[name_m]Hi[/name_m], there! My DH is a first generation Japanese-American. His name is [name_m]Raiden[/name_m] (pn [name_m]RY[/name_m]- den). His parents specifically chose the name so that he would fit in with his American peers and still connect him to his Japanese heritage.
For our own children, I would like to do the same thing. Use names that reflect their Japanese ancestry but will work in western countries as well. So far, we like Ayameko (eye-uh-mee-ko), nickname [name_f]Aya[/name_f], which means child of the iris, Tsukiko (soo-kee-ko), nickname Kiki, which means moon child, [name_f]Sachiko[/name_f] (sa-chee-ko), nickname [name_f]Sachi[/name_f] (sash-ee), which means joyful child, and [name_f]Takara[/name_f], which means treasure.
We like three or four syllable names with easy nicknames. Meaning isn’t overly important but is a nice bonus.
His last name is Hachimitsu (ha-chee-mit-su). Mine is [name_m]Weston[/name_m]. We’re seriously considering hyphenating our child’s name, but as long as the first name flows well with his, then we’re happy. Any advice is warmly welcomed!
Kiku is the first thing I thought of: according to the internet (link) it means “chrysanthemum” in Japanese, a very symbolic flower there (if the internet does not lie to me). It may be more like a nickname name than a name, but it’s a really sweet and cute option. I also thought of [name_f]Sakura[/name_f], “cherry blossom.”
[name_f]Hana[/name_f] This one is my favorite on the list, because it’s the name of one of my dear friends, and it means “flower, blossom.”
[name_u]Kai[/name_u] “forgiveness”
[name_f]Kairi[/name_f] “sea”
[name_f]Tori[/name_f] “bird”
Here are some names that have been on the US Top 1000 at some point (and therefore most likely would be at least a little familiar to some people: http://bit.ly/2x7zo9k
Well, I am not sure what works in the US since I am not there, so I’ll just suggest some of my favourite Japanese names that’s three syllables or more.
Miyuki “beautiful snow”
[name_f]Sakura[/name_f] - definitely work since it’s quite popular, I guess?
Hikari “radiance”
Mizuki beautiful moon"
Eriko - similar to [name_f]Erica[/name_f], so it should work.
Izumi “fountain”
[name_f]Michiko[/name_f] “beautiful, wise child”
Sayuri “[name_f]Lily[/name_f]”
Shizuka “quiet”
I think [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] might also be a good choice for you. I think it’s pronounced slightly differently in Japanese to the Hebrew/English variant, but it would be familiar for most people.
Japanese [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] is pronounced NA-O-MEE, whereas English [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] is pronounced nay-O-mee (or nie-O-mee). I think the Japanese and first English pronunciations are similar enough that it could work. It apparently means something like ‘straight beautiful’ in Japanese and ‘pleasantness’ in Hebrew.
I also really like the previous suggestions of Miyuki, [name_f]Sakura[/name_f], Izumi, [name_f]Amaya[/name_f], [name_f]Kairi[/name_f] and [name_f]Sachiko[/name_f].
I don’t know very many Japanese-Americans, but [name_f]Miki[/name_f], [name_f]Mai[/name_f] and [name_f]Megumi[/name_f] (goes by [name_f]Meg[/name_f]) all seem to have minimal pronunciation issues in my area.
Best of luck on your name hunt.
Everyone has great suggestions, I don’t know much about Japanese names, I did always like [name_f]Hana[/name_f] and [name_f]Tori[/name_f], though, though. And I’ve always liked Kameko, I heard once that it meant turtle child, and turtles have special significance in Japanese culture. [name_m]Hiro[/name_m] is cute, too, but a bit too Disney now. [name_m]Kane[/name_m] would work, and I’ve always liked [name_f]Keiko[/name_f], but that’s the star trek fan in me. [name_m]Kenzo[/name_m] is super cute! Can you tell by the alphabetical order that I’m looking them up now? [name_u]Mika[/name_u] is cute, and [name_m]Takeo[/name_m], Senji can work in the US, too. What immediately caught my eye in your post is a name I wouldn’t use, and that’s [name_f]Sachiko[/name_f]. With the nn [name_f]Sachi[/name_f], he would be [name_f]Sachi[/name_f] Hachimitsu, or, [name_f]Sachi[/name_f] Hachi. That might cause a bit of teasing.
First-gen white American with a first-gen Japanese-American boyfriend here! I’m always on the lookout for names that represent both our heritages and work in English. I definitely second the recommendation of [name_f]Naomi[/name_f] and [name_f]Ami[/name_f] (double bonus for me since these are both Jewish names as well). I also second [name_u]Akira[/name_u], [name_m]Kenzo[/name_m], [name_f]Keiko[/name_f], [name_u]Mika[/name_u], [name_f]Sachiko[/name_f], [name_f]Mari[/name_f], and [name_m]Takeo[/name_m].
My cousin spent a significant amount of her childhood in Japan and chose to honor that with her daughter’s name. Her name is [name_f]Aya[/name_f] so Ayameko gets my vote. Since it is similar to [name_f]Kaya[/name_f] and [name_f]Maya[/name_f] I don’t think people will struggle with it. I also like Tsukiko but you might have some trouble with it.
Admittedly, I’m a huge [name_f]Star[/name_f] Trek nerd, but I like [name_m]Hikaru[/name_m]. It’s got a lovely meaning, Shining. It works for both genders and I like the alliteration with the last name. There’s a couple of other references that have made it into American awareness, at least that branch of American awareness that loves Japanese entertainment. Nickname [name_u]Cary[/name_u], if you want it.
