Names carry significant meanings in every culture, and Japanese is no exception. Some names, however, are believed to bring bad luck due to their meanings or the sounds associated with them. This can be especially important in Japan, where names can influence a person’s fortune or fate. Understanding these names can offer insight into Japanese culture and the beliefs surrounding names.
Today, we will look at some Japanese names that are thought to represent bad luck. We’ll explore their meanings and the reasons why they are viewed unfavorably. Learning about these names can help us appreciate the importance of meaning in language and culture.
Names That Mean Bad Luck In Japanese
1. Akuma
The name Akuma means ‘devil’ in Japanese, which immediately associates it with misfortune and evil. It’s a name that can induce fears about bad luck.
2. Yurei
Yurei translates to ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit’ and is often linked to bad luck or death. This name carries a heavy connotation that might ward off positive energies.
3. Kurai
Kurai means ‘dark’ or ‘gloomy’, reflecting negativity and misfortune. Naming someone Kurai might suggest a life filled with challenges.
4. Inunaki
Inunaki means ‘dog’s bark’, which is considered unlucky as barking dogs are thought to bring misfortune in some Japanese beliefs.
5. Tenbatsu
Tenbatsu means ‘heavenly punishment’ and carries a strong implication that it could be associated with bad luck and unfortunate events.
6. Mizuki
Mizuki, which means ‘flood’, could evoke fears of disaster. This name suggests instability and chaos, making it symbolic of bad luck.
7. Datsu
Datsu means ‘to escape’ or ‘to get away’, hinting that something is always slipping away, potentially bringing continuous misfortune.
8. Kuroi
Kuroi means ‘black’, often representing evil or darkness in Japanese culture. As a name, it can signify bad luck and negativity.
9. Shido
Shido means ‘dead man’, which is an unfortunate association that could represent bad luck and tragedy in life.
10. Chiita
Chiita means ‘to run away’ or ‘to flee’, hinting at avoidance. This name can be seen as unlucky due to its implications of failure.
11. Akai
Akai translates to ‘red’, which in some contexts is associated with blood and misfortune. The connotation can be considered unlucky in certain cultures.
12. Yomi
Yomi means ‘to read’ or ‘reading’, but is also associated with reading omens which can predict bad luck.
13. Rujin
Rujin translates to ‘foul person’ and embodies negativity, leading to associations with misfortune.
14. Shinjitsu
Shinjitsu means ‘truth’, but when paired with negative experiences, it can turn into a bad omen about facing harsh realities.
15. Urami
Urami means ‘grudge’, representing unresolved anger or misfortune associated with past grudges.
16. Takai
Takai means ‘high’ or ‘tall’, but can imply elevation to misfortune or adversity, making it an unfavorable name in that context.
17. Umibouzu
Umibouzu means ‘sea monster’, evoking fears of danger and misfortune linked to the depths of the ocean.
18. Sengai
Sengai means ‘death’ and brings along the idea of inevitable bad luck or unfortunate lives.
19. Rakka
Rakka translates to ‘falling’ or ‘to fall’, symbolizing downfall which can be associated with misfortune.
20. Warai
Warai means ‘laughter’; however, it carries irony regarding happiness, hinting that good times may quickly turn unlucky.
21. Ankai
Ankai means ‘darkness’, representing bad luck or unfortunate circumstances often linked to grim situations.
22. Iin
Iin translates as ‘to complain’, and is often viewed as an unlucky name because it can signal negativity.
23. Jiko
Jiko means ‘accident’, immediately connecting it with misfortune and bad luck and suggesting a troubled life.
24. Arashi
Arashi means ‘storm’, evoking chaos and bad luck due to unpredictable circumstances.
25. Owari
Owari means ‘end’, signifying doom or letting go of good things, which brings bad luck.
26. Yamiyo
Yamiyo translates to ‘darkness of the mountain’, suggesting a lifetime filled with challenges and misfortune.
27. Kureha
Kureha means ‘dark leaves’ and hints at decay, strongly suggesting bad luck and ominous connotations.
28. Shikkoku
Shikkoku translates to ‘jet black’ and is a name closely associated with evil and bad luck in Japanese culture.
29. Shinkai
Shinkai means ‘deep sea’ which can be dangerous and is often associated with misfortune due to its vast unknown.
30. Kangei
Kangei means ‘welcome’, but if used sarcastically can imply negativity which can challenge a person’s fortune.
31. Maiko
Maiko means ‘dance child’, yet it can evoke images of fleeting happiness and the precariousness of fortune.
32. Gokai
Gokai means ‘delusion’ and has strongly negative associations that can lead to bad luck in life.
33. Haruaku
Haruaku means ‘spring sorrow’ suggesting that beauty in life can yield misfortune.
34. Shin’en
Shin’en means ‘deep sorrow’ and is a name filled with sadness that could be associated with bad luck and fate.
35. Fuan
Fuan means ‘anxiety or uneasiness’, drawing on feelings of negativity that can accompany bad luck.
36. Genshi
Genshi means ‘primitive’, evoking a sense of regression that might align with misfortune.
37. Rekishi
Rekishi means ‘history’ and when filled with tales of misfortune, it could signify a legacy of bad luck.
38. Fukuzatsu
Fukuzatsu means ‘complicated’ and can evoke feelings of difficulties that typically accompany bad luck.
39. Kanashimi
Kanashimi means ‘sadness’ which is often associated with misfortune and an unlucky life.
40. Satei
Satei means ‘to deny’ suggesting that something good may always be out of reach, a sign of bad luck.
41. Akumu
Akumu means ‘nightmare’ clearly indicating a negative experience connected with the name leading to bad luck.
42. Kurobana
Kurobana means ‘black flower’ which may symbolize beauty hiding bad luck within.
43. Fuhen
Fuhen means ‘unstable’ suggesting shakiness in life which can lead to bad occurrences.
44. Sennin
Sennin translates to ‘immortal’, hinting at an unending life possibly filled with unfortunate experiences.
45. Haka
Haka means ‘grave’ which brings strong associations with death and misfortune.
46. Kuchiwarai
Kuchiwarai means ‘mouth with a smile’ but paradoxically hints at underlying negativity suggesting bad luck.
47. Kizuna
Kizuna means ‘bond’ and can be ironic, hinting that close ties might lead to misfortunes.
48. Shioku
Shioku means ‘to perish’ which can symbolize the end of all good fortunes.
49. Eizō
Eizō means ‘eternal image’ suggesting capturing unfortunate instances perpetually in bad luck.
50. Inochino
Inochino means ‘of life’ but can signify unfortunate life experiences overall, aligning with bad luck.
51. Kōgō
Kōgō means ‘highly ranked’ and conversely suggests the fall from a high position that leads to misfortune.
52. Tsumetai
Tsumetai means ‘cold’ signifying emotional distance that can also symbolize bad luck.
53. Kodokushi
Kodokushi translates to ‘lonely death’ suggesting a life filled with isolation and misfortune.
54. Nankai
Nankai means ‘difficulty’ suggesting life full of hardships linked with bad luck.
55. Shikumi
Shikumi means ‘mechanism’ indicating a systematic way of bringing misfortunes upon oneself.
56. Yamusume
Yamusume means ‘shadow daughter’ which hints at a life cast in shadows, a form of bad luck.
57. Burii
Burii means ‘a solitary being’ symbolizing isolation that often ties to unlucky circumstances.
58. Abura
Abura means ‘oil’, but in some contexts, it’s seen as slippery, suggesting instability and bad luck.
59. Yandere
Yandere means ‘affectionate but dangerously obsessed’, hinting that love can bring about unfortunate consequences.
60. Sekai
Sekai means ‘world’ but connects with a harsh landscape of life, linking to bad luck experiences.
61. Tsukiakari
Tsukiakari means ‘moonlight’ but hints at the elusive quality reflecting misfortune in some beliefs.
62. Kamenoko
Kamenoko means ‘mask child’ suggesting hidden identities often bring confusion and bad luck.
63. Jiyuu
Jiyuu means ‘freedom’ but can ironically symbolize isolation and misfortune.
64. Kurushimi
Kurushimi means ‘suffering’ arraying strongly with negative experiences and bad luck.
65. Natsukawa
Natsukawa means ‘summer river’ which can signify turbulent waters synonymous with bad luck.
66. Higanbana
Higanbana translates to ‘red spider lily,’ associated with death and thus is considered a bearer of bad luck.
67. Yureishin
Yureishin means ‘ghost heart’ hinting at lives filled with haunting experiences, suggesting bad luck.
68. Honma
Honma means ‘truth’ but when the truth could lead to painful realities signifies misfortune.
69. Kumo
Kumo means ‘cloud’ hinting at storms that bring misfortune.
70. Murasaki
Murasaki means ‘purple’ which can symbolize mourning in some contexts, linking to bad luck.
71. Dake
Dake means ‘only’, implying isolation and misfortune when things are limited.
72. Sakana
Sakana means ‘fish’, but in some beliefs, fish that swim in storms can lead to adverse luck.
73. Yoku
Yoku means ‘to desire’; excessive wanting can symbolize bad luck as fulfillment may never arrive.
74. Nōsatsu
Nōsatsu means ‘to deceive’, indicating mistrust and bad luck associated with betrayal.
75. Kurasu
Kurasu means ‘to live’, yet living a life associated with unlucky experiences suggests challenges.
76. Irugo
Irugo means ‘to follow’, often implying following paths that are hazardous, linking it to bad luck.
77. Sakanaya
Sakanaya translates to ‘fish shop’; however, the proximity to the sea has connotations with misfortune.
78. Koro
Koro means ‘death’, bringing unfortunate connections that suggest bad luck.
79. Ikari
Ikari means ‘anger’, undoubtedly suggesting negativity that can lead to bad luck.
80. Kenka
Kenka means ‘fight’ and is thus laden with a connotation of conflict and resulting misfortune.
81. Sokka
Sokka means ‘forge’, indicating painful experiences that bring about bad luck.
82. Haku
Haku translates to ‘white’, but the association with death and mourning often ties it to bad luck.
83. Yami
Yami means ‘darkness’ and encapsulates the mystery associated with bad luck in various contexts.
84. Zankoku
Zankoku means ‘cruel’ calling for associations with a hard life, thus signaling bad luck.
85. Fudō
Fudō translates to ‘immovable’, suggesting stagnancy often leads to misfortune.
86. Gisei
Gisei means ‘sacrifice’, hinting at losses associated with bad luck.
87. Utsukushii
Utsukushii means ‘beautiful’, yet ironically, beauty can conceal danger and misfortune.
88. Kumorino
Kumorino means ‘cloudy’, hinting at uncertainties aligning with bad luck.
89. Seian
Seian translates to ‘purification’; but in the face of unfortunate situations, it can bring a twist of bad luck.
90. Akushin
Akushin means ‘evil heart’ tying closely with names that commonly become synonymous with bad luck.
91. Suiren
Suiren means ‘water lily’; they often symbolize duality, hinting at beauty masked by misfortune.
92. Kokoro
Kokoro means ‘heart’, yet ties to sadness leading to bad luck and hardships.
93. Karasu
Karasu translates to ‘crow’, which is a harbinger of bad luck, due to their cultural associations.
94. Futo
Futo means ‘fat’ but can symbolize indulgences that negatively affect life fortunes.
95. Ushiro
Ushiro means ‘behind’, suggesting ominous implications of things lurking behind leading to bad luck.
96. Ketsumatsu
Ketsumatsu means ‘end result’, connecting strongly with unfortunate circumstances leading to bad luck.
97. Tentaion
Tentaion hints at ‘temptation’ which can lead to bad decisions that connect with bad luck.
98. Furikake
Furikake means ‘seasoning’, suggesting unpredictable outcomes often can lead to bad situations.
99. Aō
Aō translates to ‘blue’, which in some beliefs symbolizes sadness, leading to connections with bad luck.
100. Mukashi
Mukashi means ‘long ago’ and can relate to old misfortunes haunting the present offering no luck.
101. Gure
Gure means ‘grey’, indicating a dull existence often tied to misfortune.
102. Kage
Kage translates to ‘shadow’, hinting at the darkness of unfortunate situations that symbolize bad luck.
103. Zetsubou
Zetsubou means ‘despair’, directly connecting with unfortunate experiences commonly associated with bad luck.
104. Gūu
Gūu means ‘to be left behind’, symbolizing loneliness often leading to bad luck.
105. Ikigai
Ikigai means ‘reason for being’ but unresolved meanings can tie to misfortunes.
106. Shinaru
Shinaru means ‘to die out’, echoing misfortunes and negative turn of fates.
107. Shinjiru
Shinjiru translates to ‘to believe’ but the mistrust often arrives leading to misfortune.
108. Oosaka
Oosaka means ‘large hill’, where one can stumble and fall, symbolizing bad luck.
109. Michibiki
Michibiki means ‘guidance’, however, it hints at leading down dark paths marked by misfortune.
110. Ano
Ano means ‘past’ linking to histories filled with bad luck.
111. Tōkai
Tōkai means ‘eastern sea’, where storms brew often hinting bad luck.
112. Usotsuki
Usotsuki means ‘liar’, indicating dishonesty often triggers bad luck.
113. Shōmei
Shōmei means ‘to clarify’, reflecting deeper truths that might reveal unfortunate things leading to bad luck.
114. Hijiri
Hijiri means ‘sacred’, but the associated challenges can represent unlucky undertones.
115. Meikai
Meikai means ‘bright sea’ yet alludes to dangerous waters that hint at bad luck.
116. Kōyou
Kōyou means ‘crimson leaf’, hinting at change often associated with bad luck.
117. Akiyama
Akiyama means ‘autumn mountain’ symbolizing fallen leaves, connecting it with bad luck.
118. Namida
Namida translates to ‘tear’, often suggesting a history of sorrow and misfortune.
119. Amenomori
Amenomori means ‘shelter from rain’ where undesirable elements hint at bad luck when considered.
120. Kaosu
Kaosu means ‘chaos’; an existence linked with disorder can represent bad luck.
121. Sozai
Sozai means ‘ingredient’ yet notions about its usage hint at bad luck linked in diets.
122. Uzu
Uzu means ‘whirlpool’, invoking images of being ensnared by misfortune.
123. Henka
Henka means ‘transformation’, yet unexpected changes often signify fluctuations in luck.
124. Yubisashi
Yubisashi translates into ‘finger pointing’ indicating blame that could accompany bad luck.
125. Soro
Soro means ‘to fall behind’, indicating a lack of forward movement often leads to bad luck.
126. Hōgen
Hōgen means ‘dialect’, representing regional dialects tied to unfortunate circumstances.
127. Yamiyuki
Yamiyuki means ‘mountain pass’, often lonely roads can symbolize a connection to bad luck experiences.
128. Koji
Koji means ‘to dig’, suggesting that one must dig through challenges often resulting in bad luck.
129. Toshinori
Toshinori means ‘vitality’, but vitality often connected with struggles symbolizes misfortune.
130. Taiyō
Taiyō means ‘sun’, evoking warmth, but sun can also cause damage if overexposed aligning with bad luck.
131. Sake
Sake refers to ‘alcohol’, while it can enliven it also leads to misfortune and addiction.
132. Wafū
Wafū means ‘Japanese style’; but styles can lead to being trapped in unhealthy patterns associated with bad luck.
133. Fūsen
Fūsen means ‘balloon’, representing fleeting experiences hints at bad luck when they pop.
134. Itsumo
Itsumo means ‘always’; implying train of bad thoughts that tie to misfortune experiences.
135. Gyouza
Gyouza means ‘dumpling’, while delightful can also imply fears of digestion issues leading to bad luck.
136. Hiyoko
Hiyoko means ‘chick’; delicate nature might connect with fragility linked to bad luck.
137. Hisoka
Hisoka means ‘secret’, indicating hidden misfortunes shrouded in noise.
138. Wakai
Wakai translates to ‘young’, while youth often implies promise; it can equally signify misfortune ahead.
139. Fūka
Fūka means ‘wind flower’, suggesting fragility that fate can affect, linking to bad luck.
140. Soushi
Soushi means ‘to freeze’, indicating a halted experience akin to relying on bad luck.
141. Yukiwa
Yukiwa means ‘snow circle’, evoking images of continuity that can echo cycles filled with bad luck.
142. Kaoru
Kaoru means ‘fragrance’; however, pleasant scents can deceptively hide bad luck associated experienced with others.
143. Iouis**
Ious means ‘string’, reflecting connection that reveals vulnerability linked to bad luck.
144. Haruka
Haruka means ‘distant’; far away from luck, as challenges arise typically mirror unfortunate experiences.
145. Gōtō
Gōtō means ‘five spins’; complex twists that mirror navigational bad luck.
146. Manko
Manko symbolizes ‘to accumulate’, yet accumulation can lead to burden hinting bad luck.
147. Yogen
Yogen means ‘prediction’; however, connecting predictions with unfortunate fates often implies bad luck.
148. Anzuru
Anzuru means ‘to worry’; ironically, worry itself resonates with notions of bad luck.
149. Riken
Riken means ‘to understand’; grasping misfortunes becomes central to rumors of bad luck.
150. Ikon
Ikon translates to ‘image’, bearing thoughts of representation that already suggest past misfortune.
Final Thoughts
Names that mean bad luck in Japanese reflect significant cultural beliefs about fate and destiny. These names often carry deep-rooted implications associated with unfortunate experiences. Understanding these names expands our appreciation for Japanese culture and the way meanings can influence lives.
Although these names can be daunting, they also provide insight into the values and traditions within Japanese society. If you’re curious about more names, feel free to check out similar topics such as Names That Mean Bad Luck or Japanese Names That Mean Evil. Exploring these themes deepens our understanding of how names connect to fortune and beliefs.
Ultimately, every name tells a unique story, reminding us of the importance of language and the significance it holds within various cultures.