Discover the Best Japanese Names That Start with M 2025

Mysterious, melodic, and meaningful—Japanese names that start with M carry deep cultural significance. Whether you’re exploring baby names, character names, or historical references, these names offer a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Many Japanese names start with M, each holding a distinct meaning shaped by kanji characters, making them both beautiful and symbolic.

From classic to contemporary, Japanese names start with M often reflect nature, virtues, and powerful emotions. They can be short and simple or intricate and poetic, fitting various personal and cultural preferences. Understanding their meanings helps in choosing a name that aligns with identity, values, and heritage.

In Japanese culture, names are more than just labels—they carry stories, aspirations, and a connection to history. Whether you’re researching for personal use or creative projects, exploring these names reveals a fascinating aspect of Japanese linguistics. With a wide range of options, each name presents a different nuance, reflecting the depth of Japanese naming traditions.

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If you’re searching for meaningful names that stand out, this article will offer a wealth of inspiration. Explore their origins, meanings, and cultural significance to find the perfect fit.

Japanese Names That Start with M Ideas

Japanese names that start with M are rich in meaning and tradition, making them a great choice for various purposes. Whether you’re looking for a classic, modern, or unique name, each one carries a special significance. Below is a complete list—explore and find your favorite!

40 Unique Japanese Names that Start with M

This collection features rare and distinctive Japanese names that begin with M. Each name carries a deep meaning, making it special and memorable.

Maika (舞花) – Dancing flower – Ma-ee-ka
Masane (正音) – True sound – Ma-sa-ne
Miyora (美世良) – Beautiful world’s goodness – Mee-yo-ra
Minoru (実) – To bear fruit – Mee-no-ru
Mizuna (瑞菜) – Auspicious greens – Mee-zoo-na
Mitori (美鳥) – Beautiful bird – Mee-to-ree
Maieno (前乃) – Forward and destined – Ma-ee-no
Mibuya (美舞夜) – Graceful night dance – Mee-boo-ya
Meguru (巡) – To cycle, revolve – Meh-goo-roo
Masayo (正代) – Righteous era – Ma-sa-yo
Momota (百多) – Hundredfold abundance – Mo-mo-ta
Morie (森恵) – Forest’s blessing – Mo-ree-eh
Misane (美紗音) – Beautiful gauze sound – Mee-sa-ne
Mifuyu (美冬) – Beautiful winter – Mee-foo-yoo
Makoto (誠) – Sincerity, truth – Ma-ko-to
Momiji (紅葉) – Autumn leaves – Mo-mee-jee
Miwako (美和子) – Child of beauty and harmony – Mee-wa-ko
Masaru (勝) – Victory, excellence – Ma-sa-ru
Mihana (美花) – Beautiful flower – Mee-ha-na
Momone (桃音) – Peach sound – Mo-mo-ne
Mokuto (黙翔) – Silent flight – Mo-ku-to
Michiru (満) – Fullness, to be complete – Mee-chee-roo
Misae (美冴) – Clear beauty – Mee-sa-eh
Masuki (真月) – True moon – Ma-soo-kee
Minoe (美乃絵) – Picture of beauty – Mee-no-eh
Meguna (恵奈) – Blessed grace – Meh-goo-na
Musashi (武蔵) – Military storehouse – Moo-sa-shee
Meiyu (明悠) – Bright and distant – Meh-yoo
Mayuto (真優翔) – True gentle flight – Ma-yoo-to
Mokume (木目) – Wood grain – Mo-ku-me
Mifune (美船) – Beautiful ship – Mee-foo-ne
Mitora (美虎) – Beautiful tiger – Mee-to-ra
Minagi (水凪) – Calm waters – Mee-na-gi
Mayano (真夜乃) – True night’s destiny – Ma-ya-no
Mebuki (芽吹) – Sprouting growth – Meh-boo-kee
Morika (森香) – Fragrance of the forest – Mo-ree-ka
Matsue (松恵) – Pine tree blessing – Ma-tsu-eh
Mizuto (水翔) – Water flight – Mee-zoo-to
Miyoji (美世司) – Ruler of a beautiful world – Mee-yo-jee

Check out our collection of 4 letter japanese names for more information and inspiration.

30 Popular Japanese Names that Start with M

These are the most commonly used and well-loved Japanese names starting with M. They are widely recognized and cherished in Japanese culture.

Mei (芽衣) – Sprouting garment – Meh-ee
Miku (未来) – Future – Mee-koo
Masaru (勝) – Victory – Ma-sa-roo
Miyuki (美幸) – Beautiful happiness – Mee-yoo-kee
Minato (湊) – Harbor – Mee-na-to
Mana (愛菜) – Love and greens – Ma-na
Mao (真央) – True center – Ma-oh
Momoka (桃花) – Peach blossom – Mo-mo-ka
Mitsuki (美月) – Beautiful moon – Mee-tsu-kee
Mako (真子) – True child – Ma-ko
Misaki (美咲) – Beautiful blossom – Mee-sa-kee
Mariko (真理子) – Child of truth – Ma-ree-ko
Megumi (恵) – Blessing – Meh-goo-mee
Makoto (誠) – Sincerity – Ma-ko-to
Masaki (正樹) – Righteous tree – Ma-sa-kee
Michiko (美智子) – Child of beauty and wisdom – Mee-chee-ko
Manami (愛美) – Love and beauty – Ma-na-mee
Minori (実里) – Fruitful village – Mee-no-ree
Momoe (百恵) – Hundred blessings – Mo-mo-eh
Mayumi (真弓) – True bow – Ma-yoo-mee
Masahiro (正弘) – Broad righteousness – Ma-sa-hee-ro
Mitsuhiro (光宏) – Vast light – Mee-tsu-hee-ro
Mikako (美香子) – Fragrant beauty child – Mee-ka-ko
Mirai (未来) – Future – Mee-rai
Midori (緑) – Greenery – Mee-do-ree
Masato (正人) – Righteous person – Ma-sa-to
Miho (美保) – Beautiful protection – Mee-ho
Mamoru (守) – Protection – Ma-mo-roo
Miori (美織) – Beautiful weave – Mee-o-ree
Masumi (真澄) – Pure clarity – Ma-soo-mee

45 Japanese Girl Names that Start with M

A curated list of beautiful and meaningful names for girls, all starting with M. These names reflect grace, elegance, and tradition.

Mami (真美) – True beauty – Ma-mee
Mitsuha (光葉) – Shining leaf – Mee-tsu-ha
Mai (舞) – Dance – Ma-ee
Mika (美佳) – Beautiful excellence – Mee-ka
Miyu (美優) – Gentle beauty – Mee-yoo
Moe (萌) – Budding – Mo-eh
Maru (丸) – Perfection – Ma-roo
Momiji (紅葉) – Autumn leaves – Mo-mee-jee
Misora (美空) – Beautiful sky – Mee-so-ra
Maki (真希) – True hope – Ma-kee
Maho (真帆) – True sail – Ma-ho
Mikasa (美笠) – Beautiful bamboo hat – Mee-ka-sa
Miruko (美瑠子) – Precious child – Mee-roo-ko
Mayuko (真由子) – True reason child – Ma-yoo-ko
Manaka (真中) – True center – Ma-na-ka
Mahiru (真昼) – Midday – Ma-hee-roo
Mikasa (美香紗) – Fragrant gauze – Mee-ka-sa
Mizuki (美月) – Beautiful moon – Mee-zoo-kee
Maiko (舞子) – Dancing child – Ma-ee-ko
Momoe (桃恵) – Peach blessing – Mo-mo-eh
Mion (美音) – Beautiful sound – Mee-on
Mihana (美華) – Beautiful splendor – Mee-ha-na
Misa (美紗) – Beautiful silk – Mee-sa
Mitsuyo (光世) – Shining world – Mee-tsu-yo
Meika (明花) – Bright flower – Meh-ee-ka
Mayura (真由良) – True gentle goodness – Ma-yoo-ra
Megumi (恵) – Blessing – Meh-goo-mee
Mikoto (命) – Life, command – Mee-ko-to
Mito (美翔) – Beautiful flight – Mee-to
Minayo (美奈代) – Beautiful and everlasting – Mee-na-yo

40 Japanese Boy Names that Start with M

Strong, classic, and modern boy names beginning with M. These names symbolize qualities like strength, wisdom, and kindness.

Masaru (勝) – Victory – Ma-sa-ru
Makoto (誠) – Sincerity, truth – Ma-ko-to
Minato (湊) – Harbor – Mee-na-to
Masahiro (正弘) – Righteous broadness – Ma-sa-hee-ro
Mitsuo (光雄) – Shining hero – Mee-tsoo-o
Mamoru (守) – Protection – Ma-mo-roo
Masaki (正樹) – Righteous tree – Ma-sa-kee
Michio (道夫) – Man of the road – Mee-chee-o
Mitsuru (満) – Full, satisfied – Mee-tsoo-roo
Masato (正人) – Righteous person – Ma-sa-to
Masanori (正則) – Lawful righteousness – Ma-sa-no-ree
Morihiro (守宏) – Broad protector – Mo-ree-hee-ro
Masafumi (正史) – Righteous history – Ma-sa-foo-mee
Masashi (雅志) – Elegant will – Ma-sa-shee
Minoru (実) – To bear fruit – Mee-no-roo
Michitaka (道高) – High path – Mee-chee-ta-ka
Motoki (元樹) – Original tree – Mo-to-kee
Masamune (正宗) – Righteous clan – Ma-sa-moo-ne
Mitsuyoshi (光義) – Righteous light – Mee-tsoo-yo-shee
Masahito (正仁) – Righteous benevolence – Ma-sa-hee-to
Mitsutaka (光貴) – Precious light – Mee-tsoo-ta-ka
Makunari (誠成) – Honest growth – Ma-koo-na-ree
Masanobu (正信) – Righteous faith – Ma-sa-no-boo
Motohiro (基弘) – Broad foundation – Mo-to-hee-ro
Michinobu (道信) – Faithful path – Mee-chee-no-boo
Moritaka (森隆) – Tall forest – Mo-ree-ta-ka
Masaomi (正臣) – Loyal righteousness – Ma-sa-o-mee
Mitsuyuki (光幸) – Shining happiness – Mee-tsoo-yoo-kee
Masakazu (正一) – First righteousness – Ma-sa-ka-zoo
Moriyasu (守康) – Peaceful protector – Mo-ree-ya-soo
Makihiro (槙宏) – Grand cedar – Ma-kee-hee-ro
Minemitsu (峰光) – Light of the peak – Mee-ne-mit-soo
Masamori (正守) – Righteous guardian – Ma-sa-mo-ree
Mitsufumi (光文) – Illuminating writing – Mee-tsoo-foo-mee
Masatsugu (正嗣) – Righteous heir – Ma-sa-tsoo-goo
Morikazu (森一) – One forest – Mo-ree-ka-zoo
Mitsuteru (光照) – Shining radiance – Mee-tsoo-te-roo
Masayori (正頼) – Trustworthy righteousness – Ma-sa-yo-ree
Masahide (正秀) – Outstanding righteousness – Ma-sa-hee-de

Browse through our selection of 3 letter japanese names to find the perfect fit for your group.

30 Gender-Neutral Japanese Names that Start with M

A versatile collection of unisex names that work well for any gender. These names are carefully selected for their balance and broad appeal.

Michi (道) – Pathway – Mee-chee
Makoto (誠) – Sincerity, truth – Ma-ko-to
Mizuki (瑞希) – Auspicious hope – Mee-zoo-kee
Mizuho (瑞穂) – Abundant harvest – Mee-zoo-ho
Masumi (真澄) – Pure clarity – Ma-soo-mee
Miu (美羽) – Beautiful wings – Mee-oo
Midori (緑) – Greenery – Mee-do-ree
Misa (美紗) – Beautiful silk – Mee-sa
Miyu (美優) – Gentle beauty – Mee-yoo
Mai (舞) – Dance – Ma-ee
Misora (美空) – Beautiful sky – Mee-so-ra
Mikado (帝) – Emperor, royalty – Mee-ka-do
Momoe (百恵) – Hundred blessings – Mo-mo-eh
Miho (美保) – Beautiful protection – Mee-ho
Minori (実里) – Truthful village – Mee-no-ree
Mifu (美風) – Beautiful wind – Mee-foo
Michiru (満) – Full, complete – Mee-chee-roo
Moriko (森子) – Child of the forest – Mo-ree-ko
Miyori (美依) – Beautiful reliance – Mee-yo-ree
Masaya (雅也) – Gracious being – Ma-sa-ya
Mei (芽衣) – Sprouting garment – Meh-ee
Masaki (正希) – Righteous hope – Ma-sa-kee
Mayu (繭) – Cocoon – Ma-yoo
Mitsue (光恵) – Blessed light – Mee-tsoo-eh
Maki (槙) – True timber tree – Ma-kee
Mikoto (命) – Life, command – Mee-ko-to
Minoe (美乃絵) – Beautiful painting – Mee-no-eh
Masato (正翔) – Righteous flight – Ma-sa-to
Mikasa (美笠) – Beautiful hat – Mee-ka-sa
Momiji (紅葉) – Autumn leaves – Mo-mee-jee

25 Japanese First Names that Start with M

Traditional and modern first names starting with M, used widely in Japan. Each name carries cultural significance and unique charm.

Mako (真子) – True child – Ma-ko
Masaru (勝) – Victory – Ma-sa-ru
Miyuki (美幸) – Beautiful happiness – Mee-yoo-kee
Minato (湊) – Harbor – Mee-na-to
Mao (真央) – True center – Ma-o
Momoe (百恵) – Hundred blessings – Mo-mo-eh
Mayumi (真弓) – True bow – Ma-yoo-mee
Masato (正人) – Righteous person – Ma-sa-to
Miku (未来) – Future – Mee-koo
Masahiro (正弘) – Broad righteousness – Ma-sa-hee-ro
Miori (美織) – Beautiful weave – Mee-o-ree
Mitsuki (美月) – Beautiful moon – Mee-tsoo-kee
Masaki (正樹) – Righteous tree – Ma-sa-kee
Mariko (真理子) – Child of truth – Ma-ree-ko
Michiko (美智子) – Child of wisdom and beauty – Mee-chee-ko
Minoru (実) – To bear fruit – Mee-no-roo
Midori (緑) – Greenery – Mee-do-ree
Megumi (恵) – Blessing – Meh-goo-mee
Mamoru (守) – Protection – Ma-mo-roo
Misaki (美咲) – Beautiful bloom – Mee-sa-kee
Mai (舞) – Dance – Ma-ee
Motoko (素子) – Pure child – Mo-to-ko
Masumi (真澄) – Pure clarity – Ma-soo-mee
Mitsue (光恵) – Blessed light – Mee-tsoo-eh
Minayo (美奈代) – Everlasting beauty – Mee-na-yo

35 Japanese Last Names that Start with M

A selection of common and rare Japanese surnames beginning with M. These names hold historical and familial significance.

Maeda (前田) – Front rice field – Ma-eh-da
Makino (牧野) – Pasture field – Ma-kee-no
Matsuda (松田) – Pine rice field – Ma-tsu-da
Matsuo (松尾) – Pine tail – Ma-tsu-o
Matsumoto (松本) – Base of the pine tree – Ma-tsu-mo-to
Matsushima (松島) – Pine island – Ma-tsu-shee-ma
Matsunaga (松永) – Eternal pine – Ma-tsu-na-ga
Maekawa (前川) – Front river – Ma-eh-ka-wa
Mihara (三原) – Three fields – Mee-ha-ra
Minegishi (峰岸) – Mountain ridge shore – Mee-neh-gee-shee
Mito (水戸) – Water gate – Mee-to
Morikawa (森川) – Forest river – Mo-ree-ka-wa
Morimoto (森本) – Forest origin – Mo-ree-mo-to
Morishita (森下) – Below the forest – Mo-ree-shee-ta
Mizutani (水谷) – Water valley – Mee-zoo-ta-nee
Mizuno (水野) – Field of water – Mee-zoo-no
Mochizuki (望月) – Full moon – Mo-chee-zoo-kee
Murasaki (紫) – Purple – Moo-ra-sa-kee
Mikami (三上) – Three above – Mee-ka-mee
Mikado (帝) – Emperor – Mee-ka-do
Murakawa (村川) – Village river – Moo-ra-ka-wa
Murata (村田) – Village rice field – Moo-ra-ta
Murayama (村山) – Village mountain – Moo-ra-ya-ma
Muroi (室井) – House well – Moo-ro-ee
Miyake (三宅) – Three houses – Mee-ya-ke
Miyazawa (宮沢) – Shrine swamp – Mee-ya-za-wa
Miyashita (宮下) – Below the shrine – Mee-ya-shee-ta
Miyamoto (宮本) – Origin of the shrine – Mee-ya-mo-to
Miyanaga (宮永) – Eternal shrine – Mee-ya-na-ga
Morofuji (諸藤) – Various wisterias – Mo-ro-foo-jee
Murakami (村上) – Upper village – Moo-ra-ka-mee
Mikawa (三河) – Three rivers – Mee-ka-wa
Mizuishi (水石) – Water stone – Mee-zoo-ee-shee
Minase (水瀬) – Swift current – Mee-na-se

Find a variety of Japanese names that start with k that could be just what you’re looking for.

30 Japanese Cat Names that Start with M

Cute and fitting Japanese names that start with M for your feline friend, inspired by Japanese culture. Each name is playful, meaningful, and perfect for a cat.

Momo (桃) – Peach – Mo-mo
Maru (丸) – Round – Ma-roo
Mikan (蜜柑) – Mandarin orange – Mee-kan
Mitsu (光) – Light – Mee-tsoo
Miu (美羽) – Beautiful feather – Mee-oo
Mame (豆) – Bean – Ma-meh
Mika (美香) – Beautiful fragrance – Mee-ka
Miso (味噌) – Miso soup – Mee-so
Mofu (モフ) – Fluffy – Mo-foo
Momiji (紅葉) – Autumn leaves – Mo-mee-jee
Makoto (誠) – Sincere – Ma-ko-to
Miki (美樹) – Beautiful tree – Mee-kee
Mei (芽衣) – Sprout garment – Meh-ee
Minori (実り) – Harvest – Mee-no-ree
Miko (巫女) – Shrine maiden – Mee-ko
Moku (木) – Tree – Mo-koo
Mashi (真志) – True will – Ma-shee
Miyu (美優) – Graceful beauty – Mee-yoo
Masaru (勝) – Victory – Ma-sa-ru
Moro (諸) – Various – Mo-ro
Minto (ミント) – Mint – Meen-to
Muji (無地) – Plain, simple – Moo-jee
Marimo (毬藻) – Aquatic plant – Ma-ree-mo
Mebuki (芽吹) – Budding – Meh-boo-kee
Mahiru (真昼) – Midday – Ma-hee-roo
Mifuyu (美冬) – Beautiful winter – Mee-foo-yoo
Manju (饅頭) – Sweet bun – Man-joo
Mayonaka (真夜中) – Midnight – Ma-yo-na-ka
Mashiro (真白) – Pure white – Ma-shee-ro
Mameko (豆子) – Little bean – Ma-me-ko