Are you searching for Japanese baby names that mean dark or darkness? You’re in the right place!
Finding the perfect baby name can be a challenge, especially for parents seeking something unique and deeply meaningful. If you’re drawn to names with mystery, elegance, and emotional depth, Japanese names that signify darkness offer a fascinating and powerful choice.
From names rooted in Japanese mythology to those inspired by nature and folklore, this collection includes everything from popular to rare options for boys and girls. Whether you’re interested in dark-themed meanings or symbolic expressions of strength and mystery, you’ll find inspiration here.
In Japanese culture, names often carry layered meanings, influenced by elements like the natural world, spiritual beliefs, and ancient legends. Dark Japanese names, in particular, have become increasingly popular among modern parents looking to break away from traditional choices while embracing beauty and depth.
Names like Ankoku (暗黒), meaning “darkness,” and Shikoku (死黒), meaning “death black,” reflect this rich cultural background and storytelling tradition. These names are not only bold and intriguing—they also connect to centuries-old myths and timeless symbolism.
So whether you’re naming a baby, creating a character, or simply exploring Japanese name meanings, dive into this captivating list and discover the perfect name that embraces the power and poetry of darkness.
Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark

- Yami
- Kurai
- Kuro
- An
- Mei
- Yoru
- Kurayami
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kage
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Kasumi
- Shinju
- Kuroko
- Rei
- Mikazuki
- Kuroha
- Aokage
- Tsukikage
- Kurenai
- Nisshoku
- Kurotsuki
- Yamikage
- Kuroyuri
- Anya
- Shizuka
- Nanko
- Sumi
- Yinyami
- Zanka
- Shinkai
- Koku
- Gurei
- Kanashii
- Urei
- Kuroshi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shōkoku
- Ranka
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Kurohime
- Kuronami
- Shioriko
- Amai
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
Read More:Beautiful Baby Names that Mean Shadow or Darkness
Japanese Baby Girl Names That Mean Dark

- Yami
- Kurai
- Anya
- Mei
- Yoru
- Kuragari
- Kurayami
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroha
- Kuroko
- Kageko
- Kuroyuri
- Kurohime
- Tsukiyo
- Mikazuki
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Rei
- Shizuka
- Kurenai
- Nisshoku
- Yamikage
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Urei
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūmei
- Shioriko
- Ranka
- Gurei
- Kurotsuki
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Koku
- Amai
- Kuroka
- Kurone
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Zanka
- Shinkai
- Yūrei
- Shōkoku
- Nanko
- Yinyami
- Kurona
- Kuroe
- Ankura
- Hazuki
- Murasaki
- Shinome
Japanese Baby Boy Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Kurai
- An
- Yoru
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Kage
- Yamiyo
- Tsukiyo
- Kurayami
- Shinju
- Rei
- Kuroshi
- Koku
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Zanka
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shōkoku
- Kuronami
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Nisshoku
- Yamikage
- Kurou
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Ankura
- Kurotsuki
- Kurenai
- Shioro
- Kurono
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kuroumaru
- Kuroto
- Anju
- Kurogaki
- Shiroku
- Kurogane
- Kurayuki
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Yamakage
- Kurashi
- Kurohito
Japanese Baby Famous Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Popular Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Creative Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Aesthetic Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Unique Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Kurai
- An
- Yoru
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kage
- Tsukiyo
- Kurayami
- Shinju
- Rei
- Kuroha
- Kuroko
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Trending Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Cool Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroha
- Kuroko
- Kuroyuri
- Tsukiyo
- Kurenai
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
- Tsukihana
Cute Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Mei
- Rei
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroha
- Kuroko
- Kuroyuri
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Urei
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurona
- Kuronami
- Kuroumi
- Kuroka
- Kuroe
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Shioriko
- Murasaki
- Kuroari
- Kuramitsu
- Kurohana
- Tsukiko
- Kuranami
- Kurohime
- Yozora
- Tsukishita
- Anamei
- Kuroaya
- Kurome
- Kuroai
- Yuyami
Catchy Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Mei
- Rei
- Shinju
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroha
- Kuroko
- Kuroyuri
- Tsukiyo
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Tsukihana
- Yuyami
- Kurome
Classic Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Tsukiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shōkoku
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Tsukikage
- Gurei
- Shinju
- Kasumi
- Kurenai
- Shioriko
- Nokoru
- Gensō
- Kuroka
- Ankura
- Kurome
Simple Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Yami
- Kuro
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Sumi
- Anko
- Kura
- Yuu
- Kuroa
- Yuka
- Kana
- Riku
- Ryo
- Kiyo
- Kae
- Nao
- Ena
- Mio
- Aoi
- Ren
- Kuroi
- Haku
- Rui
- Toki
- Iku
- Asa
- Aya
- Yui
- Ami
- Eri
- Sora
- Nari
- Hina
- Mana
- Naoe
- Miu
- Yae
- Rumi
- Kuni
- Yuni
- Toma
- Sayo
- Risa
- Yona
- Kira
- Mako
- Aru
- Nira
- Yuzu
- Rino
- Miri
Japanese Baby Nicknames That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Kage
- Yoru
- An
- Sumi
- Kura
- Yuu
- Rei
- Mei
- Kuma
- Koi
- Koku
- Zai
- Riku
- Toshi
- Haku
- Kiro
- Kumo
- Kai
- Ryo
- Sora
- Kito
- Nao
- Kuroo
- Yaya
- Rina
- Miyo
- Taka
- Kyo
- Ren
- Nira
- Yuuji
- Kazu
- Keni
- Yuna
- Saki
- Maki
- Rikuo
- Toma
- Yuki
- Nori
- Rikuya
- Koto
- Yuto
- Aki
- Naoe
- Maki
- Risa
- Yuki
Best Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
Top Japanese Baby Names That Mean Dark
- Kuro
- Yami
- Yoru
- Kage
- Kurai
- An
- Rei
- Mei
- Shinju
- Tsukiyo
- Kuragari
- Ankoku
- Yamiyo
- Kuroko
- Kuroha
- Kuroyuri
- Kurenai
- Kasumi
- Sumi
- Kumori
- Yūkoku
- Yūrei
- Shizuka
- Tsukikage
- Aokage
- Kurotsuki
- Zanka
- Gurei
- Urei
- Shinkai
- Kuronami
- Nokoru
- Tsukimori
- Yūmei
- Yoin
- Gensō
- Higure
- Tsuyami
- Kurou
- Ankura
- Kuroshi
- Kurama
- Ranka
- Kurogane
- Kurayami
- Shōkoku
- Kurono
- Kuroto
- Shioriko
- Kuroaki
- Ansei
- Kurayuki
- Kuroe
- Murasaki
- Kuroka
FAQs
What are some Japanese baby names that mean dark?
Some Japanese baby names that mean dark include Kuro, Yami, Yoru, Kurai, and Kage. These names are inspired by elements like night, shadow, and darkness in Japanese culture.
Are names that mean dark considered negative in Japan?
Not necessarily. In Japanese culture, darkness can symbolize mystery, depth, elegance, or calmness. Many names that mean dark are appreciated for their poetic and aesthetic value.
Can both boys and girls have Japanese names that mean dark?
Yes, many dark-themed Japanese names are unisex or have gender-specific versions. For example, Yoru and Kuro can be used for either boys or girls depending on the kanji and pronunciation.
What kanji are commonly used in Japanese names that mean dark?
Common kanji include 黒 (kuro – black), 闇 (yami – darkness), 影 (kage – shadow), and 夜 (yoru – night). These characters are often combined with others to create unique and meaningful names.
Are dark-themed Japanese names popular today?
Yes, names with meanings tied to nature, emotions, and abstract concepts like darkness have become more popular, especially in modern, artistic, or unique naming trends.
Conclusion
Japanese baby names that mean dark offer a unique and powerful expression of depth, mystery, and elegance. In Japanese culture, darkness isn’t solely associated with negativity—it can symbolize the unknown, quiet strength, introspection, and balance. Names like Kurai (dark), Yami (darkness), or symbolic ones like Anri (quiet darkness) carry beautiful, layered meanings that stand out in both sound and significance. Choosing a dark-themed Japanese name is a meaningful way to reflect strength, subtlety, and emotional depth, making it a bold yet thoughtful choice for modern parents or creative projects.