50+ Japanese Name That Means Death for Boys and Girls

Japanese culture is known for its rich history and unique traditions, including the art of naming. Japanese names often hold profound meanings, reflecting the individual’s personality, aspirations, or the circumstances surrounding their birth. While many names are associated with positive qualities and symbols, there is also a subset of names that carry more somber connotations. In this article, we will explore Japanese names that mean “death,” shedding light on the cultural significance and history behind them.

Japanese Names That Mean Death for Girls

Akeldama

Kanji: アケルダマ
Meaning: Place of bloodshed.
Pronunciation: uh-kel-duh-muh
Akeldama signifies a dark field of blood (cemetery).

Hisa

Kanji: ひさ
Meaning: Long-lasting/beating death.
Pronunciation: HEE-SA
Hisa symbolizes that you have conquered death.

Kaida

Kanji: 海田 or 甲斐田
Meaning: Little dragon.
Pronunciation: KAA-EE-DA
This is a symbol of darkness and dead characters.

Mana

Kanji: 愛
Meaning: Death as the symbol of everlasting.
Pronunciation: MAA-NA
In my opinion, Mana depicts light amidst darkness by symbolizing that you can overrule death.

Oiwa

Kanji: 大岩
Meaning: Angel of death.
Pronunciation: OH-EE-WA
Oiwa also means a vengeful female ghost. This is actually a Japanese mythology reference.

Sakamoto

Kanji: 坂本
Meaning: Cause of death/ the one who lives.
Pronunciation: SAA-KAH-MO-TO
It shows someone who was saved from a near-to-death experience.

Hisa-Me

Kanji: 氷雨
Meaning: Female demon of death.
Pronunciation: HEESA-MEE
This name usually finds relevance in the Japanese wonderworld.

Keket

Kanji: けけっと
Meaning: Goddess of darkness.
Pronunciation: ke-ket
Keket represents the dark and fierce death experiences.

Shinigami

Kanji: 死神
Meaning: Death God.
Pronunciation: shi-nuh-gaa-mee
This name is derived from ancient Japanese beliefs.

Amida

Kanji: 南無
Meaning: Goddess of death.
Pronunciation: AA-MEE-DA
This is the death goddess that Japanese people truly appreciate.

Yami

Kanji: 闇 (やみ)
Meaning: Darkness/death.
Pronunciation: YAA-MEE
Yami also refers to sadness.

Hizumi

Kanji: ひずみ
Meaning: Twilight/immoral activities.
Pronunciation: HEE-ZOO-MEE
This is a common name for sunset babies. It means death as well.

Ame

Kanji: 雨
Meaning: Rain.
Pronunciation: AA-MEH
The Shinto deity of rain is also named Ame. In Japanese culture, rain is associated with funerals and it refers to death or mourning.

Hana

Kanji: 花
Meaning: Withered or fragile flower.
Pronunciation: HAA-NA
This delicate feminine Japanese name depicts fragile flowers, which are a symbol of temporary life and are linked to funerals.

Saya

Kanji: 沙弥
Meaning: Death shadow and sand.
Pronunciation: SAA-YA
Saya reflects the dark side of human nature and it is a symbol of the constant presence of death.

Also Read: 50+ Heartfelt One Month Baby Birthday Wishes for Baby Boys and Girls

Japanese Names That Mean Death for Boys

Did you know that Japanese names are heavily influenced by nature and life? That’s why names meaning death are so popular in this culture.

Here are stunning Japanese names meaning death, God of death, and similar things for boys:

Senshi

Kanji: 戦士
Meaning: To die in a battle.
Pronunciation: Sen-shi.
I view Senshi as a noble death.

Kage

Kanji: かげ
Meaning: Death shadow.
Pronunciation: kah-geh
Kage usually refers to secret identities or the dark side of the world.

Yomi

Kanji: 黄泉
Meaning: Underworld.
Pronunciation: YO-MEE
This is where the dead souls reside in sadness and darkness.

Jigoku

Kanji: 地獄
Meaning: Inferno or hell.
Pronunciation: JEE-GO-KU
Jigoku refers to the most terrifying and lowest part of the underworld. This is where the damned souls suffer forever.

Kanji: 無
Meaning: Emptiness or nothingness.
Pronunciation: MOO
Mu is actually the ultimate destination for all souls after death.

Goke

Kanji: 郷家(ごうけ)
Meaning: Jade or black.
Pronunciation: Go-kae
This Japanese name is derived from Chinese and it’s connected to the darkness and sadness of losing a loved person.

Yaoi

Kanji: やおい
Meaning: Howling demon.
Pronunciation: yah-oh-ee
Yaoi is often seen in Japanese manga.

Jikininki

Kanji: 食人鬼
Meaning: Eating human flesh.
Pronunciation: JEE-KEEN-EEN-KI
Jikininki is a Japanese male demon that eats human flesh after they die.

Kano

Kanji: 狩野
Meaning: Capability and masculine power to conquer death. It also means deer.
Pronunciation: KAA-NO
It is common sense that animals prey on deer, which is why the Japanese people connect it to death.

Retsu

Kanji: 烈
Meaning: Cremation.
Pronunciation: Ray-tsu
This is a perfect name for grieving people.

Kanji: ハ
Meaning: Ashes.
Pronunciation: HAA
To me, Ha serves as a reminder that we will all transform into ash after death.

Jiki

Kanji: じき
Meaning: Death.
Pronunciation: JEE-KEE
Jiki gives eerie vibes.

Shin

Kanji: 真
Meaning: Death.
Pronunciation: SHEEN
If you want to offer a stylish and bold name to your son, go with this choice.

Hei

Kanji: 平
Meaning: Black.
Pronunciation: HAY-I
In Japanese, but also in many other cultures, the black color is associated with death.

Kyuuketsuki

Kanji: 吸血鬼
Meaning: Vampire.
Pronunciation: Kyoo-kets-kee
This bloodsucking character is associated with death.

Gender-Neutral Japanese Names That Mean Death

Let’s admit it – many people often ignore or reject names that mean negative things, such as death.

Well, that means there’s more for you! All these names meaning death are chosen by rare people.

Ahead, you will find unisex Japanese names meaning death. Help yourself out!

Daikokuten

Kanji: 大黒天
Meaning: God of darkness.
Pronunciation: Daa-ee-kok-ten
This unisex name signifies darkness and death.

Shi

Kanji: シ
Meaning: Death.
Pronunciation: SHEE
This is a simple yet profound name. Shi represents both life and death.

Hakai

Kanji: はかい
Meaning: Annihilation or destruction.
Pronunciation: hàkáí
Hakai commonly refers to a lethal force or the end of the world.

Hakumei

Kanji: 薄命
Meaning: White death.
Pronunciation: Haa-koo-mae
This gender-neutral name refers to the angel of death.

Haruka

Kanji: 遥香
Meaning: Remote or far/in heaven.
Pronunciation: HA-ROO-KA
Haruka refers to something unattainable or the hereafter.

Inari

Kanji: いなり
Meaning: Loaded with rice/coming to pass.
Pronunciation: I‧na‧ri
Inari is the name of the Shinto androgynous deity of fertility and rice. In Japanese folklore, the deity refers to death and means we’re all here to pass one day.

Yuki

Kanji: 幸
Meaning: Snow or a female demon.
Pronunciation: YOO-KEE
This name is connected to Yuki-Onna (Lady of the snow) who’s a demon and symbol of death in Japanese mythology.

Kai

Kanji: 甲斐
Meaning: Sea or souls that finish in the sea.
Pronunciation: KAA-I
Kai is a symbol of life’s endlessness. Since all dead spirits go to the sea, it represents death in a more beautiful way.

Rei

Kanji: 令
Meaning: Temporary beauty.
Pronunciation: re-i
Rei is a symbol of how temporary beauty and life is.

Natsu

Kanji: なつ
Meaning: Summer or Shinigami Natsu (death demon).
Pronunciation: na-tsu
This name is mostly inspired by the Japanese character Shinigami Natsu who represents death and suicide.

Shimazu

Kanji: 島津
Meaning: Corpse.
Pronunciation: Shee-maa-ju
This is a deathly name with a nice sound.

Botsugo

Kanji: 歿後
Meaning: After death.
Pronunciation: Bot-soo-goh
After death is a symbol of the other world where souls lie.

Bushuugi

Kanji: 不祝儀
Meaning: Death, sorrow, or disaster.
Pronunciation: BOO-SHU-GEE
This name encompasses all the dark qualities.

Chuuyou

Kanji: 中葉
Meaning: Dying young.
Pronunciation: Choo-yoo
Chuuyou depicts people who die at an early age.

Ensei

Kanji: 縁
Meaning: Death.
Pronunciation: sen.sei
Ensei also means going far away.

Heishi

Kanji: 平氏
Meaning: Falling dead.
Pronunciation: H-ee-sh-ee
I find this to be the darkest name from the list with such a deep meaning.

Heifu

Kanji: 斃仆
Meaning: Dying.
Pronunciation: HAY-FOO
It is a common unisex name in Japan.

Hougyo

Kanji: 崩御
Meaning: Demise or death.
Pronunciation: Hou-gyo
Hougyo is a symbol of destruction.

Kyuushi

Kanji: キヨシ
Meaning: Unexpected death.
Pronunciation: KYO-SHEE
Kyuushi represents sudden death.

Senge

Kanji: せんげ
Meaning: Death of a priest.
Pronunciation: SEN-GE
Senge represents the death of a spiritual person.

Japanese names that mean “death” are a fascinating aspect of the country’s rich naming tradition. While these names are not commonly used for individuals in everyday life, they hold a place in literature, art, and pop culture, adding layers of depth and symbolism to storytelling. Understanding the cultural significance and historical context of such names helps us appreciate the nuanced nature of Japanese naming conventions and the intricate tapestry of their language and culture.