Japanese culture is rich with symbolism, including the meanings behind names. Some Japanese names carry an unlucky connotation, often linked to misfortune, bad luck, or negative traits. Understanding these names is important for appreciating the depth of Japanese language and traditions.
Today, we will look at several Japanese names that are considered unlucky. We will explore their meanings and the reasons behind their negative associations. This knowledge can give insight into how names can influence a person’s life and the cultural significance we attach to them.
Japanese Names That Mean Unlucky
1. Akuma
Akuma means ‘devil’ or ‘demon’. This name is often associated with bad luck and misfortune in Japanese folklore, making it an unlucky name.
2. Chōkō
Chōkō translates to ‘heavily burdened’ or ‘afflicted’, which carries a negative connotation that can influence one’s life experience.
3. Sōka
Sōka means ‘suffering’ or ‘pain’, directly linked to hardship and misfortune, making it an unlucky choice for a name.
4. Urami
Urami means ‘resentment’ or ‘grudge’. This name symbolizes lingering negativity and unhappiness, making it unlucky.
5. Mura
Mura means ‘village’ but is often associated with the troubles that come in tight-knit communities, representing misfortune.
6. Rūsu
Rūsu means ‘curse’, directly tying the name to bad luck and unfortunate events, labeling it as unlucky.
7. Yabure
Yabure translates to ‘broken’ or ‘damaged’, symbolizing misfortune and loss, making it an unlucky name choice.
8. Fukō
Fukō means ‘bad luck’ or ‘misfortune’, clearly indicating the negative implications associated with the name.
9. Naki
Naki means ‘cry’ or ‘wail’, directly connecting to sorrow and tears, making this name unlucky.
10. Uchinuki
Uchinuki means ‘outcast’ or ‘exiled’, symbolizing a life of misfortune and solitude, making it an unlucky moniker.
11. Zetsubō
Zetsubō means ‘despair’ or ‘hopelessness’, representing deep unhappiness and thus considered an unlucky name.
12. Shūyari
Shūyari means ‘ending’ or ‘death’, which contributes to its association with misfortune and negativity.
13. Sakariba
Sakariba translates to ‘to go against’, symbolizing conflict and adversity, which are seen as unlucky traits.
14. Yamiyo
Yamiyo means ‘dark night’, often associated with uncertainty and fear, making it an unlucky choice.
15. Raigeki
Raigeki means ‘thunderbolt’ and is connected to sudden, unexpected misfortunes, representing an unlucky name.
16. Zangyō
Zangyō translates to ‘overwork’ or ‘excess labor’, correlating with unhappiness and misfortune.
17. Rakuza
Rakuza means ‘easy’ but can carry a negative connotation of laziness or lack of effort, suggesting unlucky traits.
18. Taihi
Taihi means ‘disaster’, which brings with it an overwhelmingly unlucky air for those bearing the name.
19. Tōgai
Tōgai translates to ‘misguided’ or ‘diversion’, clearly indicating bad luck and a troubled path.
20. Kuroi
Kuroi means ‘black’ or ‘dark’, which can symbolize bad luck and misfortune in Japanese culture.
21. Yūrei
Yūrei means ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit’ conveying a sense of lingering misfortune from the past, making it an unlucky name.
22. Manzoku
Manzoku means ‘dissatisfaction’, which can imply a lack of fulfillment and represent bad luck in life.
23. Inbō
Inbō translates to ‘evil spell’ or ‘curse’, making it a name heavily laden with notions of bad luck.
24. Fushigi
Fushigi means ‘mysterious’ but can imply an ambiguous, uneasy fortune, labeling it as unlucky.
25. Kurotsuki
Kurotsuki translates to ‘black moon’ which connotes bad omens and misfortune, making it a name to avoid.
26. Akarui
Akarui translates to ‘bright’ but can ironically suggest the absence of hope, making it unlucky.
27. Genkai
Genkai means ‘limit’ or ‘boundary’, which can signify barriers or misfortune.
28. Akairyo
Akairyo translates to ‘red ghost’ signifying danger or bad luck associated with hauntings.
29. Hōkō
Hōkō means ‘bad direction’, symbolizing unwise choices leading to misfortune.
30. Chōin
Chōin means ‘bad omen’, carrying a heavy negative association and signifying bad luck.
31. Shinjū
Shinjū translates to ‘double suicide’, connoting tragedy and untold misfortune, hence considered unlucky.
32. Nankai
Nankai means ‘south sea’, representing troubles and misfortunes associated with voyages.
33. Nakigoe
Nakigoe means ‘crying voice’, indicative of sorrow and misfortune, marking it as an unlucky name.
34. Fukujū
Fukujū means ‘bad luck’, directly correlating with unfortunate events and an unlucky connotation.
35. Yuuzai
Yuuzai means ‘to be criminal’, which signifies unflattering traits and misfortune.
36. Tadayo
Tadayo translates to ‘to wander aimlessly’, denoting a vague direction in life synonymous with bad luck.
37. Kizutsuki
Kizutsuki means ‘injured’, associating it directly with physical pain and misfortune.
38. Nankō
Nankō translates to ‘south harbor’, which can symbolize troubled waters and unfortunate journeys.
39. Yokoshima
Yokoshima means ‘evil intentions’ which is heavily laden with negative implications, making it an unlucky choice.
40. Tateha
Tateha means ‘hardship’, linking directly to an unfortunate life journey.
41. Yakeato
Yakeato means ‘burnt place’, suggesting ruined opportunities and misfortune.
42. Hakaisha
Hakaisha means ‘destruction’, reflecting devastation and loss, adding to its association with bad luck.
43. Karasu
Karasu means ‘crow’, often representing bad omens and misfortune.
44. Yuurei
Yuurei translates to ‘spirit’, symbolizing lingering spirits that often come with misfortune.
45. Fuhon
Fuhon means ‘disorder’, which carries the implication of bad luck and misfortune.
46. Takanari
Takanari translates to ‘tall ruin’, tying itself to misfortune and adverse conditions.
47. Katanazuki
Katanazuki means ‘disfavored’, which aligns with numerous negative associations making it unlucky.
48. Kurayami
Kurayami means ‘darkness’, which can invariably mean bad luck or unhappiness.
49. Sūha
Sūha means ‘deceit’, which presents numerous negative implications, lending it to association with bad luck.
50. Butū
Butū means ‘injured state’, showcasing the negative aspects of misfortune and making it unlucky.
51. Iinaka
Iinaka translates to ‘extract tree’, which suggests removal and potential loss of happiness, marking it as unlucky.
52. Rāzoku
Rāzoku means ‘bad family’, encompassing negative dynamics that signify misfortune.
53. Kurushimi
Kurushimi translates to ‘hardship’, aligning the name with the burdens of unlucky experiences.
54. Sasurai
Sasurai means ‘wanderers’, indicating a lack of anchorage linked to misfortune.
55. Yaminashi
Yaminashi means ‘river without light’, evoking feelings of helplessness and bad luck.
56. Shoubo
Shoubo translates to ‘small fire’, representing a subtle yet persistent misfortune in one’s fate.
57. Aimoichi
Aimoichi means ‘bad transaction’, indicating losing interests and bad luck.
58. Bōfū
Bōfū translates to ‘bad wind’, suggesting external influences that bring misfortune.
59. Urugai
Urugai means ‘surrounded by bad luck’, hinting at influences from the universe.
60. Hōu
Hōu means ‘sorrow’, directly linking it to unfortunate circumstances, thus regarded as unlucky.
61. Nakanokai
Nakanokai translates to ‘difficult era’, demarcating it as a name signalling misfortune.
62. Mizumi
Mizumi means ‘swamp’, which can inherently represent stagnation and bad luck.
63. Urami
Urami means ‘inward grudge’, symbolizing negative emotions and misfortune.
64. Shōzoku
Shōzoku translates to ‘miserable’, reflecting unfortunate experiences, thereby making it unlucky.
65. Inshō
Inshō means ‘impression’, but can symbolize a negative influence associated with bad luck.
66. Onryō
Onryō translates to ‘vengeful spirit’, highlighting deep-seated misfortune related to names.
67. Mōyō
Mōyō means ‘concerning’, emphasizing anxiety and potential for future misfortune.
68. Kagezumi
Kagezumi indicates ‘shadow smoke’, imbuing the name with a sense of mystery tied to misfortune.
69. Kiken
Kiken means ‘danger’, with connotations that inherently suggest unlucky traits.
70. Fukanō
Fukanō translates to ‘impossible’, which indicates challenges and misfortune.
71. Dōkō
Dōkō means ‘bad experience’, representing the struggles that can stem from unfortunate events.
72. Kōun
Kōun translates to ‘bad fortune’, directly correlating with negative implications associated with the name.
73. Hōkai
Hōkai means ‘destruction’, representing a significant misfortune attached to the name.
74. Kamitsukeru
Kamitsukeru translates to ‘to curse’, signifying a powerful association with unfortunate events.
75. Jōyū
Jōyū means ‘joyless’, pointing to a life experience riddled with misfortune.
76. Shōnen
Shōnen means ‘boy’, yet can symbolize a life of struggles and misfortune if associated with unfortunate experiences.
77. Kiyuu
Kiyuu means ‘grass’, potentially symbolizing a lack of strength tied to bad luck.
78. Ushitora
Ushitora translates to ‘ox and tiger’, carrying heavy cultural connotations of danger and disaster.
79. Akitsuki
Akitsuki means ‘moonlight’, but classical references have woven this name into unlucky tales.
80. Tōjū
Tōjū means ‘bell tolling’, signaling sadness and woven into narratives of misfortune.
81. Kuranai
Kuranai means ‘deep red’, often associated with danger and misfortune.
82. Kōhai
Kōhai translates to ‘junior’, representing a lack of prominence linked to unfortunate situations.
83. Yatakushira
Yatakushira means ‘overbearing’, hinting at negative family dynamics could bring forth misfortune.
84. Higasuna
Higasuna translates to ‘disgrace’, suggesting a connection to unfortunate events.
85. Utogoto
Utogoto means ‘slander’, invoking the notion of bad luck and misfortune through words.
86. Yōkai
Yōkai translates to ‘spirit’ or ‘suspicion’, often intertwining with stories tied to misfortune.
87. Ushineko
Ushineko means ‘cow cat’, portraying a whimsical name that, in folklore, often carries bad luck connotations.
88. Bōkō
Bōkō means ‘bad luck’, making it extremely clear the unfavorable nature associated with this name.
89. Ishizuka
Ishizuka translates to ‘rock mound’, often depicted in narratives with unfortunate events.
90. Nōdai
Nōdai means ‘barren field’, linking directly to concepts of unfruitfulness and misfortune.
91. Kamizumi
Kamizumi translates to ‘god’s fountain’, but is often associated with misfortunes in folklore.
92. Shōshō
Shōshō means ‘shameful’, carrying the traumatic implications of bad luck.
93. Taiken
Taiken means ‘experience’, but negative experiences can signal misfortune associated with this name.
94. Fusetsu
Fusetsu translates to ‘bad weather’, symbolizing unpredictable and unlucky events in life.
95. Araizumi
Araizumi means ‘overflowing stream’, indicative of struggles stemming from turbulent paths.
96. Fumizuki
Fumizuki translates to ‘paper moon’, often conveying messages of misfortune in old tales.
97. Hiyabi
Hiyabi means ‘burning fire’, symbolizing destruction and misfortune.
98. Yami
Yami means ‘darkness’, serving as an omen of bad luck and unfortunate traits.
99. Kireki
Kireki means ‘broken season’, symbolizing the end of fortunes leading to unluckiness.
100. Akugian
Akugian translates to ‘ugly likeness’, often representing the unfortunate events tied to self-image.
101. Rōten
Rōten means ‘fading’, symbolizing the loss of hope and linked to feelings of bad luck.
102. Yaburu
Yaburu means ‘to break’, suggesting the loss of happiness and fortune.
103. Kaze no Raku
Kaze no Raku translates to ‘wind’s misfortune’, highlighting the unpredictable nature of luck.
104. Shinshō
Shinshō means ‘religious belief’, which can lead to superstitions associated with negative outcomes.
105. Tokubetsu
Tokubetsu means ‘special’, implying that the uniqueness often aligns with unfortunate circumstances.
106. Gurohō
Gurohō means ‘death bell’, signifying impending misfortune.
107. Chūgai
Chūgai translates to ‘interruption’, often depicting unfortunate life events blocking paths.
108. Utsuroi
Utsuroi means ’empty’, symbolizing loss and misfortune throughout life’s journey.
109. Fukuka
Fukuka means ‘bad fortune’, which directly marks this name with unlucky associations.
110. Yuogai
Yuogai means ‘evil intent’, correlating closely with bad luck.
111. Tōgeki
Tōgeki means ‘passive attack’, highlighting a sense of unprovoked misfortune.
112. Suisō
Suisō translates to ‘water graves’, indicating unfortunate endings tied to this name.
113. Taihō
Taihō means ‘heavy rain’, symbolizing storms of bad luck.
114. Akina
Akina, while meaning ‘spring flower’, can also symbolize fragile beauty often linked with misfortune.
115. Kumojin
Kumojin translates to ‘cloud man’, often seen as misfortune in cultural tales.
116. Kakebi
Kakebi means ‘to deceive’, hinting at the potential for unlucky encounters.
117. Akigawa
Akigawa means ‘autumn river’, a calm yet foreboding name suggesting quiet misfortunes.
118. Muroka
Muroka translates to ‘unclear’, symbolizing confusion often associated with bad luck.
119. Aoki
Aoki means ‘blue tree’, but similarly carries narratives of misfortune within folklore.
120. Kurohime
Kurohime means ‘black princess’, alluding to misfortunes tied to nobility.
121. Yabune
Yabune translates to ‘bad boat’, highlighting unfortunate paths on bodies of water.
122. Chikei
Chikei means ‘earthquake’, carrying connotations that allude to chaos and misfortune.
123. Kiten
Kiten translates to ‘cursed place’, solidifying its connection to bad luck.
124. Ninsaku
Ninsaku means ‘tear harvest’, representing cultural tales embedded with misfortune.
125. Tsudzu
Tsudzu means ‘continuing’, but often highlights continual bad luck and struggles.
126. Sōhashi
Sōhashi means ‘tragic fortune’, making its association with misfortune very clear.
127. Sendai
Sendai translates to ‘river flows’, however, can also signify waters carrying misfortune.
128. Kurota
Kurota means ‘black door’, suggesting ominous beginnings often tied to misfortune.
129. Kamizato
Kamizato translates too ‘God’s descent’, which indicates bad fortune linked with misunderstandings of faith.
130. Minashigo
Minashigo means ‘orphan child’, emphasizing significant misfortunes throughout life.
131. Ushiwaka
Ushiwaka translates to ‘cow boy’, symbolizing simplicity that can lead to unlucky breaks.
132. Gūro
Gūro means ‘bitter’, creating an assemblage of bitterness associated with misfortune.
133. Munen
Munen translates to ‘lack of feeling’, alluding to emotional connections dotted with misfortune.
134. Yūrokurō
Yūrokurō means ‘dark future’, enveloping the thoughts linked to bad luck.
135. Amatsu
Amatsu means ‘heaven’, but often symbolizes a separation leading to misfortune.
136. Ninokasa
Ninokasa translates to ‘past failure’, clearly indicating a life marked by misfortune.
137. Setsuzen
Setsuzen means ‘dry fountain’, signifying the absence of good luck.
138. Shōkara
Shōkara means ‘bad news’, indicating unfortunate experiences attached to this name.
139. Kōzō
Kōzō means ‘bad luck’, presenting itself starkly as an unseemly choice for a name.
140. Kamiyaki
Kamiyaki translates to ‘god burn’, symbolizing turmoil and misfortune stemming from divine disconnect.
141. Kanashimi
Kanashimi means ‘sadness’, indicating an unlucky perspective through dominant emotion.
142. Senkō
Senkō translates to ‘past waves’, drawing upon turbulent events that may lead to misfortune.
143. Tōza
Tōza means ‘to suffer’, presenting consequences tied to unfortunate experiences.
144. Yūjō
Yūjō translates to ‘friendship’ yet, in some contexts, may connote contingent misfortune.
145. Kenkon
Kenkon means ‘bad match’, signifying unlucky partnerships throughout life.
146. Sudan
Sudan translates to ‘misfired’, highlighting wrong turns associating with bad luck.
147. Takemori
Takemori means ‘wooden forest’, suggesting wooden dead ends tied to unfortunate occurrences.
148. Chikazuki
Chikazuki translates to ‘to approach’, symbolizing unwarranted close encounters to misfortune.
149. Sekihara
Sekihara means ‘red field’, typically associated with battle and poor outcomes.
150. Kōdai
Kōdai translates to ‘tragedy’, framing it as a name strongly woven into the fabric of misfortune.
Final Thoughts
Understanding Japanese names that mean unlucky can shed light on cultural beliefs regarding how names can shape people’s lives. Each name carries historical significance and deep-rooted symbolism, encapsulating emotions tied to misfortune and hardship. Knowing these associations can inform our perspective about the narratives we hold regarding our identifiers.
Names steeped in misfortune often paint a picture of life’s challenges, emphasizing the need for understanding and respect in cultural contexts. Engaging with the meanings behind names encourages profound appreciation for the intricacies of the Japanese language.
If you’re curious about more fascinating aspects, consider exploring other topics. You might find it interesting to learn about names that mean unlucky or even names that represent curses. Dive deeper into the meanings behind names for a fuller appreciation of their significance.