Japanese Names That Mean “Star” (Beautiful Names for Boys & Girls)

Are you searching for a Japanese name that shines with elegance, meaning, and tradition? In Japanese culture, stars (星 hoshi) symbolize guidance, hope, and divine light. Choosing a name inspired by the stars connects your child to centuries of folklore, poetry, and cosmic wonder. Whether you’re drawn to classic names like Hoshi (“star”) or more poetic ones such as Noborihoshi (“rising star”), each carries a story of brilliance and aspiration.

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Cultural Significance of the Star in Japan

In Japanese culture, stars are deeply woven into mythology, art, and daily life. They are seen as symbols of guidance, fate, and protection. The Japanese festival Tanabata (Star Festival) celebrates the celestial meeting of two lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are represented by the stars Vega and Altair. This timeless legend highlights how stars embody love, reunion, and hope. Across history, the night sky has inspired poets, samurai, and scholars alike, turning the motif of the star into a powerful symbol of dreams, destiny, and spiritual connection.

Japanese Girl Names That Mean Star

• Hoshi
  Kanji: 星
  Pronunciation: ho-shee
  Meaning: “Star” 
• Hoshiko
  Kanji: 星子
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ko
  Meaning: “Star child” 
• Akahoshi
  Kanji: 赤星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Red star” 
• Kira
  Kanji: 煌 / きら
  Pronunciation: kee-rah
  Meaning: “Shining, glittering” (evokes starlight) 
• Suzuho
  Kanji: 鈴星
  Pronunciation: soo-zoo-ho
  Meaning: “Star bell” or “ringing star” 
• Akaru
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-roo
  Meaning: “Bright star” (also means Venus, the morning star) 
• Hoshimi
  Kanji: 星美
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-mee
  Meaning: “Beautiful star” 
• Hoshina
  Kanji: 星奈
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-na
  Meaning: “Star and harmony” 
• Risa
  Kanji: 理紗 / 星咲
  Pronunciation: ree-sa
  Meaning: “Star bloom” 
• Hoshino
  Kanji: 星乃
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-no
  Meaning: “Of the star” 
• Subaru
  Kanji: 昴
  Pronunciation: soo-ba-roo
  Meaning: “Pleiades star cluster” 
• Meisei
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: may-say
  Meaning: “Bright or brilliant star” 
• Akarui
  Kanji: 明星花
  Pronunciation: a-ka-roo-ee
  Meaning: “Flower of the morning star” 
• Hikaru
  Kanji: 光 / 輝
  Pronunciation: hee-ka-roo
  Meaning: “Radiance; shining like a star” 
• Hoshiru
  Kanji: 星流
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-roo
  Meaning: “Flowing star (meteor)” 
• Kirara
  Kanji: 綺羅 / 煌々
  Pronunciation: kee-ra-ra
  Meaning: “Sparkling; shining like stars” 
• Hoshika
  Kanji: 星香
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ka
  Meaning: “Star fragrance” 
• Rinhoshi
  Kanji: 凛星
  Pronunciation: reen-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Dignified star” 
• Yumehoshi
  Kanji: 夢星
  Pronunciation: yoo-me-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Dream star” 
• Nozomi
  Kanji: 希星
  Pronunciation: no-zo-mee
  Meaning: “Wish upon a star” 
• Amaboshi
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Heavenly star” 
• Mihoshi
  Kanji: 美星
  Pronunciation: mee-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Beautiful star” 
• Aya
  Kanji: 彩星
  Pronunciation: ah-yah
  Meaning: “Colorful star” 
• Sorahoshi
  Kanji: 空星
  Pronunciation: so-rah-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Sky star” 
• Noborihoshi
  Kanji: 昇星
  Pronunciation: no-bo-ree-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Rising star”

Japanese Boy Names That Mean Star

• Hoshiro
  Kanji: 星郎
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ro
  Meaning: “Star man” 
• Hoshito
  Kanji: 星翔
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-to
  Meaning: “Star flight” 
• Akaboshi
  Kanji: 赤星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Red star” 
• Subaru
  Kanji: 昴
  Pronunciation: soo-ba-roo
  Meaning: “The Pleiades; constellation” 
• Hoshihiko
  Kanji: 星彦
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-hee-ko
  Meaning: “Star prince” 
• Noboriboshi
  Kanji: 昇星
  Pronunciation: no-bo-ree-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Rising star” 
• Ryuusei
  Kanji: 流星
  Pronunciation: ryoo-say
  Meaning: “Shooting star” 
• Hoshiyuki
  Kanji: 星雪
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-yoo-kee
  Meaning: “Star snow” 
• Akasei
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-say
  Meaning: “Bright star (Venus)” 
• Seiya
  Kanji: 星夜 / 聖夜
  Pronunciation: say-ya
  Meaning: “Starry night / holy night” 
• Kousei
  Kanji: 光星
  Pronunciation: ko-say
  Meaning: “Shining star” 
• Taisei
  Kanji: 大星
  Pronunciation: tie-say
  Meaning: “Great star” 
• Hoshin
  Kanji: 星心
  Pronunciation: ho-shin
  Meaning: “Heart of a star” 
• Tensei
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: ten-say
  Meaning: “Heavenly star” 
• Hoshiki
  Kanji: 星輝
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-kee
  Meaning: “Star brilliance” 
• Hoshio
  Kanji: 星男
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-oh
  Meaning: “Man of the stars” 
• Hoshimaru
  Kanji: 星丸
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ma-roo
  Meaning: “Round star / shining circle” 
• Hikarusei
  Kanji: 光星
  Pronunciation: hee-ka-roo-say
  Meaning: “Radiant star” 
• Keisei
  Kanji: 慧星
  Pronunciation: kay-say
  Meaning: “Comet / wise star” 
• Shousei
  Kanji: 翔星
  Pronunciation: sho-say
  Meaning: “Flying star” 
• Reihoshi
  Kanji: 霊星
  Pronunciation: ray-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Spirit star” 
• Ginsei
  Kanji: 銀星
  Pronunciation: geen-say
  Meaning: “Silver star” 
• Tsubasa
  Kanji: 翼星
  Pronunciation: tsoo-ba-sa
  Meaning: “Winged star” 
• Rensei
  Kanji: 蓮星
  Pronunciation: ren-say
  Meaning: “Lotus star” 
• Daisei
  Kanji: 大星
  Pronunciation: dai-say
  Meaning: “Great or mighty star”

Read More: Japanese Names That Start With C

Japanese Unisex Names That Mean Star

• Hoshi
  Kanji: 星
  Pronunciation: ho-shee
  Meaning: “Star” 
• Subaru
  Kanji: 昴
  Pronunciation: soo-ba-roo
  Meaning: “The Pleiades (star cluster)” 
• Ryuusei
  Kanji: 流星
  Pronunciation: ryoo-say
  Meaning: “Shooting star” 
• Kousei
  Kanji: 光星
  Pronunciation: ko-say
  Meaning: “Bright star” 
• Tensei
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: ten-say
  Meaning: “Heavenly star” 
• Seiya
  Kanji: 星夜
  Pronunciation: say-ya
  Meaning: “Starry night” 
• Meisei
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: may-say
  Meaning: “Morning star / brilliant star” 
• Hikaru
  Kanji: 光
  Pronunciation: hee-ka-roo
  Meaning: “Light / shining” 
• Kirara
  Kanji: 綺羅
  Pronunciation: kee-ra-ra
  Meaning: “Sparkling, glittering” 
• Hoshina
  Kanji: 星奈
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-na
  Meaning: “Star and harmony” 
• Mihoshi
  Kanji: 美星
  Pronunciation: mee-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Beautiful star” 
• Amasei
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-say
  Meaning: “Star of heaven” 
• Sorahoshi
  Kanji: 空星
  Pronunciation: so-rah-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Sky star” 
• Keisei
  Kanji: 慧星
  Pronunciation: kay-say
  Meaning: “Comet” 
• Hoshin
  Kanji: 星心
  Pronunciation: ho-shin
  Meaning: “Heart of the star” 
• Akarusei
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-roo-say
  Meaning: “Morning star / Venus” 
• Rensei
  Kanji: 蓮星
  Pronunciation: ren-say
  Meaning: “Lotus star” 
• Ginsei
  Kanji: 銀星
  Pronunciation: geen-say
  Meaning: “Silver star” 
• Hoshiki
  Kanji: 星輝
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-kee
  Meaning: “Star light” 
• Nozohoshi
  Kanji: 望星
  Pronunciation: no-zo-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Star of hope” 
• Suzuho
  Kanji: 鈴星
  Pronunciation: soo-zoo-ho
  Meaning: “Bell star” 
• Akaboshi
  Kanji: 赤星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Red star” 
• Hoshimi
  Kanji: 星美
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-mee
  Meaning: “Beautiful star” 
• Noborihoshi
  Kanji: 昇星
  Pronunciation: no-bo-ree-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Rising star” 
• Toboshi
  Kanji: 飛星
  Pronunciation: to-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Flying star (meteor)”

Japanese Last Names Meaning Star

Name	Kanji	Meaning	Pronunciation
Hoshino	星野	Field of stars	ho-shee-no
Hoshiyama	星山	Star mountain	ho-shee-ya-ma
Hoshikawa	星川	Star river	ho-shee-ka-wa
Hoshizaki	星崎	Star cape / star point	ho-shee-za-kee
Hoshimoto	星本	Origin of the stars	ho-shee-mo-to
Hoshimura	星村	Star village	ho-shee-moo-ra
Hoshizawa	星沢	Star swamp / star valley	ho-shee-za-wa
Hoshida	星田	Star rice field	ho-shee-da
Hoshitani	星谷	Star valley	ho-shee-ta-nee
Hoshihara	星原	Star plain	ho-shee-ha-ra
Hoshiyuki	星雪	Star snow	ho-shee-yoo-kee
Akaboshi	赤星	Red star	a-ka-bo-shee
Aoboshi	青星	Blue star	a-o-bo-shee
Kuroboshi	黒星	Black star	koo-ro-bo-shee
Hoshikubo	星久保	Star hollow	ho-shee-koo-bo
Hoshinaga	星永	Eternal star	ho-shee-na-ga
Hoshitake	星竹	Star bamboo	ho-shee-ta-kay
Hoshimoto	星基	Foundation of the star	ho-shee-mo-to
Hoshisato	星里	Star village	ho-shee-sa-to
Hoshikura	星倉	Star storehouse	ho-shee-koo-ra
Hoshibayashi	星林	Star forest	ho-shee-ba-ya-shee
Hoshimatsu	星松	Star pine	ho-shee-ma-tsu
Hoshisawa	星沢	Star marsh	ho-shee-sa-wa
Hoshitomo	星友	Star friend	ho-shee-to-mo
Hoshizora	星空	Starry sky	ho-shee-zo-ra

Unique & Rare Japanese Names That Mean Star

• Hoshika
  Kanji: 星香
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ka
  Meaning: “Star fragrance” 
• Amaboshi
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Heavenly star” 
• Rinhoshi
  Kanji: 凛星
  Pronunciation: reen-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Dignified star” 
• Ginsei
  Kanji: 銀星
  Pronunciation: geen-say
  Meaning: “Silver star” 
• Reihoshi
  Kanji: 霊星
  Pronunciation: ray-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Spirit star” 
• Rensei
  Kanji: 蓮星
  Pronunciation: ren-say
  Meaning: “Lotus star” 
• Nozohoshi
  Kanji: 望星
  Pronunciation: no-zo-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Star of hope” 
• Hoshimiya
  Kanji: 星宮
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-mee-ya
  Meaning: “Star shrine” 
• Toboshi
  Kanji: 飛星
  Pronunciation: to-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Flying star (meteor)” 
• Aoboshi
  Kanji: 青星
  Pronunciation: a-o-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Blue star” 
• Akaboshi
  Kanji: 赤星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Red star” 
• Hoshikage
  Kanji: 星影
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ka-gay
  Meaning: “Star shadow” 
• Hoshimaru
  Kanji: 星丸
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ma-roo
  Meaning: “Round star / shining circle” 
• Kouseina
  Kanji: 光星奈
  Pronunciation: ko-say-na
  Meaning: “Bright, harmonious star” 
• Yumehoshi
  Kanji: 夢星
  Pronunciation: yoo-me-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Dream star” 
• Hoshihane
  Kanji: 星羽
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ha-neh
  Meaning: “Star feather” 
• Mihoshino
  Kanji: 美星乃
  Pronunciation: mee-ho-shee-no
  Meaning: “Beautiful star’s descendant” 
• Kouseiha
  Kanji: 光星波
  Pronunciation: ko-say-ha
  Meaning: “Wave of shining stars” 
• Hoshinori
  Kanji: 星紀
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-no-ree
  Meaning: “Era of stars” 
• Hoshikiyo
  Kanji: 星清
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-kee-yo
  Meaning: “Pure star” 
• Tenseira
  Kanji: 天星羅
  Pronunciation: ten-say-ra
  Meaning: “Heavenly net of stars (constellation)” 
• Hoshinao
  Kanji: 星尚
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-na-oh
  Meaning: “Esteemed star” 
• Kiraboshi
  Kanji: 煌星
  Pronunciation: kee-ra-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Radiant, glittering star” 
• Hoshishiro
  Kanji: 星白
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-shee-ro
  Meaning: “White star” 
• Amasei
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-say
  Meaning: “Heavenly / divine star”

Popular & Modern Japanese Names Inspired by the Star

• Hoshi
  Kanji: 星
  Pronunciation: ho-shee
  Meaning: “Star” 
• Subaru
  Kanji: 昴
  Pronunciation: soo-ba-roo
  Meaning: “Pleiades star cluster” 
• Ryuusei
  Kanji: 流星
  Pronunciation: ryoo-say
  Meaning: “Shooting star” 
• Seiya
  Kanji: 星夜 / 聖夜
  Pronunciation: say-ya
  Meaning: “Starry night / holy night” 
• Kousei
  Kanji: 光星
  Pronunciation: ko-say
  Meaning: “Bright star” 
• Mihoshi
  Kanji: 美星
  Pronunciation: mee-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Beautiful star” 
• Hoshina
  Kanji: 星奈
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-na
  Meaning: “Star and harmony” 
• Hikaru
  Kanji: 光
  Pronunciation: hee-ka-roo
  Meaning: “Light; shining” 
• Nozomi
  Kanji: 希星
  Pronunciation: no-zo-mee
  Meaning: “Wish upon a star” 
• Kirara
  Kanji: 綺羅
  Pronunciation: kee-ra-ra
  Meaning: “Sparkling; glittering like stars” 
• Meisei
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: may-say
  Meaning: “Morning star (Venus)” 
• Akaru
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-roo
  Meaning: “Bright star / morning light” 
• Taisei
  Kanji: 大星
  Pronunciation: tie-say
  Meaning: “Big star / great light” 
• Tensei
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: ten-say
  Meaning: “Heavenly star” 
• Hoshiki
  Kanji: 星輝
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-kee
  Meaning: “Shining star” 
• Keisei
  Kanji: 慧星
  Pronunciation: kay-say
  Meaning: “Comet / wise star” 
• Hoshito
  Kanji: 星翔
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-to
  Meaning: “Star flight” 
• Kira
  Kanji: 煌 / きら
  Pronunciation: kee-rah
  Meaning: “Shine, glitter” 
• Hoshimi
  Kanji: 星美
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-mee
  Meaning: “Beautiful star” 
• Noborihoshi
  Kanji: 昇星
  Pronunciation: no-bo-ree-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Rising star” 
• Rensei
  Kanji: 蓮星
  Pronunciation: ren-say
  Meaning: “Lotus star” 
• Amaboshi
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Heavenly star” 
• Akarusei
  Kanji: 明星
  Pronunciation: a-ka-roo-say
  Meaning: “Morning star (Venus)” 
• Sorahoshi
  Kanji: 空星
  Pronunciation: so-rah-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Sky star” 
• Daisei
  Kanji: 大星
  Pronunciation: dai-say
  Meaning: “Great / powerful star”

Read More: Japanese Names That Start With E

Star-Inspired Names from Japanese Mythology and Folklore

• Orihime
  Kanji: 織姫
  Pronunciation: o-ree-hee-meh
  Meaning: “Weaving princess; star Vega” 
• Hikoboshi
  Kanji: 彦星
  Pronunciation: hee-ko-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Star prince; star Altair” 
• Amanogawa
  Kanji: 天の川
  Pronunciation: a-ma-no-ga-wa
  Meaning: “Milky Way / river of heaven” 
• Tanabata
  Kanji: 七夕
  Pronunciation: ta-na-ba-ta
  Meaning: “Star festival” (celebrates Vega & Altair) 
• Amaterasu
  Kanji: 天照
  Pronunciation: a-ma-te-ra-su
  Meaning: “Shining heaven; sun goddess” 
• Tsukuyomi
  Kanji: 月読
  Pronunciation: tsu-ku-yo-mee
  Meaning: “Moon god; celestial reader” 
• Hoshigami
  Kanji: 星神
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ga-mee
  Meaning: “Star deity” 
• Amatsuhoshi
  Kanji: 天津星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-tsu-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Heavenly star god” 
• Tentei
  Kanji: 天帝
  Pronunciation: ten-tay
  Meaning: “Celestial emperor / god of the stars” 
• Ame-no-Kagaseo
  Kanji: 天香香背男
  Pronunciation: a-me-no-ka-ga-se-o
  Meaning: “Male deity of the shining stars” 
• Sukuyaboshi
  Kanji: 宿夜星
  Pronunciation: soo-koo-ya-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Star of the night” 
• Ameboshi
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-me-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Celestial star” 
• Hoshino-kami
  Kanji: 星の神
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-no-ka-mee
  Meaning: “God of stars” 
• Tenmei
  Kanji: 天明
  Pronunciation: ten-may
  Meaning: “Heavenly brightness / dawn of stars” 
• Amefuri
  Kanji: 雨降星
  Pronunciation: a-me-foo-ree-bo-shee
  Meaning: “Rain-falling star” 
• Hoshitama
  Kanji: 星玉
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-ta-ma
  Meaning: “Star jewel / divine orb” 
• Amaboshi-no-mikoto
  Kanji: 天星命
  Pronunciation: a-ma-bo-shee-no-mee-ko-to
  Meaning: “Divine star deity” 
• Ame-no-Mihoshi
  Kanji: 天の美星
  Pronunciation: a-me-no-mee-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Beautiful heavenly star” 
• Tenrai
  Kanji: 天来
  Pronunciation: ten-rye
  Meaning: “Gift from heaven (star-born)” 
• Hoshifuru
  Kanji: 星降る
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-foo-roo
  Meaning: “Falling stars” 
• Amanohoshi
  Kanji: 天星
  Pronunciation: a-ma-no-ho-shee
  Meaning: “Star of the heavens” 
• Tenhikari
  Kanji: 天光
  Pronunciation: ten-hee-ka-ree
  Meaning: “Heavenly light” 
• Hoshitoki
  Kanji: 星時
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-to-kee
  Meaning: “Time of stars” 
• Ameboshi-no-Kami
  Kanji: 天星神
  Pronunciation: a-me-bo-shee-no-ka-mee
  Meaning: “Heavenly star god” 
• Hoshihime
  Kanji: 星姫
  Pronunciation: ho-shee-hee-meh
  Meaning: “Star princess (divine maiden of light)”

Tips For Choosing the Perfect Star-Inspired Japanese Name 

• Understand the Symbolism Behind the Kanji
  In Japanese names, each kanji carries deep layers of meaning. For instance, 星 (hoshi) directly means “star,” but combining it with other kanji like 美 (beauty) or 翔 (soar) changes the nuance to “beautiful star” or “soaring star.” Take time to explore how different kanji pairings reflect your desired qualities.
• Look Beyond Literal Translations
  Not every star-related name uses the kanji 星. Words like 光 (hikari – light), 明 (akira – bright), or 昴 (subaru – Pleiades) also capture celestial imagery beautifully. Choosing a name that symbolizes the essence of stars can make it more poetic and personal. 
• Consider Gender-Neutral or Modern Variations
  Many Japanese names, such as Hikaru (“light”) or Subaru (“Pleiades”), are unisex. Modern parents increasingly prefer gender-flexible names that blend tradition with contemporary appeal. If you want something timeless yet fresh, try sleek combinations like Kousei (“bright star”) or Rensei (“lotus star”). 
• Draw Inspiration from Mythology and Nature
  Japanese folklore is rich with celestial tales like Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair), the star-crossed lovers of Tanabata. You can also find inspiration in nature-linked names that echo cosmic beauty, such as Sorahoshi (“sky star”) or Amaboshi (“heavenly star”). These add cultural depth and storytelling charm to the name. 
• Feel the Sound and Balance of the Name
  Japanese names are as much about sound as meaning. Soft-sounding names like Hoshina or Mihoshi feel gentle and melodic, while sharper names like Ryuusei or Kousei convey energy and determination.

Conclusion

Choosing a Japanese name that means star is more than just finding a pretty word. In Japanese culture, stars (星 / hoshi) symbolize protection, hope, and dreams that shine even in darkness. Whether you’re drawn to traditional names like Hoshiko (“star child”), poetic ones like Noborihoshi (“rising star”), or modern favorites like Ryuusei (“shooting star”), each carries a timeless sense of brilliance and aspiration.