Top 10 Boys and Girls Names in 2005

[Jonosuke 28]

Here are the top 10 popular names given to the newborns in 2005 compiled by Meiji Yasuda Seimei Insurance Company.

So in about 15 years from now, we should expect a lot of new entries with their names as Sho,Shota and Tsubasa.

Boy's Name

1. 翔 (reading: Sho, Kakeru)

2. 大翔 (reading: Hiroto, Taito, Tsubasa, Haruto, Yamato, Taiga, Taisei, Masato)

3. 拓海 (reading: Takumi)

4. 翔太 (reading: Shota)

5. 颯太 (reading: Sota)

6. 翼 (reading: Tsubasa)

7. 海斗 (reading: Kaito)

8. 輝 (reading: Hikaru, Kira, Hikari)

9. 太陽 (reading: Taiyo, Taiga, Asato, Asahi)

10. 大和 (reading: Yamato)

Girl's Name

1. 陽菜 (reading: Hina, Haruna, Hinata)

2. さくら (reading: Sakura)

3. 美咲 (reading: Misaki, Miku)

4. 葵 (readin: Aoi)

5. 美羽 (reading: Miu, Mihane, Miyu)

6. 美優 (reading: Miyu, Miyuu)

7. 凜 (reading: Rin)

8. 七海 (reading: Nanami)

9. 美月 (reading: Mitsuki, Haruru, Mizuki)

10. 結衣 (reading: Yui)

So you can tell from this list for names, you can pretty much make people read whatever way you want with kanji you selected.

Edited December 22, 2005 by Jonosuke

[Mattjila 0]

Is there a reason that Sakura is in hiragana? Some cultural choice...or a character on TV did it that way?

[Kashunowaka 300]

Is there a reason that Sakura is in hiragana? Some cultural choice...or a character on TV did it that way?

Hmmm... カードキャプターさくら perhaps? (Welcome...)

http://www.tcp.com/~doi/sakura/

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/sakura/

Edited December 22, 2005 by Kashunowaka

[Jonosuke 28]

Is there a reason that Sakura is in hiragana? Some cultural choice...or a character on TV did it that way?

Hmmm... カードキャプターさくら perhaps? (Welcome...)

I believe it has very little to do with Cardcaptor Sakura anime series on NHK. If it is to be traced to NHK, it's likely to have been NHK's morning drama aired in 2004 in which the main character's name was Sakura.

However the name jumped on the top place in 2000 and 2001. Then it disppepared from the top 10 in 2002 and came back again in 2003 (3rd place) and again capturing the top spot in 2004.

More girls born between February to May have "Sakura", the cherry blossom season in Japan.

There is a popular group called "Sacra" and a popular golfer named Sakura Yokomine.

For those who may be into Japanese movies remember "Tora-san" series of movies called "Otoko Wa Tsuraiyo" (It's tough to be a man) in which Kiyoshi Atsugi played the main character and his sister played by Chieko Baisho was "Sakura".

Currently two very popular songs are named "Sakura" - one is sung by Naotaro Moriyama and the other by Kyogo Kawaguchi. Both are rather difficult to sing but tradigically many attempt at a Karaoke joint.

Edited December 23, 2005 by Jonosuke

[Zeokage 0]

I'd be inclined to suggest anime (and popular celebs) might have had a little influence...

Isn't there a band called ????? and Tsubasa? Takumi is the name of the main character in Initial D. Hinata, Sakura and Mitsuki are all names in Naruto, although Mitsuki is a man in that.

What's the average age of the parents?

[Zuikakuyama 1]

Geez, not a single name ending with a "子" "ko" among the girls' names. This is indeed a big change.

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

That is indeed strange. The majority of older Japanese women's names end with 子. Such as my wife, 文子. That is probably exactly why no-one wants to use it anymore. One day, if not already, it will probably be seen as an "obaasan's" name. Maybe in the future it will make a comeback as "retro" or "classic."

[Mark Buckton 1]

considered 30 odd female children and teens I know - up to age 18 - one has a 子

Almost all over 35/40 do.

The world turns.

[Jakusotsu 5,815]

How about princess Aiko? Is she spelled with 子?

[sekihiryu 51]

and Tsubasa? Takumi

Tsubasa was the name of the dumbest kid I have taught so far in Japan, a boy named Takumi is the naughtiest boy I teach.

Tomoya - bad name for me, I teach 4 Tomoyas all of them are terribly naughty or bad boys.

Those 3 names are forever tarnished for me.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 203]

Amanogawa's nieces (2*niece, plural grammar was attacked by a ham consumption congestion thingie) have the classical 子 at the end. Kawasugiru hitobito who are very young and like skiing.

Hey! My name has 子 too!

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Since curiosity is about to kill the cat here (poor cat!), I'd like to bump up Mattjila's question...

Is there a reason that Sakura is in hiragana?

[Mark Buckton 1]

How about princess Aiko? Is she spelled with 子?

yes but I'd say that is more of an imperial family thing. All members I know of have a 'fo'/ All male members have 'hito' at the end of thier names - current Emperor is Akihito, father was Hirohito and son is Naruhito. (triv but Meiji was Mutsuhito and Taisho was Yoshihito)

[Exil 301]

Since curiosity is about to kill the cat here (poor cat!), I'd like to bump up Mattjila's question...

Is there a reason that Sakura is in hiragana?

Seen here:

Most names are written in kanji. However, some names don't have kanji characters, and are simply written in hiragana or katakana. Katakana names are rare for the Japanese. Hiragana is mainly used for female names because of its soft impression. A hiragana name is one of the recent trends. Sakura, Honoka, Hikaru, Minami, Ayumi are popular girl's names written in hiragana.

[Mattjila 0]

Since curiosity is about to kill the cat here (poor cat!), I'd like to bump up Mattjila's question...

Is there a reason that Sakura is in hiragana?

Seen here:

Most names are written in kanji. However, some names don't have kanji characters, and are simply written in hiragana or katakana. Katakana names are rare for the Japanese. Hiragana is mainly used for female names because of its soft impression. A hiragana name is one of the recent trends. Sakura, Honoka, Hikaru, Minami, Ayumi are popular girl's names written in hiragana.

Huh, interesting. And interesting that the 13th Duke of Wybourne, with his reputation, would know such a thing.

Edited December 27, 2005 by Mattjila

[Zeokage 0]

and Tsubasa? Takumi

Tsubasa was the name of the dumbest kid I have taught so far in Japan, a boy named Takumi is the naughtiest boy I teach.

Tomoya - bad name for me, I teach 4 Tomoyas all of them are terribly naughty or bad boys.

Those 3 names are forever tarnished for me.

I feel your pain with Takumi... I taught in Japan as well and he was definately the worst behaved out of them all.

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

How about princess Aiko? Is she spelled with 子?

yes but I'd say that is more of an imperial family thing. All members I know of have a 'fo'/ All male members have 'hito' at the end of thier names - current Emperor is Akihito, father was Hirohito and son is Naruhito. (triv but Meiji was Mutsuhito and Taisho was Yoshihito)

I thought that "Princess Nori" ("Norinomiya-sama") who recently married Mr. Kuroda is now now simply Mrs. Kuroda was an exception, but my wife says her real name is "Sayako."

[Jonosuke 28]

I thought that "Princess Nori" ("Norinomiya-sama") who recently married Mr. Kuroda is now now simply Mrs. Kuroda was an exception, but my wife says her real name is "Sayako."

Actually the royal name of Aiko-sama, daughter of the Crown Prince, is Toshinomiya.

There are some discussions going on right now about whether a female child can inherit the imperial house, should she take the same route as Norionomiya, her name will be Aiko but until such time, her proper name is Toshinomiya, though most media refer her using more common name of "Aiko".