Japanese culture is rich with fascinating stories and traditions. Among these are names that carry unique meanings, including those that relate to ghosts. In Japan, ghosts often symbolize the spirit of the past and can represent both good and bad qualities. This list of names provides insight into the supernatural side of Japanese culture.
Today, we will look at several Japanese names that specifically mean “ghost” or are related to spirits. Each name has its own history and significance, making them intriguing choices for parents or anyone interested in Japanese language and lore. Let’s uncover these ghostly names together.
Japanese Names That Mean Ghost
1. Yurei
Yurei directly translates to “ghost” in Japanese. It refers to wandering spirits in folklore, often depicted in a traditional white burial kimono with long hair. The name carries cultural weight and a connection to the afterlife.
2. Obake
Obake means “ghost” or “monster” in Japanese. This playful yet eerie name suggests supernatural qualities, often connected with folklore tales of shape-shifting spirits.
3. Shōjō
Shōjō refers to a type of ghostly figure known for its beautiful singing voice. This name emphasizes the enchanting yet mysterious qualities of spirits in Japanese culture.
4. Rōnin
Rōnin traditionally means “wave man,” but in some contexts, it can refer to restless spirits or wandering ghosts. This name evokes a sense of freedom as well as tragedy.
5. Ikiryō
Ikiryō means “living spirit” that can leave a person’s body. It reflects the belief that emotional forces can take on a ghostly form, showcasing the connection between the living and the spectral.
6. Yureizaka
Meaning “ghost slope,” Yureizaka is often associated with haunted places. This name carries a sense of intrigue and connection to haunted locations in Japan.
7. Kage
Kage means “shadow” in Japanese, often linked with ghostly figures that are ethereal and elusive, presenting an enigmatic aspect of spirits.
8. Memento
Memento is derived from the Latin term but has entered Japanese language, often used in the context of memories retained from those who have passed. It carries a ghostly essence of remembrance.
9. Rika
Rika means “child of the ghost” in some interpretations, referring to descendants who are thought to carry the spirit of those who came before.
10. Haka
Haka translates to “grave” or “tomb,” symbolizing the resting place of spirits. It serves as a tether to the supernatural realm.
11. Tōfu-kozō
This name refers to a spirit often depicted as a small ghostly figure carrying tofu. It combines elements of haunt and nourishment, creating a unique ghostly imagery.
12. Yūrei no Miko
Meaning “priestess of ghosts,” this name evokes a sense of spiritual guidance and connection to the afterlife.
13. Goryō
Goryō refers to vengeful spirits of the dead. This name embodies the darker side of ghostly lore in Japan.
14. Gensō
Gensō translates to “fantasy” or “illusion,” representing the supernatural illusions that ghosts can invoke in tales.
15. Yuurei no Tamashii
This translates to “soul of a ghost,” highlighting the connection between personal history and spectral existence.
16. Shōki
This name ties into the concept of protective spirits that are driven away by the presence of ghosts, creating a balance between protection and the spiritual world.
17. Gaitō
Gaitō means “outside spirit,” suggesting the presence of ghosts that hover outside the realm of the living.
18. Shinjū
Shinjū translates to “double suicide” but also represents ghostly love in tragic stories, intertwining deep emotions with spectral qualities.
19. Kuroi
Kuroi means “black” and can symbolize a shadowy ghost or dark spirit, enhancing the spectral imagery.
20. Tamashii
Tamashii directly means “soul” or “spirit,” a fundamental concept connecting to the essence of ghostly presence.
21. Miko
Miko refers to a shrine maiden, often thought to have a connection with the spirit world, embodying the link to ghosts.
22. Shōten
This name translates to “ghost’s sensitivity,” emphasizing the connection of the ethereal world with emotions experienced by the living.
23. Inaka
Inaka means “countryside,” often representing the rural significance of ghost stories in traditional settings.
24. Anmitsu
Anmitsu refers to a traditional dessert but can also evoke the ghostly imagery of sweet yet eerie spirits interacting during festivals.
25. Yūrei no Senpai
This name means “ghost mentor,” suggesting the deep-rooted connection between guidance from those who have passed and the living.
26. Fūrin
Fūrin means “wind chimes” and represents the sound of spirits in the breeze, ethereal and haunting.
27. Nyoigatake
Meaning “bamboo spirit,” this name represents spirits that are believed to be found beside bamboo stalks.
28. Oborozukiyo
This name means “hazy moonlight,” linking supernatural beauty to the elusive nature of ghosts.
29. Aragawa
Aragawa means “edge of the river,” emphasizing the liminal spaces where ghosts are often said to reside.
30. Kito
Kito translates to “spirit sending,” representing the act of calling or inviting ghosts.
31. Kōrei
Kōrei means “respecting spirits,” a name that shows reverence toward the supernatural entities that inhabit the world.
32. Shōin
Shōin can be interpreted as “ghost house,” a name that highlights the connection between living spaces and spirits.
33. Manako
Manako means “spirit eyes,” suggesting a sight that perceives beyond the living into the ghostly realm.
34. Akuma
Akuma means “evil spirit” or “demon,” covering the darker aspects of ghostly lore in Japanese tradition.
35. Kimochi
Kimochi means “feeling” or “emotion,” correlating to the impactful presence that ghosts can have in psychological contexts.
36. Ōbake
Ōbake translates to “monster” and often signifies shape-shifting spirits that can be both eerie and mischievous.
37. Ningen no Yūrei
This name means “human ghost,” encapsulating spirits who have yet to depart from their earthly attachments.
38. Hōkai
Hōkai means “spirit destruction,” which can relate to the stories of spirits that haunt and disrupt the living.
39. Chikyūno Tamashii
This means “earthly spirit,” emphasizing the connection between the living world and ghostly energies.
40. Murasaki
Murasaki can mean “purple,” often associated with spiritual energy and the ghostly haze of twilight.
41. Sōma
Sōma translates to “spirit and body,” tying into the duality of existence that ghosts represent.
42. Kishin
Kishin means “spirit god,” denoting a higher-level ghostly presence in Japanese mythology.
43. Kuroyukihime
This translates to “black snow princess,” evoking the idea of a ghostly figure draped in mystery and beauty.
44. Kodama
Kodama means “tree spirit,” showcasing spirits believed to inhabit woodlands and nature’s edges.
45. Shinjitsu
Shinjitsu translates to “truth,” where spirits convey the truth of their experiences from beyond.
46. Kusakabe
Kusakabe means “grass curtain,” suggesting the veil between the living and spirits, often represented in ghost stories.
47. Genshin
Genshin means “original spirit,” reflecting the essence that resides behind ghostly appearances.
48. Shōkō
Shōkō means “light of the spirit,” highlighting how spirits can illuminate the dark aspects of existence.
49. Tsubasa
Tsubasa translates to “wings” and symbolizes the idea of spirits taking flight beyond physical boundaries.
50. Yume no Tamashii
This means “soul of dreams,” connecting the world of sleep and ghostly apparitions that appear through dreams.
51. Suehiro
Meaning “successful sail,” this name hints at the guidance spirits provide in navigating life’s challenges.
52. Waka
Waka means “young poem” and evokes praise for the beautiful yet ghostly qualities present in poetic tales.
53. Shōka
Shōka means “ghost flower,” representing the blooming beauty associated with memories of those passed.
54. Rōjin
Rōjin translates to “old person” and symbolizes the spirits of the aged who return to watch over their descendants.
55. Hikari
Hikari translates to “light,” often associated with guiding spirits that bring hope beyond loss.
56. Kōrei no Hikari
This means “the light of the spirit,” embodying the illumination spirits provide even after death.
57. Kawai
Kawai means “cute,” having ironic implications when tied to the appearance or portrayal of some ghostly figures.
58. Yuuna
Yuuna translates to “gentle spirit,” implying a benign presence that watches over the living.
59. Reijin
Reijin means “spirit lady,” which can refer to virtuous ghostly figures that serve as protectors.
60. Kouen
Kouen means “spiritual flame,” reflecting on the persistent energy ghosts are believed to exude.
61. Keveru
Keveru translates to “to ward off spirits,” often linked with ghost-repelling practices in folklore.
62. Izanami
Izanami refers to the goddess of creation and death in Japanese mythology, representing a deep connection between life and the afterlife.
63. Yukionna
Yukionna means “snow woman” and is a famous yōkai known for her beauty and ghostly features.
64. Haibara
Haibara translates to “ghost field,” echoing the landscapes where wandering spirits are said to roam.
65. Shinju no Yūrei
This translates to “ghost of pearls,” representing the delicate nature of love and loss in ghost tales.
66. Aonuma
Aonuma means “blue wave,” embodying the elusive qualities tied to ghostly presence in water.
67. Tamamo
Tamamo refers to a mythical nine-tailed fox that transforms into a beautiful woman, signifying the transformative abilities of spirits.
68. Haruka
Haruka means “distant,” often representing the long-lost spirits returning from beyond.
69. Sumire
Sumire means “violet,” which can symbolize the ghostly whisper of past memories lingering in the air.
70. Kisaragi
Kisaragi as a name can represent the month associated with ghosts in Japanese folklore, linking it to their presence in the seasonal cycle.
71. Heian
Heian means “peaceful,” often an irony associated with unrestful spirits who return for unresolved business.
72. Sukuna
Sukuna refers to a shaman or spirit caller, bridging the gap between living and spectral communication.
73. Hōkai no Yūrei
This translates to “destruction spirit,” resonating with tales of malevolent ghosts that disrupt the earthly realm.
74. Wakusei
Wakusei means “planet,” which can symbolize the cosmic aspect of ghosts and their origins from beyond.
75. Akushon
Akushon means “ghostly action,” indicating the activities and influences of spirits around the living.
76. Chizu
Chizu means “map,” indicating the way spirits navigate through the different realms of existence.
77. Yurei no Sora
This name translates to “sky of ghosts,” highlighting the ethereal nature of spectral beings spread across the heavens.
78. Meimeihon
Meimeihon means “famous voice,” often associated with the calls of spirits echoing through the night.
79. Aoiro
Aoiro means “blue color“ relates to the calm yet haunting aspect of ghostly figures in night scenes.
80. Shizuka
Shizuka means “quiet” and can relate to the silence that often envelopes ghostly encounters.
81. Ren no Tamashii
This translates to “soul of love,” representing the ghostly attachments bound by love even after death.
82. Kuon
Kuon means “eternity,” often linking to the timeless nature of spirits that transcend mortal boundaries.
83. Yūrei no Hōkō
This means “horn of the ghost,” symbolizing the unseen call of spirits reaching out to the living.
84. Hikari no Yūrei
This translates to “light spirit,” connecting ghostly energy with illumination and hope.
85. Mugetsu
Mugetsu means “no moon,” often correlating to the dark nights of ghostly activity.
86. Ayakashi
Ayakashi means “spirit,” often linked to the ghostly essence that watches over significant places.
87. Haruna
Haruna translates to “spring flower,” representing life blossoming even from ghostly origins.
88. Kagegawa
Kagegawa means “shadow river,” evoking the connection between flowing waters and the passage of spirits.
89. Hakanai
Hakanai means “ephemeral,” indicating the fleeting presence of spirits in life.
90. Murasakiyuki
Murasakiyuki means “purple snow,” symbolizing an ethereal ghostly beauty that captures attention.
91. Kubo
Kubo translates to “slope,” a name that embodies places where spirits are said to linger.
92. Yuki-onna
Yuki-onna translates to “snow woman,” depicting a beautiful ghost known for her icy touch.
93. Kuisa
Kuisa means “ghost fire,” referring to the luminescent spirit lights often seen during ghostly evocations.
94. Tōreiko
Tōreiko means “distant spirit,” referring to ghosts that appear to those far away in heart and mind.
95. Akira
Akira means “bright” and suggests the illuminating essence of a kind spirit.
96. Kumori
Kumori means “cloudy,” invoking the shrouded nature of spiritual threads connecting the living with ghosts.
97. Sayuri
Sayuri means “small lily,” often associated with delicate beauty, paralleling the visuals of many ghost figures.
98. Fuyumi
Fuyumi translates to “winter beauty,” a name that reflects the serenity and stillness often related to ghosts during cold seasons.
99. Toko
Toko means “eternal,” linking to the concept of spirits residing forever in memory.
100. Myōjin
Myōjin means “spiritual deity,” representing gods associated with ghostly presence and protection.
101. Kureha
Kureha means “dark leaf,” linking to the supernatural touch of foliage where spirits may dwell.
102. Mitsukuni
Mitsukuni translates to “haunted territory,” emphasizing areas recognized for ghost sightings.
103. Komorebi
Komorebi refers to sunlight filtering through leaves, evoking the somewhat mystical and ghost-filled atmosphere often described in tales.
104. Shizumi
Shizumi translates to “calm water,” linking reflective water surfaces with the presence of souls.
105. Chikage
Chikage means “earthly shadow,” reflecting spirits tied to specific locales.
106. Hanjaku
Hanjaku means “half-shadow,” hinting at spirits that exist at the threshold of visibility.
107. Suzume
Suzume means “sparrow,” often illustrating spirits that pass quickly like fleeting moments.
108. Akechi
Akechi references a famed ghost warrior, connecting lore with romanticized ghost stories.
109. Yūma
Yūma translates to “ghost horse,” suggesting the conveyance of spirits across realms.
110. Ko-Mikagura
This means “little divine dance,” symbolizing spiritual expressions often linked to ghostly revelry.
111. Kageyama
Kageyama means “shadow mountain,” representing spirits residing in nature’s untouched beauty.
112. Michiko
Michiko means “child of wisdom,” referring to the legacy spirits impart to their descendants.
113. Seimei
Seimei translates to “that which transcends,” connecting ethereal existence with the living world.
114. Keisuke
Keisuke means “spirit save,” illustrating protection roles that some ghost figures assume.
115. Haruto
Haruto means “sun flying,” a calm yet powerful depiction of ghostly energy catching sunlight.
116. Yōkai no Ko
This means “child of the yōkai,” reflecting ancestry and affiliation with supernatural spirits.
117. Chikane
Chikane means “anxiety of spirits,” suggesting an emotional connection with the spectral realm.
118. Saika
Saika means “blossoming spirit,” representing warmth and beauty along with ghostly tales.
119. Shinrikyō
Shinrikyō translates to “spiritual religion,” signifying practices dedicated to understanding and interacting with spirits.
120. Shōshō
Shōshō means “spiritual understanding,” a name reflecting the innate connection humans have with the spectral world.
121. Kamimatsu
Kamimatsu translates to “god pine,” a sacred tree often linked to ghostly appearances.
122. Akemi
Akemi means “bright beauty,” associating ghostly sparklings with grace and allure.
123. Soshun
Soshun means “ghost spring,” representing rebirth and renewal from the ethereal realm.
124. Motoko
Motoko means “root child,” connecting spirits to their origins, forging familial ties.
125. Akane
Akane translates to “deep red,” indicating passion and remnants tied to spectral memories.
126. Taira
Taira means “peaceful,” resonating with the quietude expected across ghostly encounters.
127. Misaki
Misaki translates to “cape,” symbolizing ghostly landscapes and their significance.
128. Yoko
Yoko means “child of the sunlight,” reflecting hope and spiritual flourish amidst darkness.
129. Asahi
Asahi translates to “morning sun,” connecting new beginnings with ghostly memories.
130. Senju
Senju refers to “thousand hands,” emphasizing the myriad ways spirits can affect the living.
131. Shishiko
Shishiko means “spiritual child,” portraying connection and reverence towards ghost connections.
132. Masaki
Masaki means “elegant tree,” connecting the gracefulness of spirits with nature.
133. Takara
Takara translates to “treasure,” relating to the cherished aspects of memory associated with ghost stories.
134. Kazemori
Kazemori means “wind guardian,” suggesting protective spirits that guide and watch over humans.
135. Aoka
Aoka means “blue fragrance,” invoking the ethereal scents often associated with ghostly presences.
136. Fujitaka
Fujitaka means “wisteria mountain,” hinting at the historical tales of wandering spirits among natural sights.
137. Fūsa
Fūsa means “wind sound,” evoking the gentle whispers often credited to ghostly interactions.
138. Hanazono
Hanazono means “flower garden,” symbolizing beauty and enchantment tied to spectral appearances.
139. Keiune
Keiune means “spirit connection,” illustrating ties that bond the living with departed spirits.
140. Yūrei no Kizu
This name translates to “scar of the ghost,” reflecting the lingering impacts of spirits upon the living.
141. Aishita
Aishita means “beloved ghost,” portraying warmth connected with remembrance from those passed.
142. Junko
Junko means “pure child,” often symbolizing innocence tied to childhood memories of spirits.
143. Kaho
Kaho means “flower of the sun,” representing beauty found even in haunts.
144. Tsuruhime
Tsuruhime translates to “crane princess,” linking graceful bird figures often tied to ghost legends.
145. Momoko
Momoko means “peach child,” invoking growth amidst tales of the foreign specters.
146. Hisui
Hisui means “jade,” indicating the precious memories ghosts can hold for the living.
147. Kano
Kano means “birds’ flying,” symbolizing the way spirits are believed to navigate freely.
148. Kaname
Kaname means “essential,” reflecting the importance placed on experiences with spirits.
149. Ritsu
Ritsu means “enthusiasm,” often paralleling the joy found in ghostly encounters.
150. Aoi
Aoi translates to “hollyhock,” an intriguing connection to seasonal representations of spirits.
Final Thoughts
This article explored numerous Japanese names that carry ghostly meanings, showcasing their cultural significance. Each name not only has a definition but also rich stories and traditions tied to Japanese folklore. Understanding these names provides a glimpse into the supernatural elements that are revered in Japan. Whether you are interested in naming, cultural insights, or are simply fascinated by ghost stories, these names offer a unique connection to the spirit world.
For those looking for more, you can dive deeper into names specifically for girls that mean ghost or explore a wider range of names with similar themes. The world of Japanese folklore is vast, and each name is a window into rich narratives, illustrating the depth of culture and belief within the realm of spirits.
Explore more names with ghost meanings by visiting this link, or discover girl names that mean ghost for a more focused selection.