Japanese Names That Mean Water (With Kanji, Meanings & Pronunciation)

If you’re looking for a name that reflects purity, strength, and serenity, Japanese names meaning “water” are an inspiring choice. In Japanese culture, water represents life, renewal, and balance. Whether you’re drawn to the calmness of a lake, the power of the ocean, or the grace of rainfall, these water-themed names beautifully capture nature’s essence. Many of them sound elegant and timeless, carrying meanings like “wave,” “river,” “ocean,” or even “water lily.” Perfect for both boys and girls, these names embody the peaceful yet powerful spirit of water, offering your baby a name that flows with meaning and cultural depth.

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Cultural Significance of the Water in Japan

In Japan, water holds deep spiritual and cultural importance. It symbolizes purity, cleansing, and transformation, values deeply rooted in Shinto beliefs, where water is used in purification rituals to wash away impurities. Rivers, lakes, and oceans are often seen as sacred spaces connecting humans to nature and the divine. The Japanese also view water as a symbol of adaptability and perseverance. From traditional gardens and koi ponds to poetic expressions in haiku, water continues to inspire art, language, and life in Japan, making it a profound source of meaning in Japanese names.

Japanese Girl Names That Mean Water

• Mizuki
  Kanji: 瑞希 / 美月
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-kee
  Meaning: “Beautiful water” / “fortunate water” 
• Suiren
  Kanji: 水蓮
  Pronunciation: soo-ee-ren
  Meaning: “Water lily” 
• Minamo
  Kanji: 水面
  Pronunciation: mee-nah-mo
  Meaning: “Water surface” 
• Mio
  Kanji: 澪 / 水緒
  Pronunciation: mee-oh
  Meaning: “Waterway” / “channel of water” 
• Nagisa
  Kanji: 渚
  Pronunciation: nah-gee-sah
  Meaning: “Beach” / “shoreline” 
• Harumi
  Kanji: 晴海
  Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee
  Meaning: “Clear sea” 
• Namika
  Kanji: 波香
  Pronunciation: nah-mee-kah
  Meaning: “Fragrance of waves” 
• Ami
  Kanji: 亜海 / 亜美
  Pronunciation: ah-mee
  Meaning: “Asian sea” / “second beauty” 
• Mina
  Kanji: 水菜
  Pronunciation: mee-nah
  Meaning: “Water greens” / “beautiful water” 
• Umi
  Kanji: 海
  Pronunciation: oo-mee
  Meaning: “Sea” 
• Nanami
  Kanji: 七海
  Pronunciation: nah-nah-mee
  Meaning: “Seven seas” 
• Rin
  Kanji: 凜 / 琳
  Pronunciation: reen
  Meaning: “Dignified water” / “cold and pure like water” 
• Misuzu
  Kanji: 美涼 / 瑞珠
  Pronunciation: mee-soo-zoo
  Meaning: “Beautiful coolness” / “pure pearl” 
• Sayaka
  Kanji: 沙耶香
  Pronunciation: sah-yah-kah
  Meaning: “Clear sand and fragrance” 
• Nozomi
  Kanji: 望海
  Pronunciation: noh-zoh-mee
  Meaning: “Hopeful sea” 
• Sayo
  Kanji: 沙代 / 小夜
  Pronunciation: sah-yoh
  Meaning: “World of sand” / “evening by the sea” 
• Ayame
  Kanji: 菖蒲
  Pronunciation: ah-yah-meh
  Meaning: “Iris flower” (grows near water) 
• Mizue
  Kanji: 瑞恵
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-eh
  Meaning: “Blessing of water” 
• Suzuna
  Kanji: 涼菜
  Pronunciation: soo-zoo-nah
  Meaning: “Cool greens” / “refreshing plant” 
• Haruumi
  Kanji: 春海
  Pronunciation: hah-roo-oo-mee
  Meaning: “Spring sea” 
• Reina
  Kanji: 麗水 / 玲奈
  Pronunciation: reh-ee-nah
  Meaning: “Lovely water” / “graceful purity” 
• Nami
  Kanji: 波
  Pronunciation: nah-mee
  Meaning: “Wave” 
• Mizuno
  Kanji: 水乃
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-noh
  Meaning: “Of water” / “belonging to water” 
• Sayumi
  Kanji: 沙由美
  Pronunciation: sah-yoo-mee
  Meaning: “Gentle sand beauty” 
• Ruka
  Kanji: 流花
  Pronunciation: roo-kah
  Meaning: “Flowing flower”

Japanese Boy Names That Mean Water

• Kai
  Kanji: 海
  Pronunciation: kah-ee
  Meaning: “Ocean” 
• Haruto
  Kanji: 陽翔 / 春翔 / 晴翔
  Pronunciation: hah-roo-toh
  Meaning: “Sunlight flying over water” 
• Minato
  Kanji: 湊
  Pronunciation: mee-nah-toh
  Meaning: “Harbor” / “port” 
• Ren
  Kanji: 蓮
  Pronunciation: ren
  Meaning: “Lotus” / “water lily” 
• Ryo
  Kanji: 涼 / 遼
  Pronunciation: ryoh
  Meaning: “Refreshing” / “cool like water” 
• Hiroshi
  Kanji: 浩 / 洋
  Pronunciation: hee-roh-shee
  Meaning: “Broad ocean” 
• Takumi
  Kanji: 匠 / 拓海
  Pronunciation: tah-koo-mee
  Meaning: “Ocean pioneer” / “skilled artisan” 
• Souta
  Kanji: 颯太 / 蒼汰
  Pronunciation: soh-tah
  Meaning: “Sudden wave” / “blue water” 
• Kaito
  Kanji: 海翔
  Pronunciation: kah-ee-toh
  Meaning: “Ocean flyer” / “soaring over sea” 
• Naoki
  Kanji: 直樹 / 尚輝
  Pronunciation: nah-oh-kee
  Meaning: “Honest tree” (symbol of water’s purity) 
• Hayate
  Kanji: 颯
  Pronunciation: hah-yah-teh
  Meaning: “Sudden gust” / “fast as wind and water” 
• Ryusei
  Kanji: 流星
  Pronunciation: ryoo-seh-ee
  Meaning: “Flowing star” / “meteor (flow like water)” 
• Isamu
  Kanji: 勇 / 勇海
  Pronunciation: ee-sah-moo
  Meaning: “Brave sea” 
• Mizuto
  Kanji: 水翔
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-toh
  Meaning: “Water flight” 
• Haruya
  Kanji: 陽哉 / 春也
  Pronunciation: hah-roo-yah
  Meaning: “Spring water” 
• Kaworu
  Kanji: 薫 / 馨
  Pronunciation: kah-woh-roo
  Meaning: “Fragrance” / “like fresh water” 
• Shun
  Kanji: 瞬 / 俊
  Pronunciation: shoon
  Meaning: “Quick, fast like flowing water” 
• Arata
  Kanji: 新 / 新汰
  Pronunciation: ah-rah-tah
  Meaning: “Fresh, new water” 
• Masumi
  Kanji: 真澄
  Pronunciation: mah-soo-mee
  Meaning: “True clarity (of water)” 
• Rento
  Kanji: 蓮翔
  Pronunciation: ren-toh
  Meaning: “Flying lotus” 
• Taiga
  Kanji: 大河
  Pronunciation: tie-gah
  Meaning: “Big river” 
• Kawato
  Kanji: 川翔
  Pronunciation: kah-wah-toh
  Meaning: “River flight” 
• Harumi
  Kanji: 晴海
  Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee
  Meaning: “Bright sea” 
• Rikuo
  Kanji: 陸生 / 陸雄
  Pronunciation: ree-koo-oh
  Meaning: “Land and water” / “strong man” 
• Kaito
  Kanji: 海翔
  Pronunciation: kah-ee-toh
  Meaning: “Sea and sky soaring”

Japanese Unisex Names That Mean Water

• Aoi
  Kanji: 葵 / 碧
  Pronunciation: ah-oh-ee
  Meaning: “Blue” / “hollyhock” / “color of water” 
• Mizuho
  Kanji: 瑞穂
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-ho
  Meaning: “Abundant water” / “fresh harvest” 
• Hinata
  Kanji: 日向 / 陽向
  Pronunciation: hee-nah-tah
  Meaning: “Facing the sun over water” 
• Rin
  Kanji: 凜 / 琳
  Pronunciation: reen
  Meaning: “Dignified and pure (like water)” 
• Rei
  Kanji: 玲 / 澪
  Pronunciation: reh-ee
  Meaning: “Sound of water” / “clever and pure” 
• Sora
  Kanji: 空
  Pronunciation: soh-rah
  Meaning: “Sky” (reflects the water’s surface) 
• Nao
  Kanji: 直 / 尚 / 奈緒
  Pronunciation: nah-oh
  Meaning: “Honest” / “straightforward and pure” 
• Yuki
  Kanji: 雪 / 由紀 / 裕希
  Pronunciation: yoo-kee
  Meaning: “Snow” / “happiness” / “gentle purity” 
• Rui
  Kanji: 涙 / 琉
  Pronunciation: roo-ee
  Meaning: “Tear” / “flowing crystal” 
• Mio
  Kanji: 澪
  Pronunciation: mee-oh
  Meaning: “Waterway” 
• Natsu
  Kanji: 夏
  Pronunciation: nah-tsoo
  Meaning: “Summer” (season of water festivals) 
• Izumi
  Kanji: 泉
  Pronunciation: ee-zoo-mee
  Meaning: “Spring” / “fountain” 
• Noa
  Kanji: 乃亜
  Pronunciation: noh-ah
  Meaning: “From water” / “peaceful ocean” 
• Shizuku
  Kanji: 雫
  Pronunciation: shee-zoo-koo
  Meaning: “Water droplet” 
• Aya
  Kanji: 彩 / 綾
  Pronunciation: ah-yah
  Meaning: “Colorful water” / “design” 
• Eimi
  Kanji: 永水
  Pronunciation: eh-ee-mee
  Meaning: “Eternal water” 
• Haru
  Kanji: 陽 / 春
  Pronunciation: hah-roo
  Meaning: “Spring” / “sunlight over water” 
• Mika
  Kanji: 美佳 / 水香
  Pronunciation: mee-kah
  Meaning: “Beautiful fragrance of water” 
• Renka
  Kanji: 蓮花
  Pronunciation: ren-kah
  Meaning: “Lotus flower” 
• Tsukimi
  Kanji: 月海
  Pronunciation: tsoo-kee-mee
  Meaning: “Moonlit sea” 
• Sena
  Kanji: 瀬奈
  Pronunciation: seh-nah
  Meaning: “Ripple stream” 
• Mizuna
  Kanji: 水菜
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-nah
  Meaning: “Water greens” 
• Ami
  Kanji: 亜海
  Pronunciation: ah-mee
  Meaning: “Asian sea” 
• Rumi
  Kanji: 瑠海
  Pronunciation: roo-mee
  Meaning: “Lapis sea” 
• Kiyo
  Kanji: 清
  Pronunciation: kee-yoh
  Meaning: “Pure water” / “cleanliness”

Read More: Japanese Names That Start With B

Japanese Last Names Meaning Water

Name	Kanji	Meaning	Pronunciation
Mizuno	水野	Field of water	mee-zoo-noh
Kawaguchi	川口	River mouth	kah-wah-goo-chee
Kawasaki	川崎	River cape	kah-wah-sah-kee
Kawamoto	川本	Origin of river	kah-wah-moh-toh
Kawahara	川原	River plain	kah-wah-hah-rah
Umino	海野	Field of the sea	oo-mee-noh
Mizushima	水島	Water island	mee-zoo-shee-mah
Mizuguchi	水口	Water mouth	mee-zoo-goo-chee
Minagawa	皆川	Everyone’s river	mee-nah-gah-wah
Ikezawa	池沢	Marsh river	ee-keh-zah-wah
Nakagawa	中川	Middle river	nah-kah-gah-wah
Inokawa	猪川	Boar river	ee-noh-kah-wah
Hasegawa	長谷川	Long valley river	hah-seh-gah-wah
Oogawa	小川	Small river	oh-gah-wah
Kawamura	川村	River village	kah-wah-moo-rah
Kawada	川田	River rice field	kah-wah-dah
Mizuhara	水原	Water plain	mee-zoo-hah-rah
Mizutani	水谷	Water valley	mee-zoo-tah-nee
Ishikawa	石川	Stone river	ee-shee-kah-wah
Tanigawa	谷川	Valley river	tah-nee-gah-wah
Amanogawa	天の川	Milky Way / River of the heavens	ah-mah-noh-gah-wah
Mizunoha	水葉	Water leaf	mee-zoo-noh-hah
Kawakami	川上	Upper river	kah-wah-kah-mee
Uchikawa	内川	Inner river	oo-chee-kah-wah
Kawagoe	川越	Beyond the river	kah-wah-goh-eh

Unique & Rare Japanese Names That Mean Water

• Mizuna
  Kanji: 水菜
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-nah
  Meaning: “Water greens” / “fresh aquatic plant” 
• Suiren
  Kanji: 水蓮
  Pronunciation: soo-ee-ren
  Meaning: “Water lily” 
• Mizore
  Kanji: 霙
  Pronunciation: mee-zoh-reh
  Meaning: “Sleet” / “rain mixed with snow” 
• Shizuku
  Kanji: 雫
  Pronunciation: shee-zoo-koo
  Meaning: “Water droplet” 
• Mioha
  Kanji: 澪羽
  Pronunciation: mee-oh-hah
  Meaning: “Water channel and feather” / “light water spirit” 
• Nagare
  Kanji: 流
  Pronunciation: nah-gah-reh
  Meaning: “Flow” / “current” 
• Minagi
  Kanji: 水凪
  Pronunciation: mee-nah-gee
  Meaning: “Calm water” / “still surface” 
• Suika
  Kanji: 水香
  Pronunciation: soo-ee-kah
  Meaning: “Fragrance of water” 
• Mizunao
  Kanji: 水直
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-nah-oh
  Meaning: “Straight as water” / “pure flow” 
• Seina
  Kanji: 清那
  Pronunciation: seh-ee-nah
  Meaning: “Pure water from the south” 
• Ryuka
  Kanji: 流花
  Pronunciation: ryoo-kah
  Meaning: “Flowing flower” 
• Mizuto
  Kanji: 水翔
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-toh
  Meaning: “Water flight” 
• Amina
  Kanji: 亜水菜
  Pronunciation: ah-mee-nah
  Meaning: “Second water plant” / “rare water beauty” 
• Mizutoha
  Kanji: 水葉
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-toh-hah
  Meaning: “Water leaf” 
• Namiko
  Kanji: 波子
  Pronunciation: nah-mee-koh
  Meaning: “Child of waves” 
• Sanae
  Kanji: 早苗
  Pronunciation: sah-nah-eh
  Meaning: “Early rice seedlings” (symbol of life through water) 
• Ruka
  Kanji: 流香
  Pronunciation: roo-kah
  Meaning: “Fragrance of flow” 
• Mizuya
  Kanji: 水弥
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-yah
  Meaning: “Beautiful water” / “gentle flow” 
• Uruha
  Kanji: 潤羽
  Pronunciation: oo-roo-hah
  Meaning: “Moist feather” / “soft water touch” 
• Ameha
  Kanji: 雨羽
  Pronunciation: ah-meh-hah
  Meaning: “Rain feather” 
• Mizusa
  Kanji: 水沙
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-sah
  Meaning: “Water and sand” 
• Rensui
  Kanji: 蓮水
  Pronunciation: ren-soo-ee
  Meaning: “Lotus water” 
• Minagiya
  Kanji: 水凪夜
  Pronunciation: mee-nah-gee-yah
  Meaning: “Still night water” 
• Suina
  Kanji: 水奈
  Pronunciation: soo-ee-nah
  Meaning: “Graceful water” 
• Hisame
  Kanji: 氷雨
  Pronunciation: hee-sah-meh
  Meaning: “Icy rain” / “cold drizzle”

Popular & Modern Japanese Names Inspired by the Water

• Kai
  Kanji: 海
  Pronunciation: kah-ee
  Meaning: “Ocean” / “sea” 
• Ren
  Kanji: 蓮
  Pronunciation: ren
  Meaning: “Lotus” / “water lily” 
• Kaito
  Kanji: 海翔
  Pronunciation: kah-ee-toh
  Meaning: “Soaring over the ocean” 
• Minato
  Kanji: 湊
  Pronunciation: mee-nah-toh
  Meaning: “Harbor” 
• Harumi
  Kanji: 晴海
  Pronunciation: hah-roo-mee
  Meaning: “Clear sea” 
• Mio
  Kanji: 澪
  Pronunciation: mee-oh
  Meaning: “Waterway” / “channel” 
• Aoi
  Kanji: 葵 / 碧
  Pronunciation: ah-oh-ee
  Meaning: “Blue” / “color of water” 
• Rin
  Kanji: 凜
  Pronunciation: reen
  Meaning: “Dignified purity” (like still water) 
• Souta
  Kanji: 蒼汰
  Pronunciation: soh-tah
  Meaning: “Blue water” / “clean wave” 
• Umi
  Kanji: 海
  Pronunciation: oo-mee
  Meaning: “Sea” 
• Nanami
  Kanji: 七海
  Pronunciation: nah-nah-mee
  Meaning: “Seven seas” 
• Haru
  Kanji: 陽 / 春
  Pronunciation: hah-roo
  Meaning: “Spring (water season)” 
• Reina
  Kanji: 麗水
  Pronunciation: reh-ee-nah
  Meaning: “Beautiful water” 
• Mizuki
  Kanji: 瑞希
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-kee
  Meaning: “Auspicious water” 
• Rento
  Kanji: 蓮翔
  Pronunciation: ren-toh
  Meaning: “Flying lotus” 
• Noa
  Kanji: 乃亜
  Pronunciation: noh-ah
  Meaning: “Peaceful water” / “from the sea” 
• Nami
  Kanji: 波
  Pronunciation: nah-mee
  Meaning: “Wave” 
• Izumi
  Kanji: 泉
  Pronunciation: ee-zoo-mee
  Meaning: “Spring” / “fountain” 
• Ryo
  Kanji: 涼
  Pronunciation: ryoh
  Meaning: “Cool” / “refreshing like water” 
• Taiga
  Kanji: 大河
  Pronunciation: tie-gah
  Meaning: “Great river” 
• Hinata
  Kanji: 陽向
  Pronunciation: hee-nah-tah
  Meaning: “Facing the sun over water” 
• Riku
  Kanji: 陸 / 琉久
  Pronunciation: ree-koo
  Meaning: “Land surrounded by water” / “flowing jewel” 
• Misuzu
  Kanji: 美涼
  Pronunciation: mee-soo-zoo
  Meaning: “Beautiful coolness” 
• Sena
  Kanji: 瀬奈
  Pronunciation: seh-nah
  Meaning: “Ripple stream” 
• Rumi
  Kanji: 瑠海
  Pronunciation: roo-mee
  Meaning: “Lapis sea” / “crystal water”

Water-Inspired Names from Japanese Mythology and Folklore

• Suijin
  Kanji: 水神
  Pronunciation: soo-ee-jeen
  Meaning: “Water god” / “god of water” 
• Ryujin
  Kanji: 龍神
  Pronunciation: ryoo-jeen
  Meaning: “Dragon god” / “sea deity” 
• Toyotama
  Kanji: 豊玉
  Pronunciation: toh-yoh-tah-mah
  Meaning: “Luminous jewel” / daughter of the sea god 
• Watatsumi
  Kanji: 海神
  Pronunciation: wah-tah-tsoo-mee
  Meaning: “God of the sea” 
• Owatatsumi
  Kanji: 大綿津見
  Pronunciation: oh-wah-tah-tsoo-mee
  Meaning: “Great sea god” 
• Mizuhame
  Kanji: 水波女
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-hah-meh
  Meaning: “Goddess of water waves” 
• Hayaakitsuhi
  Kanji: 速秋津日子
  Pronunciation: hah-yah-ah-kee-tsoo-hee-koh
  Meaning: “Swift water deity (male)” 
• Hayaakitsuhime
  Kanji: 速秋津比売
  Pronunciation: hah-yah-ah-kee-tsoo-hee-meh
  Meaning: “Swift water deity (female)” 
• Seiryu
  Kanji: 青龍
  Pronunciation: seh-ee-ryoo
  Meaning: “Azure Dragon” / “spirit of the east seas” 
• Namazu
  Kanji: 鯰
  Pronunciation: nah-mah-zoo
  Meaning: “Giant catfish spirit that causes earthquakes in water” 
• Benten
  Kanji: 弁天 / 弁才天
  Pronunciation: ben-ten
  Meaning: “Goddess of water, art, and music” 
• Sumiyoshi
  Kanji: 住吉
  Pronunciation: soo-mee-yoh-shee
  Meaning: “Guardian of sailors” / “sea deity trio” 
• Enoshima
  Kanji: 江ノ島
  Pronunciation: eh-noh-shee-mah
  Meaning: “Island dedicated to water goddess Benzaiten” 
• Hinokami
  Kanji: 火の神
  Pronunciation: hee-noh-kah-mee
  Meaning: “Fire god” (balances water deities) 
• Kuraokami
  Kanji: 闇龗
  Pronunciation: koo-rah-oh-kah-mee
  Meaning: “Dragon god of rain and snow” 
• Kawako
  Kanji: 河童 / 川子
  Pronunciation: kah-wah-koh
  Meaning: “River child” / “kappa water spirit” 
• Suiryu
  Kanji: 水龍
  Pronunciation: soo-ee-ryoo
  Meaning: “Water dragon” 
• Takitsuhime
  Kanji: 瀧津姫
  Pronunciation: tah-kee-tsoo-hee-meh
  Meaning: “Waterfall princess” 
• Mizuchi
  Kanji: 蛟
  Pronunciation: mee-zoo-chee
  Meaning: “Serpent-like water spirit” 
• Ameonna
  Kanji: 雨女
  Pronunciation: ah-meh-oh-nah
  Meaning: “Rain woman” / “female rain spirit” 
• Amefuri
  Kanji: 雨降
  Pronunciation: ah-meh-foo-ree
  Meaning: “Rainfall” (spirit of falling rain) 
• Ukihashi
  Kanji: 浮橋
  Pronunciation: oo-kee-hah-shee
  Meaning: “Floating bridge (of heaven)” 
• Fujinami
  Kanji: 藤波
  Pronunciation: foo-jee-nah-mee
  Meaning: “Wave of wisteria” (poetic water wave) 
• Shio
  Kanji: 潮
  Pronunciation: shee-oh
  Meaning: “Tide” / “sea current” 
• Izanami
  Kanji: 伊邪那美
  Pronunciation: ee-zah-nah-mee
  Meaning: “She who invites” (goddess connected with creation and sea)

Tips For Choosing the Perfect Water-Inspired Japanese Name 

• Understand the Elemental Symbolism – Before choosing, learn what aspect of water resonates most with you because each Japanese name carries specific imagery 
• Pay Attention to Kanji Meaning – In Japanese, the same pronunciation can have multiple kanji with very different meanings. For example, “Mizuki” could mean beautiful water (瑞希) or moon beauty (美月). 
• Explore Mythological and Nature Connections – Water deities and folklore-inspired names like “Ryujin (龍神)” or “Suiren (水蓮)” hold deep spiritual and cultural significance. If you value tradition or spirituality, look for names tied to Japan’s mythology, rivers, oceans, or rain spirits for a timeless, symbolic touch. 
• Choose a Name with a Flowing Sound – Names inspired by water often sound melodic and fluid. Soft syllables like “mi,” “na,” “ri,” or “su” create a gentle rhythm. 
• Match Meaning with Personality and Future – Think about what qualities you want the name to express. A name like “Nami (波)” suits someone gentle yet strong, while “Kaito (海翔)” represents adventure and boundless dreams.

Conclusion

Choosing a Japanese name that means “water” is more than just selecting a beautiful word, it’s about embracing a symbol of purity, balance, and life. Water has always played a sacred role in Japanese culture, representing renewal, flow, and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to the peaceful grace of “Suiren (水蓮)”, the strength of “Taiga (大河)”, or the mystic energy of “Ryujin (龍神)”, every name tells a story of nature’s harmony and strength.