Japanese names starting with K
150 Japanese girl and boy names that start with K, grouped by their first sound, with kanji, meanings and popularity.
K is one of the biggest letters in Japanese names. Ka-, Ki-, Ko- and Ke- give hundreds of names, from classics like Kazuko and Kenji to modern ones like Kaito, Kanon and Kohaku.
Ka- names in particular are often written with 花 (flower), 華 (splendour) or 和 (harmony).
Across all 150 names, the kanji that most often begin a K name are 和 (harmony), 一 (one), 勝 (victory).
On this page
Names starting with Ka-
68 names. Ka- is most often written 和 (harmony), 一 (one), 勝 (victory).
Names starting with Ko-
31 names. Ko- is most often written 心 (heart), 幸 (happiness), 耕 (to cultivate).
Names starting with Ke-
25 names. Ke- is most often written 健 (healthy), 圭 (jade tablet), 啓 (to open).
Names starting with Ki-
14 names. Ki- is most often written 清 (pure), 紀 (chronicle), 喜 (joy).
Names starting with Ku-
8 names. Ku- is most often written 邦 (country), 久 (long time), 公 (public).
Names starting with Kyo-
4 names. Kyo- is most often written 京 (capital), 恭 (respectful), 匡 (to correct).
How K names are written
Japanese names are chosen for their kanji as much as their sound. These are the kanji that most often begin a K name, counting every spelling on this page. 50 of these names are popular today, and 17 are classics from before 1990.
| Kanji | Meaning | Spellings |
|---|---|---|
| 和 | harmony, peace | 49 |
| 一 | one, first | 37 |
| 勝 | victory | 22 |
| 健 | healthy, strong | 21 |
| 圭 | jade tablet | 20 |
| 克 | to overcome | 20 |
| 心 | heart, mind | 18 |
| 啓 | to open, enlighten | 14 |
Questions
What is a popular Japanese girl name starting with K?
Koharu (心春) is one of the best-known: 心 heart + 春 spring. Popular now · best No. 4.
What is a popular Japanese boy name starting with K?
Kenta (健太) is one of the best-known: 健 healthy + 太 big. Popular now · best No. 1.
Which K names sound old-fashioned in Japan?
Names that were popular before 1990 and have since dropped out of the rankings, such as Kiyoshi, Kazuko, Keiko, Kumiko, now sound like names of parents and grandparents.