Names carry meaning, identity, and culture all at once. Japanese names are especially beautiful because each one is carefully chosen based on its meaning and the characters used to write it. Japanese names that start with “S” are particularly popular in Japan, covering a wide range of sounds and styles. Whether you’re expecting a baby or simply curious, this list has something special for everyone.
In this article, we’ve gathered 415 Japanese names that start with the letter “S”— for boys, girls, and those that work for any gender. Each name comes with its meaning so you can understand the story behind it. Some names feel strong and bold, while others sound soft and poetic. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find a name here that feels just right.
Japanese Names Starting With S and Meanings Japanese names that start with S are some of the most common and loved names in Japan. The “S” sound appears in many Japanese syllables like Sa, Si, Su, Se, and So, which gives a lot of room for beautiful name combinations.
Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sakura 桜 Sah-koo-rah Cherry blossom Satoshi 聡 Sah-toh-shee Wise, quick learner Shiori 栞 Shee-oh-ree Bookmark, poem Sora 空 Soh-rah Sky Sumire 菫 Soo-mee-reh Violet flower Shun 駿 Shoon Fast, talented Sota 颯太 Soh-tah Big and swift Saki 咲 Sah-kee Blooming Shinji 真二 Sheen-jee True second son Sachiko 幸子 Sah-chee-koh Happy child Shizuka 静香 Shee-zoo-kah Quiet fragrance Setsuna 刹那 Seh-tsoo-nah Brief moment Sosuke 宗介 Soh-soo-keh Respected helper Suzu 鈴 Soo-zoo Bell Sachi 幸 Sah-chee Happiness Shohei 翔平 Shoh-hay Soaring, calm Sena 世菜 Seh-nah World greens Sanae 早苗 Sah-nah-eh Early rice seedling Shintaro 新太郎 Sheen-tah-roh New big son Satsuki 五月 Sah-tsoo-kee May month
Read: Japanese Names Meaning Night
Japanese Boy Names That Start With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Satoshi 聡 Sah-toh-shee Wise, quick learner Shinji 真二 Shin-jee True second son Sora 空 Soh-rah Sky Sota 颯太 Soh-tah Big and swift Shun 駿 Shoon Fast, talented Seiichi 誠一 Say-ee-chee First honest son Saburo 三郎 Sah-boo-roh Third son Susumu 進 Soo-soo-moo To advance Shota 翔太 Shoh-tah Soaring, big Shuichi 修一 Shoo-ee-chee First disciplined son Sho 翔 Shoh Soar, fly Sunao 素直 Soo-nah-oh Honest, gentle Seiji 誠司 Say-jee Honest governor Shinichi 真一 Sheen-ee-chee First true son Soichiro 宗一郎 Soh-ee-chee-roh Respected first son Shingo 真吾 Sheen-goh My true self Shunsuke 俊介 Shoon-soo-keh Talented helper Shigeharu 重春 Shee-geh-hah-roo Heavy spring Sokichi 素吉 Soh-kee-chee Simple good luck Shuzo 修三 Shoo-zoh Disciplined third son Shotaro 正太郎 Shoh-tah-roh Righteous big son Satoru 悟 Sah-toh-roo Enlightened Shinya 真也 Sheen-yah True self Seishiro 誠四郎 Say-shee-roh Honest fourth son Soji 宗二 Soh-jee Second respected son Sueo 末雄 Soo-eh-oh Last hero Shohei 翔平 Shoh-hay Soaring, calm Seiho 誠宝 Say-hoh Honest treasure Setsuo 節雄 Seh-tsoo-oh Seasonal hero Shinnosuke 真之助 Sheen-noh-soo-keh True helpful son Sosuke 宗介 Soh-soo-keh Respected helper Shunsaku 俊作 Shoon-sah-koo Talented creator Sanosuke 三之助 Sah-noh-soo-keh Third helpful son Seiko 誠幸 Say-koh Honest happiness Shohachi 正八 Shoh-hah-chee Righteous eighth Sanjiro 三次郎 Sahn-jee-roh Third helpful son Sakuichi 作一 Sah-koo-ee-chee First creative son Shuji 修二 Shoo-jee Disciplined second Soroku 惣六 Soh-roh-koo All sixth son Seita 誠太 Say-tah Honest big son Shuichi 秀一 Shoo-ee-chee Excellent first son Shunpei 俊平 Shoon-pay Talented and calm Soken 宗賢 Soh-ken Respected wisdom Seitaro 誠太郎 Say-tah-roh Honest big son Soran 空嵐 Soh-rahn Sky storm Shusaku 修作 Shoo-sah-koo Disciplined creator Shuma 朱馬 Shoo-mah Red horse Shinkichi 真吉 Sheen-kee-chee True good luck Soji 掃二 Soh-jee Sweeping second Sowa 爽和 Soh-wah Fresh harmony Suichi 穂一 Soo-ee-chee First grain son Shinpei 真平 Sheen-pay True and calm Soshiro 宗四郎 Soh-shee-roh Fourth respected son Soya 蒼矢 Soh-yah Blue arrow Sakishima 崎島 Sah-kee-shee-mah Cape island Shugo 守護 Shoo-goh Guardian Seisho 誠昭 Say-shoh Honest brightness Sumito 澄人 Soo-mee-toh Clear person Sohachi 宗八 Soh-hah-chee Respected eighth Seiryu 青龍 Say-ryoo Blue dragon Sousei 双星 Soh-say Twin stars Shintaro 新太郎 Sheen-tah-roh New big son
Japanese Girl Names That Start With S Japanese Girl Names That Start With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sakura 桜 Sah-koo-rah Cherry blossom Sayuri 小百合 Sah-yoo-ree Small lily Sumire 菫 Soo-mee-reh Violet flower Shiori 栞 Shee-oh-ree Bookmark, poem Saki 咲 Sah-kee Blooming Sana 咲菜 Sah-nah Blooming vegetable Suzume 雀 Soo-zoo-meh Sparrow Sachiko 幸子 Sah-chee-koh Happy child Seina 聖菜 Say-nah Holy vegetable Shizuka 静香 Shee-zoo-kah Quiet fragrance Setsuko 節子 Seh-tsoo-koh Seasonal child Suzu 鈴 Soo-zoo Bell Sanae 早苗 Sah-nah-eh Early rice plant Sonoko 園子 Soh-noh-koh Garden child Sawako 沢子 Sah-wah-koh Swamp child Shino 篠 Shee-noh Bamboo grass Sayo 小夜 Sah-yoh Small night Sena 世菜 Seh-nah World vegetable Shizue 静枝 Shee-zoo-eh Quiet branch Sumiko 澄子 Soo-mee-koh Clear child Sakiho 咲穂 Sah-kee-hoh Blooming grain Saori 沙織 Sah-oh-ree Sandy weave Sumiyo 澄代 Soo-mee-yoh Clear generation Shizuyo 静代 Shee-zoo-yoh Quiet generation Sonoe 園恵 Soh-noh-eh Garden blessing Setsu 節 Seh-tsoo Season, node Sueko 末子 Soo-eh-koh Last child Sakiko 咲子 Sah-kee-koh Blooming child Shiho 志保 Shee-hoh Aspiring protection Sae 冴 Sah-eh Clear, bright Sayako 佐和子 Sah-yah-koh Helpful harmony child Shoko 祥子 Shoh-koh Lucky child Setsuna 刹那 Seh-tsoo-nah A brief moment Suzuko 鈴子 Soo-zoo-koh Bell child Sumiho 澄穂 Soo-mee-hoh Clear grain Sayori 小夜里 Sah-yoh-ree Small night village Sachie 幸恵 Sah-chee-eh Happy blessing Shigemi 茂美 Shee-geh-mee Lush beauty Sakae 栄 Sah-kah-eh Prosperity Sadako 貞子 Sah-dah-koh Chaste child Shinobu 忍 Shee-noh-boo Endurance Satoe 里恵 Sah-toh-eh Village blessing Sorie 空恵 Soh-ree-eh Sky blessing Suzuna 鈴菜 Soo-zoo-nah Bell vegetable Saeko 冴子 Sah-eh-koh Bright child Seira 聖良 Say-rah Holy and good Sashiko 刺子 Sah-shee-koh Stitched child Sawana 沢菜 Sah-wah-nah Swamp vegetable Shizuna 静菜 Shee-zoo-nah Quiet vegetable Sukina 好菜 Soo-kee-nah Favorite vegetable Sorie 空江 Soh-ree-eh Sky river Saika 彩花 Sah-ee-kah Colorful flower Sakiyo 咲代 Sah-kee-yoh Blooming generation Satsuki 五月 Sah-tsoo-kee May month Shigeko 重子 Shee-geh-koh Heavy child Seika 聖花 Say-kah Holy flower Shirabe 調 Shee-rah-beh Melody Sumika 澄花 Soo-mee-kah Clear flower Sakiha 咲羽 Sah-kee-hah Blooming feather Sotoka 空花 Soh-toh-kah Sky flower Sumiaka 澄明 Soo-mee-ah-kah Clear brightness
Japanese Unisex Names That Start With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sora 空 Soh-rah Sky Shio 潮 Shee-oh Tide Sachi 幸 Sah-chee Happiness Seri 芹 Seh-ree Water parsley Shu 朱 Shoo Red, vermillion Suzu 鈴 Soo-zoo Bell Shiori 栞 Shee-oh-ree Bookmark Sai 才 Sah-ee Talent Sen 千 Sehn Thousand Sue 末 Soo-eh End, last Seki 関 Seh-kee Barrier Sumi 澄 Soo-mee Clear Shiro 白 Shee-roh White Shige 茂 Shee-geh Lush growth Sane 実 Sah-neh Truth, reality Sato 里 Sah-toh Village Sawa 沢 Sah-wah Swamp, marsh Sono 園 Soh-noh Garden Sou 宗 Soh Respected Sae 冴 Sah-eh Clear, bright
For more Japanese names and their origins, visit Behind the Name , a trusted global name database.
Japanese Names That Start With Sa Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Saburo 三郎 Sah-boo-roh Third son Sadao 貞雄 Sah-dah-oh Chaste hero Saeko 冴子 Sah-eh-koh Bright child Saemi 冴美 Sah-eh-mee Bright beauty Saito 斎藤 Sah-ee-toh Purified wisteria Sakae 栄 Sah-kah-eh Prosperity Sakiho 咲穂 Sah-kee-hoh Blooming grain Sakura 桜 Sah-koo-rah Cherry blossom Sakurako 桜子 Sah-koo-rah-koh Cherry blossom child Sanae 早苗 Sah-nah-eh Early rice seedling Sana 咲菜 Sah-nah Blooming greens Sanosuke 三之助 Sah-noh-soo-keh Third helpful son Saori 沙織 Sah-oh-ree Sandy weaving Sarasa 更紗 Sah-rah-sah Printed cotton cloth Sato 里 Sah-toh Village Satoe 里恵 Sah-toh-eh Village blessing Satomi 里美 Sah-toh-mee Village beauty Satoru 悟 Sah-toh-roo Enlightenment Satoshi 聡 Sah-toh-shee Wisdom Sawako 沢子 Sah-wah-koh Marsh child Sawana 沢菜 Sah-wah-nah Marsh greens Sayaka 清花 Sah-yah-kah Clear flower Sayori 小夜里 Sah-yoh-ree Small night village Sayuri 小百合 Sah-yoo-ree Small lily Saya 沙弥 Sah-yah Sandy novice
Japanese Names That Start With San Japanese Names That Start With San Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sana 咲菜 Sah-nah Blooming greens Sanae 早苗 Sah-nah-eh Early rice seedling Sanji 三児 Sahn-jee Third child Sanjiro 三次郎 Sahn-jee-roh Third helpful son Sannosuke 三之助 Sahn-noh-soo-keh Third helper Sanpei 三平 Sahn-pay Calm third son Santa 三太 Sahn-tah Third big son Santo 三人 Sahn-toh Three people Sanzo 三蔵 Sahn-zoh Three storages Saneo 実雄 Sah-neh-oh Real hero
Read: Japanese Names That Start With J
Japanese Last Names Starting With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sato 佐藤 Sah-toh Help wisteria Suzuki 鈴木 Soo-zoo-kee Bell tree Sasaki 佐々木 Sah-sah-kee Assistant tree Shimizu 清水 Shee-mee-zoo Clear water Saito 斎藤 Sah-ee-toh Purified wisteria Sakamoto 坂本 Sah-kah-moh-toh Base of slope Sugiyama 杉山 Soo-gee-yah-mah Cedar mountain Shibata 柴田 Shee-bah-tah Brushwood field Shimada 島田 Shee-mah-dah Island rice field Sugawara 菅原 Soo-gah-wah-rah Sedge plain Sakurai 桜井 Sah-koo-rah-ee Cherry blossom well Someya 染谷 Soh-meh-yah Dye valley Shiraishi 白石 Shee-rah-ee-shee White stone Sano 佐野 Sah-noh Helper field Segawa 瀬川 Seh-gah-wah Ripple river Sawada 沢田 Sah-wah-dah Marsh rice field Sudo 須藤 Soo-doh Needed wisteria Shirai 白井 Shee-rah-ee White well Shiomura 塩村 Shee-oh-moo-rah Salt village Shinoda 篠田 Shee-noh-dah Bamboo grass field
Cute Japanese Names That Start With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sakura 桜 Sah-koo-rah Cherry blossom Suzu 鈴 Soo-zoo Bell Sachi 幸 Sah-chee Happiness Sora 空 Soh-rah Sky Sana 咲菜 Sah-nah Blooming greens Sumire 菫 Soo-mee-reh Violet flower Suki 好 Soo-kee Loved one Sayo 小夜 Sah-yoh Small night Shio 潮 Shee-oh Tide Satsuki 五月 Sah-tsoo-kee May flower Seri 芹 Seh-ree Water parsley Suzume 雀 Soo-zoo-meh Sparrow Sae 冴 Sah-eh Bright, clear Sakiho 咲穂 Sah-kee-hoh Blooming grain Shiori 栞 Shee-oh-ree Bookmark Suzu 鈴 Soo-zoo Little bell Soyoka 爽花 Soh-yoh-kah Fresh flower Sarasa 更紗 Sah-rah-sah Printed cloth Seina 聖菜 Say-nah Holy greens Sunaho 砂穂 Soo-nah-hoh Sandy grain
Cool Japanese Names That Start With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Seiryu 青龍 Say-ryoo Blue dragon Shun 駿 Shoon Swift, talented Sora 空 Soh-rah Sky Soya 蒼矢 Soh-yah Blue arrow Shinji 真二 Sheen-jee True second Soran 空嵐 Soh-rahn Sky storm Shoma 翔馬 Shoh-mah Soaring horse Sousei 双星 Soh-say Twin stars Shohei 翔平 Shoh-hay Soaring, calm Shu 朱 Shoo Red, strong Shoichi 翔一 Shoh-ee-chee First soaring son Sota 颯太 Soh-tah Swift and big Shingo 真吾 Sheen-goh True self Sosuke 宗介 Soh-soo-keh Respected helper Saburo 三郎 Sah-boo-roh Third brave son Shugo 守護 Shoo-goh Guardian Sojiro 宗次郎 Soh-jee-roh Second respected son Seiryu 星龍 Say-ryoo Star dragon Sumito 澄人 Soo-mee-toh Clear person Shintaro 新太郎 Sheen-tah-roh New strong son
Popular Japanese Names That Start With S Popular Japanese Names That Start With S Name Kanji Pronunciation Meaning Sakura 桜 Sah-koo-rah Cherry blossom Satoshi 聡 Sah-toh-shee Wisdom Shota 翔太 Shoh-tah Soaring big Sora 空 Soh-rah Sky Sota 颯太 Soh-tah Swift and big Shiori 栞 Shee-oh-ree Bookmark Shun 駿 Shoon Talented Sayuri 小百合 Sah-yoo-ree Small lily Sachi 幸 Sah-chee Happiness Sumire 菫 Soo-mee-reh Violet flower Shinji 真二 Sheen-jee True second Shohei 翔平 Shoh-hay Soaring calm Sena 世菜 Seh-nah World greens Saki 咲 Sah-kee Blooming Sosuke 宗介 Soh-soo-keh Respected helper Shoko 祥子 Shoh-koh Lucky child Setsuna 刹那 Seh-tsoo-nah Brief moment Sanae 早苗 Sah-nah-eh Early seedling Sachiko 幸子 Sah-chee-koh Happy child Shizuka 静香 Shee-zoo-kah Quiet fragrance Shintaro 新太郎 Sheen-tah-roh New big son Soya 蒼矢 Soh-yah Blue arrow Satsuki 五月 Sah-tsoo-kee May month Shoma 翔馬 Shoh-mah Soaring horse Suzume 雀 Soo-zoo-meh Sparrow
Conclusion Japanese names that start with S are full of meaning and beauty. From strong boy names like Satoshi and Shohei to soft girl names like Sakura and Sumire, there is truly something for everyone. Whether you want a name that means sky, blossom, wisdom, or peace, the letter S gives you so many great choices. These names are not just sounds — they carry stories, values, and culture passed down through generations.
Choosing a Japanese name is a meaningful decision, and we hope this list made it a little easier for you. Whether you are picking a name for a baby, a character, or just learning about Japanese culture, these names are worth knowing. Each one has its own charm and depth. Take your time, explore the meanings, and find the name that feels right for you.
