50 Japanese Baby Names That Mean “Light” (2025 Update)

Updated September 28, 2025 🌟

Are you searching for Japanese names that mean light—names that capture brightness, hope, and positivity? In Japanese culture, light is a powerful symbol of renewal, clarity, and even spiritual enlightenment.

In this guide, we’ve gathered 50+ Japanese baby names that mean light, complete with Japanese characters, pronunciations, and cultural significance. You’ll find beautiful, bright options for baby girls, boys, and even gender-neutral names if you’re looking for something unisex.

👉 For even more inspiration, check out our full Baby Name Directory, filled with names organized by style, theme, and meaning

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Beautiful Japanese Girl Names That Mean Light

Akari (あかり)

Pronunciation: Ah-kah-ree
Significance: Means “light” or “brightness.” A warm, comforting name often linked to lanterns and hope.

Hikari (光)

Pronunciation: Hee-kah-ree
Significance: Means “light” or “radiance.” A simple, elegant choice symbolizing purity, inspiration, and brightness.

Hotaru (蛍)

Pronunciation: Ho-tah-roo
Significance: Means “firefly.” Associated with summer evenings and the magical glow of fireflies.

Kirara (きらら)

Pronunciation: Kee-rah-rah
Significance: Means “sparkling” or “twinkling.” A delicate name suggesting brightness and elegance.

Chiaki (千灯)

Pronunciation: Chee-ah-kee
Significance: Means “a thousand lights.” Represents guidance, hope, and bringing light to others.

Hina (陽菜)

Pronunciation: Hee-nah
Significance: Means “sunlight” or “sunshine greens.” A cheerful name tied to warmth and positivity.

Kira (キラ)

Pronunciation: Kee-rah
Significance: Means “shining” or “glittering.” Popular for girls born in spring or summer.

Kaguya (かぐや)

Pronunciation: Kah-goo-yah
Significance: Means “radiant night.” Rooted in folklore (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), tied to the moon and light.

Okimi (沖美)

Pronunciation: Oh-kee-mee
Significance: Often written as “beautiful open sea.” While less common, it carries brightness and elegance.

Hisayo (久代)

Pronunciation: Hee-sah-yo
Significance: Means “long life generation.” Though rare, its kanji can also be tied to light and brightness.

Asuka (明日香)

Pronunciation: Ah-soo-kah
Significance: Means “tomorrow’s fragrance.” Suggests the light of a new day, optimism, and fresh beginnings.

Saki (咲)

Pronunciation: Sah-kee
Significance: Means “bloom” or “flowering.” Flowers are often tied to growth, light, and beauty.

Ayaka (彩花)

Pronunciation: Ah-yah-kah
Significance: Means “colorful flower.” Represents radiance and the brightness of nature.

Chihiro (千尋)

Pronunciation: Chee-hee-roh
Significance: Means “a thousand searches.” Symbolizes seeking light through knowledge and understanding.

Hitomi (瞳)

Pronunciation: Hee-toh-mee
Significance: Means “pupil of the eye” or “pupil of light.” Tied to clarity and beauty.

Kagome (籠目)

Pronunciation: Kah-go-meh
Significance: Means “basket pattern.” Represents balance of light and shadow.

Kurumi (胡桃)

Pronunciation: Koo-roo-mee
Significance: Means “walnut.” Symbolizes natural radiance and brightness.

Akemi (明美)

Pronunciation: Ah-keh-mee
Significance: Means “bright beauty.” A classic, elegant name directly tied to light.

Amaterasu (天照)

Pronunciation: Ah-mah-teh-rah-soo
Significance: The Shinto sun goddess, meaning “shining in heaven.” A powerful mythological choice.

Akane (茜)

Pronunciation: Ah-kah-neh
Significance: Means “deep red” or “madder red.” Associated with the glow of sunset in Japanese poetry.

Nozomi (望)

Pronunciation: No-zo-mee
Significance: Means “hope” or “wish.” Symbolizes a shining future filled with light.

Airi (愛莉)

Pronunciation: Eye-ree
Significance: Means “love” + “jasmine.” Jasmine flowers are tied to brightness, purity, and light.

Megumi (恵)

Pronunciation: Meh-goo-mee
Significance: Means “blessing” or “grace.” Represents the gentle, nurturing quality of light.

Mei (芽依)

Pronunciation: Meh-ee
Significance: Means “sprout” or “bud.” Symbolizes growth, vitality, and new beginnings under the light.

Mika (美香)

Pronunciation: Mee-kah
Significance: Means “beautiful fragrance.” Suggests the sweet and radiant quality of light.

Misaki (美咲)

Pronunciation: Mee-sah-kee
Significance: Means “beautiful bloom.” Evokes the beauty and brightness of blossoming flowers.

Rina (莉奈)

Pronunciation: Ree-nah
Significance: Refers to “jasmine” or “white jasmine.” Jasmine flowers radiate purity and delicate light.

Sakura (さくら / 桜)

Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah
Significance: Means “cherry blossom.” A beloved symbol of renewal, beauty, and fleeting light.

Miyako (美耶子)

Pronunciation: Mee-yah-koh
Significance: Means “beautiful night child.” Combines elegance with a subtle reference to light and beauty in darkness.

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Megumi (恵)

Pronunciation: Meh-goo-mee
Significance: Means “blessing” or “grace.” Represents the gentle, nurturing quality of light.

Mei (芽依)

Pronunciation: Meh-ee
Significance: Means “sprout” or “bud.” Symbolizes growth, vitality, and new beginnings under the light.

Mika (美香)

Pronunciation: Mee-kah
Significance: Means “beautiful fragrance.” Suggests the sweet and radiant quality of light.

Misaki (美咲)

Pronunciation: Mee-sah-kee
Significance: Means “beautiful bloom.” Evokes the beauty and brightness of blossoming flowers.

Rina (莉奈)

Pronunciation: Ree-nah
Significance: Refers to “jasmine” or “white jasmine.” Jasmine flowers radiate purity and delicate light.

Sakura (さくら / 桜)

Pronunciation: Sah-koo-rah
Significance: Means “cherry blossom.” A beloved symbol of renewal, beauty, and fleeting light.

Miyako (美耶子)

Pronunciation: Mee-yah-koh
Significance: Means “beautiful night child.” Combines elegance with a subtle reference to light and beauty in darkness.

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Japanese Boy Names That Mean Light

In Japanese culture, light is often associated with hope, clarity, and wisdom. If you’re looking for a meaningful name for your baby boy, a name that incorporates the concept of light could be a great choice. Here is a list of popular Japanese names for boys that have light in their meaning:

Akimitsu (秋光)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-mee-tsoo
Significance: Means “autumn light.” Combines aki (autumn) and mitsu (light).

Akio (昭夫)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-oh
Significance: Means “bright man” or “man of brightness.” Aki = bright/light, o = man.

Akira (明)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-rah
Significance: Means “bright,” “clear,” or “intelligent.” A classic unisex name, common for boys.

Akito (暁人)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-toh
Significance: Means “person of the dawn.” Aki = dawn, to = person.

Dai (大)

Pronunciation: Dye
Significance: Means “big” or “great.” A short, powerful name often linked with strength and brightness.

Daiki (大輝)

Pronunciation: Dye-kee
Significance: Means “great radiance.” Dai = great, ki = radiance.

Haruto (陽翔)

Pronunciation: Hah-roo-toh
Significance: Means “soaring in the sun.” Haru = sun, to = soar/fly.

Hideaki (英明)

Pronunciation: Hee-deh-ah-kee
Significance: Means “excellent brightness.” Hide = excellent, aki = brightness.

Hiromitsu (広光)

Pronunciation: Hee-roh-mee-tsoo
Significance: Means “broad light.” Hiro = broad, mitsu = light.

Kiyoshi (清)

Pronunciation: Kee-yoh-shee
Significance: Means “pure” or “clean.” A well-loved unisex name.

Masaki (正樹)

Pronunciation: Mah-sah-kee
Significance: Means “righteous tree.” Masa = righteous, ki = tree.

Mitsu (光)

Pronunciation: Mee-tsoo
Significance: Means “light.” A simple, timeless choice.

Mitsunobu (光信)

Pronunciation: Mee-tsoo-no-boo
Significance: Means “faith in light.” Mitsu = light, nobu = faith.

Rai (雷)

Pronunciation: Rye
Significance: Means “thunder” or “thunder god.” Unisex, but more common for boys; tied to the god of thunder and lightning.

Yoshiaki (芳明)

Pronunciation: Yoh-shee-ah-kee
Significance: Means “fragrant brightness.” Yoshi = fragrant/pleasant, aki = brightness.

Haruki (陽輝)

Pronunciation: Hah-roo-kee
Significance: Means “shining sun” or “radiance of the sun.” Haru = sun, ki = shine/radiance.

Teruo (輝夫)

Pronunciation: Teh-roo-oh
Significance: Means “man of radiance.” Teru = shine/illuminate, o = man.

Nobuaki (信明)

Pronunciation: No-boo-ah-kee
Significance: Means “faithful brightness.” Nobu = faith, aki = bright.

Tomohiko (智彦)

Pronunciation: To-mo-hee-koh
Significance: Means “wise boy of light.” Tomo = wisdom, hiko = boy/child.

Akihiko (明彦)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-hee-koh
Significance: Means “bright prince” or “boy of light.” Aki = bright, hiko = boy.

Teruhiko (輝彦)

Pronunciation: Teh-roo-hee-koh
Significance: Means “shining boy.” Teru = shine, hiko = boy.

Mitsuo (光雄)

Pronunciation: Mee-tsoo-oh
Significance: Means “hero of light.” Mitsu = light, o = male/hero.

Akifumi (明文)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-foo-mee
Significance: Means “bright writing” or “light of literature.” Aki = bright, fumi = writing/scholarship.

Teruyuki (輝幸)

Pronunciation: Teh-roo-yoo-kee
Significance: Means “shining happiness.” Teru = shine, yuki = happiness.

Koharu (小陽)

Pronunciation: Koh-hah-roo
Significance: Traditionally feminine, but sometimes used for boys. Means “little sun” or “late spring sunlight.”

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Gender-Neutral Japanese Names That Mean Light

As society evolves, many people are embracing gender-neutral options for their child’s name. In Japan, unisex names have been a part of the culture for centuries, and there are many beautiful and meaningful options to choose from. Here is a list of unisex Japanese names that mean light, along with their Kanjim pronunciation, and meaning.

Niko (ニコ)

Pronunciation: Nee-koh
Significance: Means “daylight” or “sunlight.” Simple and cheerful, often linked with warmth and optimism.

Kiran (キラン)

Pronunciation: Kee-rahn
Significance: Means “beam of light” or “sunbeam.” Associated with brightness, radiance, and hope.

Teru (照 / 輝 / テル)

Pronunciation: Teh-roo
Significance: Means “shining” or “bright.” Depending on kanji, it can also mean “to illuminate” or “to know.”

Hinata (ひなた / ヒナタ)

Pronunciation: Hee-nah-tah
Significance: Means “sunny place” or “facing the sun.” A warm, positive name for boys or girls.

Haru (はる / ハル)

Pronunciation: Hah-roo
Significance: Can mean “spring” or “clear weather.” A fresh, nature-inspired choice that works for any gender.

Akiara (アキアラ)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-ah-rah
Significance: Means “bright autumn.” Evokes seasonal beauty and radiance.

Akina (明奈 / アキナ)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-nah
Significance: Means “bright flower.” Gentle yet vivid, blending nature and light.

Akio (昭夫 / アキオ)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee-oh
Significance: Means “bright person” or “man of light.” Traditionally masculine, but also used as unisex.

Haruki (陽輝 / ハルキ)

Pronunciation: Hah-roo-kee
Significance: Means “shining brightly” or “springtime radiance.” A modern favorite for both boys and girls.

Hikari (光 / ヒカリ)

Pronunciation: Hee-kah-ree
Significance: Means “light” or “radiance.” One of the most popular unisex names tied to brightness.

Hikaru (光 / ヒカル)

Pronunciation: Hee-kah-roo
Significance: Means “shining” or “radiant.” Widely used for both genders in Japan.

Kiri (霧 / キリ)

Pronunciation: Kee-ree
Significance: Means “mist” or “fog,” often linked with the poetic idea of a “light veil.”

Kosuke (光祐 / コスケ)

Pronunciation: Koh-soo-keh
Significance: Means “rising sun” or “help of light.” A strong, uplifting unisex option.

Maki (真輝 / マキ)

Pronunciation: Mah-kee
Significance: Means “true light.” A straightforward but radiant choice.

Misaki (美咲 / ミサキ)

Pronunciation: Mee-sah-kee
Significance: Means “blossom by the light of the beautiful moon.” Gentle, poetic, and romantic.

Aki (秋 / 明 / 彬 / 昭)

Pronunciation: Ah-kee
Significance: A versatile unisex name with many meanings depending on kanji: “autumn,” “bright,” “refined,” or “shining.”

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Japanese names that mean “light” are a beautiful way to capture hope, clarity, and renewal in your child’s name. With over 50 options to explore – spanning girl, boy, and unisex choices – you’ll find names rooted in nature (Akira, Hikari), mythology (Kaguya, Amaterasu), and timeless tradition.

Whether you’re drawn to a popular choice like Akari or a rarer gem like Chiaki, each name carries its own story and symbolism, offering a meaningful connection to Japanese culture.

I hope this guide helps you on your journey to finding the perfect name!

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Related Posts:

• Japanese Baby Names That Mean “Star”
• Japanese Baby Names That Mean “Shadow”
• Japanese Names That Mean “Flower”
• More Baby Names That Mean “Light”