and inspired.
Let’s not wait anymore. Here we go!
40 Japanese Names that Mean Shadow
Among all the Asian cultures, Japan stands out quite poignantly owing to its rich history and articulate language. The country is also popular due to sushi, anime, and more phenomenon that have swept the globe.
Japanese folks take their native name meanings seriously. While most relate to nature, some also indicate shadow, darkness, evil spirits, and negative connotations.
If you’re here to choose such a unique name, follow me to the first section, where I’ll list the best feminine names.
Japanese Names That Mean Shadow for Girls
- Mikage
Kanji: みかげ orミカゲ.
Meaning: Shadow or excellent.
Pronunciation: mee-KAH-gay, mik-age or Mik-age.
Mikage also translates to beautiful.
- Eiko
Kanji: えいこ or エイコ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: e-cho or ay-koh.
This feminine name also means eternity, a splendid child and long-lived child.
- Kagemi
Kanji: カゲミor 影美
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Kah-gay-mee
Kagemi is an international name and also translates to splendid.
- Hokage
Kanji: 火影
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Ho-ka-ge, Hok-age, ho-KAH-gay.
Hokage also leads to fire-related meanings, such as burning or flames.
- Akiko
Kanji: 暁子
Meaning: Children and shadow.
Pronunciation: AH-kee-koh
Akiko is a beautiful and unique name that has an air of serenity and grace.
- Chikage
Kanji: 千景
Meaning: Young child or shadow.
Pronunciation: she-ka-gee
Chikage also translates to knowledge.
- Kagene
Kanji: かげね or カゲネ
Meaning: Sound, tone, voice, and shadow.
Pronunciation: Kah-gene
I like the beautiful translations emerging from a single name.
- Sunako
Kanji: すなこ or スナコ
Meaning: Dark side or shadow.
Pronunciation: Soo-nah-ko
This Japanese name originated from Christianity.
- Toyokage
Kanji: とよかげ orトヨカゲ
Meaning: Shadow or abundance.
Pronunciation: To-yo-kah-gay
This is a super popular feminine name in Japan.
- Koyo
Kanji: こよ or コヨ
Meaning: Lake, generation, or shadow.
Pronunciation: Ko-yoh
Koyo also translates to glitter, glow, and light.
- Yoru
Kanji: よる
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Yo-roo
Yoru means night, too.
- Yoko
Kanji: 子
Meaning: Child or shadow.
Pronunciation: yo-u-ko
It is also written as Yōko.
- Ei
Kanji: 影
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Aa-yi
This universal name also means prosperous and successful.
- Kumori
Kanji: 曇り
Meaning: Shadow or cloudy.
Pronunciation: Koo-moh-ree
Kumori actually refers to the shadows formed due to unpleasant weather.
- Myou
Kanji: 明
Meaning: Darkness or shadow.
Pronunciation: Mjo
Myou seems like an otherworldly name.
Also Read:
30 Nature-Based Japanese Names
50 Perfect Japanese Names That Mean Snow
50 Perfect Japanese Names That Mean Star
50 Japanese Names Meaning Water
Japanese Names that Mean Shadow for Boys
- Yoshikage
Kanji: よしかげ or ヨシカゲ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: YO-SHKA-GEH
Yoshikage also means solitude.
- Tsunekage
Kanji: つねかげ or ツネカゲ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Soo-ney-kah-gay
Tsunekage also means to pass away or something permanent.
- Kirikage
Kanji: きりかげ or キリカゲ
Meaning: Shadow, auspicious, or Empress tree.
Pronunciation: Kee-ree-kah-gay
This is a Naruto-inspired boy name.
- Kimikage
Kanji: きみかげ or キミカゲ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Kee-mee-kah-gay
Kimikage also means king.
- Kagetora
Kanji: かげとら or カゲトラ
Meaning: Tiger or shadow.
Pronunciation: kage-to-ra
It is suspected that Kagetora was first used in the 16th century by the elite class.
- Anzen
Kanji: 安全
Meaning: Unclear, gloomy, and black.
Pronunciation: Aan-zehn
This is a rare Japanese name, and I absolutely love its unique sound.
- Daaku
Kanji: 跑
Meaning: Darkness or shadow.
Pronunciation: Daa-koo
Daaku has a unique and mysterious sound, evoking images of strength and courage.
- Atsukage
Kanji: アツカゲ or 惇影
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Az-kah-gay
This masculine name also means sincerity, care, kindness, and humanity.
- Inei
Kanji: 陰翳
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Een-aye
Inei means darkness too.
- Norikage
Kanji: のりかげ or ノリカゲ
Meaning: Auspicious and shadow.
Pronunciation: No-ree-kah-gay
Norikage has another meaning, which is law or norms.
- Kagemune
Kanji: かげむね or カゲムネ
Meaning: Shadow, auspicious, and ancestor.
Pronunciation: Kah-gay-moo-ney
Kagemune indicates a connection to the night sky and its mysteries.
- Tatsukage
Kanji: たつかげ or タツカゲ
Meaning: Shadow, dragon, auspicious.
Pronunciation: Sa-soo-kah-gay
Tatsukage is a powerful and commanding name that evokes the strength and beauty of a rising sun.
- Kagezumi
Kanji: 影住
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Kah-gay-joo-mee
Living, serene, pure, auspicious, ink, and corner are other meanings based on varying kanji.
- Eisuke
Kanji: 栄介, 英助 or エイスケ
Meaning: Meditate, shadow, crystal, shellfish, and more.
Pronunciation: Ay-soo-kay
I adore another meaning of Eisuke – sparkle.
- Kagemitsu
Kanji: かげみつ or カゲミツ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Kah-gay-meet-soo
Other meanings include three, light, dense and contribution.
Gender-Neutral Japanese Names that Mean Shadow
Are you not interested in gender-specific monikers? Then go through the next section showing neutral names that are as exciting as feminine or masculine names.
- Kagero
Kanji: かげろう or カゲロウ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Ka-gay-ro
This gender-neutral name is quite rare. It also means wolf.
- Kage
Kanji: かげ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Kah-gay
This unisex name is globally used. In Japan, it is a common last name.
- Yukikage
Kanji: ゆきかげ or ユキカゲ
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Yoo-kee-kah-gay
Snow is another meaning of Yukikage.
- Kuragari
Kanji: 暗がり
Meaning: Shadow and darkness.
Pronunciation: Koo-ra-gaa-ree
It is an international name that sounds so powerful.
- Kurai
Kanji: 暗い
Meaning: Shadow or dark.
Pronunciation: Koo-raa-yi
It also means gloomy.
- Kuraim
Kanji: 闇くらい
Meaning: Darkness and shadow.
Pronunciation: Koo-ra-eem
Kuraim also means gloomy.
- Kurashi
Kanji: 暮らし
Meaning: Shadow.
Pronunciation: Koo-ra-chee
Kurashi also means darkness.
- Kurayami
Kanji: 暗闇
Meaning: Darkness and shadow.
Pronunciation: Koo-ra-yaa-mee
Kurayami evokes a mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere.
- Yami
Kanji: 闇 or やみ
Meaning: Light in the darkness, shadow.
Pronunciation: Yaa-mee
This name is found in other cultures too.
- Kureru
Kanji: 暮れる
Meaning: To get dark and shadow.
Pronunciation: Koo-ray-roo
Kureru is an intriguing name with a sense of adventure and discovery.
Also Read:
30 Japanese Names That Mean Dragon
50 Strangest And Unique Japanese Names
50 Japanese Names That Mean Death
FAQs：
5 Ideas to Craft a Perfect Japanese Name That Means Shadow?
- Restrict the kanji to two.
- Continue the tradition of famous personalities or your family members with a name meaning shadow.
- Only choose meaningful kanji.
- Pick the surname first and the name later.
- Keep it traditional or spiritual.
These rules will assist you in crafting an ideal Japanese name meaning shadow.
5 Reasons to Have a Japanese Name That Means Shadow?
- If you want to give a cool name to your video game characters.
- If you want to add an additional Japanese name next to yours.
- If you want to name some event or your brand.
- If you need a name for a character in your fiction story.
- If you want to give a special name to your pet.
Last Words
Where light exists, so does the shadow. But where the whole world only focuses on light, you can be unique by considering shadow. If your mindset reflects this sentiment, my list of 40 Japanese Names That Mean Shadow is all you need.
With bold meanings and intricate Kanji characters, there’s no reason why you can’t adopt these names in English countries as well. Which ones were your favorite from my list? Would you add any more names? Tell me everything in the comments below!
