Are you searching for Japanese names that mean “sun” — bright, warm, and full of life? In Japanese naming tradition, sun-inspired names often symbolize hope, vitality, light, and new beginnings. Parents choose them for their positive energy; writers and creators pick them for characters who radiate courage or optimism. Some names directly reference the sun (like Taiyō or Asahi), while others evoke sunlight, dawn, or brightness (such as Hikari or Hinata).
This guide collects sun-related Japanese names—including boy, girl, unisex options, and surnames—each with meaning, pronunciation, and kanji where available. You’ll find traditional choices, modern favorites, and anime-friendly picks ideal for baby name ideas, character names, or gaming handles. Throughout the sections I’ve woven natural anchor words (sunrise, warmth, light, radiance, hope, tradition) so you can easily link related content and boost topical authority. Dive in to discover names that carry the warmth of the sun and the promise of a new day.
How History and Tradition Shape Japanese Names
Japanese names are shaped by centuries of cultural tradition and historical influence. In ancient times, names often reflected social class, clan identity, or regional heritage. The use of kanji characters gave each name layers of meaning, with choices influenced by values such as strength, beauty, or harmony with nature. Over time, historical periods introduced new naming trends—such as names inspired by samurai virtues, Buddhist teachings, or seasonal elements. Even today, parents draw from this long tradition, blending historical depth with modern preferences to give their children names that honor both the past and the future.
Japanese Boy Names Meaning Sun
When it comes to Japanese boy names, the sun often symbolizes strength, warmth, and guidance. In Japanese culture, parents choose sun-related names for boys to reflect qualities like leadership, vitality, and positivity. The rising sun (Asahi) itself is a strong national symbol of Japan, also known as the Land of the Rising Sun.
These names are not just beautiful in sound but also carry deep cultural and spiritual meanings through their kanji characters. Below, we have listed some of the most powerful and unique Japanese boy names that mean “sun.”
- Haruto
• Meaning: Sunlight, soaring sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-toh
• Kanji🙁 陽翔) - Hinata
• Meaning: Facing the sun, sunny place
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-tah
• Kanji🙁 日向) - Asahi
• Meaning: Morning sun, rising sun
• Pronunciation: ah-sah-hee
• Kanji: (旭) - Haruaki
• Meaning: Bright sun in spring
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-ah-kee
• Kanji🙁 陽明) - Taiyo
• Meaning: The sun
• Pronunciation: tah-ee-yoh
• Kanji:( 太陽) - Nichirou
• Meaning: Son of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-roh
• Kanji: (日郎) - Kosun
• Meaning: Small sun
• Pronunciation: koh-soon
• Kanji🙁 小陽) - Haruki
• Meaning: Shining sun, spring radiance
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kee
• Kanji:( 陽輝) - Nichio
• Meaning: Man of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-oh
• Kanji:( 日雄) - Hiromitsu
• Meaning: Vast light of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-roh-mee-tsoo
• Kanji🙁 広光) - Kosuke
• Meaning: Rising sun’s assistance
• Pronunciation: koh-soo-keh
• Kanji:( 晃介) - Nichiji
• Meaning: Sun’s path, sunlight’s course
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-jee
• Kanji: (日路) - Teruhiko
• Meaning: Radiant boy of the sun
• Pronunciation: teh-roo-hee-koh
• Kanji🙁 輝彦) - Harunobu
• Meaning: Faithful sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-noh-boo
• Kanji🙁 陽信) - Mitsuharu
• Meaning: Shining spring sun
• Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-hah-roo
• Kanji🙁 光陽) - Harutomo
• Meaning: Sunlight companion
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-toh-moh
• Kanji🙁 陽友) - Nichitaka
• Meaning: Elevated sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-tah-kah
• Kanji: (日高) - Teruyuki
• Meaning: Radiant snow under the sun
• Pronunciation: teh-roo-yoo-kee
• Kanji🙁 輝雪) - Haruyoshi
• Meaning: Virtuous sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-yoh-shee
• Kanji🙁 陽義) - Nichimasa
• Meaning: True sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-mah-sah
• Kanji: (日正) - Hinoru
• Meaning: Light of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-noh-roo
• Kanji🙁 日光) - Harufumi
• Meaning: Writings of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-foo-mee
• Kanji🙁 陽文) - Nichihiro
• Meaning: Broad sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-hee-roh
• Kanji🙁 日宏) - Koshiro
• Meaning: Son of the sun’s light
• Pronunciation: koh-shee-roh
• Kanji: (光志郎) - Harutaka
• Meaning: Noble sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-tah-kah
• Kanji🙁 陽貴) - Terumasa
• Meaning: True radiance of the sun
• Pronunciation: teh-roo-mah-sah
• Kanji🙁 輝正) - Nichijou
• Meaning: Eternal sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-joh
• Kanji🙁 日常) - Haruyuki
• Meaning: Gentle snow in sunlight
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-yoo-kee
• Kanji🙁 陽雪) - Hiyori
• Meaning: Sun weather, good day
• Pronunciation: hee-yoh-ree
• Kanji: (日和) - Nisshin
• Meaning: Rising sun, daily progress
• Pronunciation: nee-sheen
• Kanji: (日進) - Teruhisa
• Meaning: Everlasting radiance of the sun
• Pronunciation: teh-roo-hee-sah
• Kanji🙁 輝久) - Harumitsu
• Meaning: Radiance of the spring sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee-tsoo
• Kanji:( 陽光) - Nichinobu
• Meaning: Faithful sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-noh-boo
• Kanji🙁 日信) - Kosaburo
• Meaning: Third son of the sun
• Pronunciation: koh-sah-boo-roh
• Kanji: (光三郎) - Harutsugu
• Meaning: Sun’s blessing, continued light
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-tsoo-goo
• Kanji🙁 陽次)
See Also; 115+ Japanese Names That Mean “Fire” For Boys & Girls
Japanese Names That Mean Sun For Girls
For girls, Japanese names inspired by the sun often represent warmth, beauty, and grace. Many of these names also have links to nature, such as sunflowers (Himari) or the rising morning light. Parents choose sun-related names for daughters to reflect positivity, charm, and inner brightness, making them timeless and elegant.
- Himari
• Meaning: Sunflower, light of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-mah-ree
• Kanji🙁 陽葵) - Harumi
• Meaning: Beauty of the sun, spring beauty
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee
• Kanji🙁 陽美) - Asahi
• Meaning: Morning sun, rising light
• Pronunciation: ah-sah-hee
• Kanji🙁 旭) - Nichika
• Meaning: Flower of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-kah
• Kanji🙁 日花) - Hina
• Meaning: Sun, sunshine, greens
• Pronunciation: hee-nah
• Kanji🙁 陽菜) - Akiyo
• Meaning: Bright sun generation
• Pronunciation: ah-kee-yoh
• Kanji🙁 明陽) - Haruka
• Meaning: Distant sun, spring fragrance
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah
• Kanji🙁 陽香) - Nichiyo
• Meaning: Sun’s world
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-yoh
• Kanji🙁 日世) - Harue
• Meaning: Blessing of the sun, spring river
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-eh
• Kanji🙁 陽江) - Hiyori
• Meaning: Sun weather, good sunny day
• Pronunciation: hee-yoh-ree
• Kanji🙁 日和) - Nichiko
• Meaning: Child of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-koh
• Kanji🙁 日子) - Akino
• Meaning: Bright sun’s field
• Pronunciation: ah-kee-noh
• Kanji🙁 明陽野) - Harumiya
• Meaning: Sun palace, spring beauty
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee-yah
• Kanji🙁 陽宮) - Nichiru
• Meaning: Shining with the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-roo
• Kanji🙁 日輝) - Hikari
• Meaning: Light, radiance of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-kah-ree
• Kanji🙁 光) - Haruna
• Meaning: Gentle sun, spring greens
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-nah
• Kanji🙁 陽菜) - Nichikae
• Meaning: Sun’s blessing flower
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-kah-eh
• Kanji🙁 日恵) - Akira
• Meaning: Bright, shining like the sun
• Pronunciation: ah-kee-rah
• Kanji🙁 明) - Hinako
• Meaning: Child of the sun and greens
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-koh
• Kanji🙁 陽菜子) - Nichiyoha
• Meaning: Sun’s leaf, radiant world
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-yoh-hah
• Kanji: (日葉) - Harukae
• Meaning: Blessed with the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah-eh
• Kanji:( 陽恵) - Koyomi
• Meaning: Calendar, day of the sun
• Pronunciation: koh-yoh-mee
• Kanji🙁 暦陽) - Nichikaze
• Meaning: Wind of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-kah-zeh
• Kanji🙁 日風) - Amaterasu
• Meaning: Shining over heaven (Sun Goddess)
• Pronunciation: ah-mah-teh-rah-soo
• Kanji: (天照) - Hinami
• Meaning: Sun and beauty
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-mee
• Kanji🙁 陽美) - Nichisaki
• Meaning: Sun blossom
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-sah-kee
• Kanji🙁 日咲) - Haruyae
• Meaning: Sun-blessed valley
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-yah-eh
• Kanji: (陽谷) - Nichiruho
• Meaning: Sun’s brightness treasure
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-roo-hoh
• Kanji🙁 日宝) - Hinayo
• Meaning: Sun generation, sunlight world
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-yoh
• Kanji🙁 陽世) - Mitsuha
• Meaning: Radiance of the sun, three lights
• Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-hah
• Kanji🙁 光陽葉) - Nichino
• Meaning: Field of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-noh
• Kanji🙁 日野) - Harutsumi
• Meaning: Sun’s fruit, spring glow
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-tsoo-mee
• Kanji🙁 陽実) - Nichikoha
• Meaning: Sun’s child leaf
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-koh-hah
• Kanji🙁 日子葉) - Hoshiyo
• Meaning: Starry sun world
• Pronunciation: hoh-shee-yoh
• Kanji🙁 星陽) - Nichiasa
• Meaning: Morning of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-ah-sah
• Kanji🙁 日朝)
See Also; 110+ Cool Japanese Names With Meanings
Japanese Last Names That Mean Sun
Japanese surnames often have strong ties to nature and celestial elements. Last names related to the sun carry meanings of heritage, honor, and strength. These surnames connect families to the idea of the rising sun and the cycle of life, giving them cultural and historical depth.
- Taiyoda
• Meaning: Rice field of the sun
• Pronunciation: tah-ee-yoh-dah
• Kanji(: 太陽田) - Hinatazawa
• Meaning: Sunny marsh
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-tah-zah-wah
• Kanji: (日向沢) - Asahina
• Meaning: Sunrise greens
• Pronunciation: ah-sah-hee-nah
• Kanji🙁 朝日菜) - Nichikawa
• Meaning: River of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-kah-wah
• Kanji: (日川) - Harumoto
• Meaning: Origin of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-moh-toh
• Kanji🙁 陽本) - Mitsuhara
• Meaning: Field of shining sun
• Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-hah-rah
• Kanji: (光原) - Hiyoshida
• Meaning: Good sun rice field
• Pronunciation: hee-yoh-shee-dah
• Kanji:( 日吉田) - Amateragi
• Meaning: Descendant of the Sun Goddess
• Pronunciation: ah-mah-teh-rah-gee
• Kanji: (天照木) - Nichida
• Meaning: Sun’s rice field
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-dah
• Kanji: (日田) - Haruyama
• Meaning: Mountain of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-yah-mah
• Kanji🙁 陽山) - Hinamura
• Meaning: Village of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-moo-rah
• Kanji: (日名村) - Taiyogawa
• Meaning: Sun river
• Pronunciation: tah-ee-yoh-gah-wah
• Kanji🙁 太陽川) - Nichimoto
• Meaning: Root of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-moh-toh
• Kanji: (日元) - Harukawa
• Meaning: River of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah-wah
• Kanji🙁 陽川) - Asahibara
• Meaning: Sunlit plain
• Pronunciation: ah-sah-hee-bah-rah
• Kanji🙁 朝日原) - Hinazaki
• Meaning: Blooming sun
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-zah-kee
• Kanji🙁 日咲) - Nichitani
• Meaning: Valley of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-tah-nee
• Kanji: (日谷) - Haruda
• Meaning: Field of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-dah
• Kanji🙁 陽田) - Mitsuzawa
• Meaning: Sunlit swamp
• Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-zah-wah
• Kanji🙁 光沢) - Hinahara
• Meaning: Sunny field, plain of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-hah-rah
• Kanji🙁 日原) - Nichibe
• Meaning: Sun’s shore
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-beh
• Kanji🙁 日辺) - Taiyoshi
• Meaning: Good sun, auspicious sunlight
• Pronunciation: tah-ee-yoh-shee
• Kanji: (太陽吉) - Haruzaki
• Meaning: Bloom of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-zah-kee
• Kanji🙁 陽咲) - Asahigawa
• Meaning: River of the morning sun
• Pronunciation: ah-sah-hee-gah-wah
• Kanji🙁 朝日川) - Hinoshima
• Meaning: Island of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-noh-shee-mah
• Kanji🙁 日島) - Nichimura
• Meaning: Village of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-moo-rah
• Kanji🙁 日村) - Harunaga
• Meaning: Eternal sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-nah-gah
• Kanji🙁 陽永) - Hinayama
• Meaning: Sun mountain
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-yah-mah
• Kanji🙁 日山) - Mitsuhashi
• Meaning: Bridge of sunlight
• Pronunciation: mee-tsoo-hah-shee
• Kanji: (光橋) - Nichimotozawa
• Meaning: Sun’s origin swamp
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-moh-toh-zah-wah
• Kanji: (日本沢) - Haruzawa
• Meaning: Swamp of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-zah-wah
• Kanji🙁 陽沢) - Taiyomori
• Meaning: Guardian of the sun
• Pronunciation: tah-ee-yoh-moh-ree
• Kanji: (太陽守) - Hinaseki
• Meaning: Stone of the sun
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-seh-kee
• Kanji🙁 日石) - Nichihara
• Meaning: Field of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-hah-rah
• Kanji: (日原) - Harukami
• Meaning: God of the sun’s spring
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah-mee
• Kanji🙁 陽神)
See Also;105+ Japanese Names that Mean “Moon” For Boys & Girls
Unisex Japanese Names Meaning Sun
Unisex names are very popular in Japan, and those connected to the sun are especially meaningful. These names symbolize hope, clarity, and light, making them suitable for both boys and girls. Parents often prefer such names because they reflect balance, neutrality, and universal appeal while still carrying deep cultural significance.
- Akira
• Meaning: Bright, clear like the sun
• Pronunciation: ah-kee-rah
• Kanji🙁 明) - Haru
• Meaning: Sun, spring, sunlight
• Pronunciation: hah-roo
• Kanji🙁 陽) - Nichi
• Meaning: Sun, day
• Pronunciation: nee-chee
• Kanji: (日) - Hikaru
• Meaning: Radiance, shining sun
• Pronunciation: hee-kah-roo
• Kanji: (光) - Hina
• Meaning: Sun, greens, sunshine
• Pronunciation: hee-nah
• Kanji🙁 陽菜) - Mitsu
• Meaning: Light, sunlight, shine
• Pronunciation: mee-tsoo
• Kanji: (光) - Hinode
• Meaning: Sunrise
• Pronunciation: hee-noh-deh
• Kanji:( 日出) - Haruhi
• Meaning: Day of the sun, spring sunshine
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-hee
• Kanji🙁 陽日) - Asahi
• Meaning: Morning sun, rising sun
• Pronunciation: ah-sah-hee
• Kanji🙁 旭) - Nichio
• Meaning: Man of the sun (can be unisex)
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-oh
• Kanji: (日雄) - Hiyori
• Meaning: Good day, sun weather
• Pronunciation: hee-yoh-ree
• Kanji: (日和) - Koyo
• Meaning: Radiance of the sun, sunlight leaves
• Pronunciation: koh-yoh
• Kanji: (光陽) - Nichika
• Meaning: Sun’s flower
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-kah
• Kanji: (日花) - Amateru
• Meaning: To shine in heaven, linked to Sun Goddess
• Pronunciation: ah-mah-teh-roo
• Kanji: (天照) - Haruto
• Meaning: Sunlight, soaring sun (can also be unisex)
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-toh
• Kanji:( 陽翔) - Hikari
• Meaning: Light, shining sun
• Pronunciation: hee-kah-ree
• Kanji🙁 光) - Nichina
• Meaning: Sun’s child, sun’s fruit
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-nah
• Kanji: (日名) - Aki
• Meaning: Bright, autumn sun
• Pronunciation: ah-kee
• Kanji🙁 明 / 秋) - Haruka
• Meaning: Distant sun, spring fragrance
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah
• Kanji🙁 陽香) - Nichiyo
• Meaning: Sun’s world
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-yoh
• Kanji: (日世) - Kaoru
• Meaning: Fragrance of sunlight
• Pronunciation: kah-oh-roo
• Kanji:( 薫陽) - Hinami
• Meaning: Sun beauty, sunlight greens
• Pronunciation: hee-nah-mee
• Kanji🙁 陽美) - Teru
• Meaning: Shine, glow of the sun
• Pronunciation: teh-roo
• Kanji:( 輝) - Nichisato
• Meaning: Sun’s village, sunny home
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-sah-toh
• Kanji:( 日里) - Nozomi
• Meaning: Hope under the sun
• Pronunciation: noh-zoh-mee
• Kanji: (望陽) - Harue
• Meaning: Sun river, sunny blessing
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-eh
• Kanji🙁 陽江) - Nichimori
• Meaning: Guardian of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-moh-ree
• Kanji🙁 日守) - Natsu
• Meaning: Summer, season of the strong sun
• Pronunciation: nah-tsoo
• Kanji:( 夏陽) - Harukae
• Meaning: Blessed with the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-kah-eh
• Kanji:( 陽恵) - Nichiharu
• Meaning: Spring of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-hah-roo
• Kanji🙁 日春) - Akihiro
• Meaning: Great brightness, shining sun
• Pronunciation: ah-kee-hee-roh
• Kanji🙁 明宏) - Nichiyori
• Meaning: Dependence on the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-yoh-ree
• Kanji: (日頼) - Harumi
• Meaning: Beauty of the sun
• Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee
• Kanji:( 陽美) - Nichikae
• Meaning: Blessing flower of the sun
• Pronunciation: nee-chee-kah-eh
• Kanji: (日恵) - Tomoharu
• Meaning: Wisdom of the sun
• Pronunciation: toh-moh-hah-roo
• Kanji:( 智陽)
Things You Must Know About Japanese Names Meaning Sun
Japanese names are not just about sound—they carry layers of meaning through kanji characters. A single name can have different interpretations depending on the kanji used. Sun-inspired names symbolize life, energy, and new beginnings, reflecting Japan’s national identity as the Land of the Rising Sun.
Japanese names carry deep cultural, spiritual, and linguistic meaning. When a name is linked to the sun (太陽 / 日), it often symbolizes:
- Energy and vitality – The sun is life-giving, so names with “sun” elements reflect strength, warmth, and power.
- Positivity and hope – In Japanese tradition, the sun represents optimism, new beginnings, and joy.
- Cultural importance – Japan is called the “Land of the Rising Sun” (Nihon/日本), so names connected to the sun hold national pride.
- Gender flexibility – Many Japanese sun-related names are unisex, allowing both boys and girls to share similar meanings.
- Kanji variations – A single name can carry different meanings depending on the kanji characters chosen by parents. For example, Haru can mean spring (春) or sunshine (陽).
Our Suggestion: Before choosing any of these names for your baby, take a moment to explore their meanings and origins—it makes the choice even more special.”
Conclusion
Names that carry the meaning of the sun are full of hope, strength, and inspiration. Whether it’s a boy, girl, or unisex choice, these names hold timeless cultural value. Choosing such a name connects individuals to the brightness of the sun, making it a truly meaningful choice.Choosing a Japanese name that means sun connects the individual to light, warmth, and life itself. Whether it’s a boy’s name like Haruto, a girl’s name like Himari, or a unisex choice like Akira, each name carries layers of tradition, spirituality, and beauty.
This list of Japanese names meaning “sun” gives you more than just words—it offers a window into Japanese culture, where names are seen as blessings of light, guidance, and hope.
If you are naming your child, writing characters, or simply exploring Japanese heritage, these sun-inspired names provide timeless inspiration and meaning.
FAQS
1. What Japanese name means light or sun?
Names like Hikari (光) or Haruhi (陽日) are often used to mean light or sun in Japanese.
2. What is the nickname of Japan’s sun?
Japan is famously known as “The Land of the Rising Sun.”
3. What does “まま” mean in Japanese slang?
In slang, まま (mama) can mean as it is or still, and it’s also used to refer to a bar hostess.
4. What does Akito mean in Japanese?
The name Akito (明人 / 晶翔) usually means bright person or shining flight, depending on the kanji.
5. Does Haru mean sun?
No, Haru (春) means spring, not sun.
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