65+ Japanese Names That Mean Dark for Girls and Boys
Japanese names that mean dark in culture contain both power along with secret elements and intense charm and fortifying qualities.
Modern Japanese parents who select names for their children consider dark symbolism because 27% of them pay attention to it. Japanese naming systems captured my attention over several years and dark-theming names capture my attention above conventional naming practices.
The name collection with dark connotations delivers intriguing possibilities as alternatives to conventional names for baby names and character inventions as well as cultural study in Japanese traditions.
This article investigates the mysterious Japanese names that mean dark culture which range from shadows to twilight through the unknown.
25 Japanese Names With Dark Meaning

1. Akuma
- Kanji: 悪魔
- Meaning: Demon or Devil
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-mah
2. Yami
- Kanji: 闇
- Meaning: Darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee
3. Kuro
- Kanji: 黒
- Meaning: Black
- Pronunciation: koo-roh
4. Akui
- Kanji: 悪意
- Meaning: Malice
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-ee
5. Shikabane
- Kanji: 屍
- Meaning: Corpse
- Pronunciation: shee-kah-bah-neh
6. Kurayami
- Kanji: 暗闇
- Meaning: Darkness, Gloom
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-yah-mee
7. Akuryo
- Kanji: 悪霊
- Meaning: Evil spirit
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-ryoh
8. Mayoi
- Kanji: 迷い
- Meaning: Hesitation, Confusion
- Pronunciation: mah-yoh-ee
9. Akumu
- Kanji: 悪夢
- Meaning: Nightmare
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-moo
10. Ankoku
- Kanji: 暗黒
- Meaning: Darkness, Blackness
- Pronunciation: ahn-koh-koo
11. Kuroi
- Kanji: 黒い
- Meaning: Black, Dark
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-ee
12. Yamiyo
- Kanji: 闇夜
- Meaning: Dark night
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-yoh
13. Kuragari
- Kanji: 暗がり
- Meaning: Darkness, Shadow
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-gah-ree
14. Enma
- Kanji: 閻魔
- Meaning: King of Hell, Judge of the Dead
- Pronunciation: en-mah
15. Shi
- Kanji: 死
- Meaning: Death
- Pronunciation: shee
16. Kurai
- Kanji: 暗い
- Meaning: Dark, Gloomy
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-ee
17. Majo
- Kanji: 魔女
- Meaning: Witch
- Pronunciation: mah-joh
18. Yurei
- Kanji: 幽霊
- Meaning: Ghost; Specter
- Pronunciation: yoo-reh-ee
19. Rinne
- Kanji: 輪廻
- Meaning: Cycle of death and rebirth
- Pronunciation: rin-neh
20. Yamijishi
- Kanji: 闇実
- Meaning: Dark Truth
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-jee-shee
21. Kurobara
- Kanji: 黒薔薇
- Meaning: Black rose
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-bah-rah
22. Makyoku
- Kanji: 魔楽
- Meaning: Devil’s pleasure; Dark enjoyment
- Pronunciation: mah-kyoh-koo
23. Yamishizuka
- Kanji: 闇静
- Meaning: Dark tranquility; Shadowy calm
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-shee-zoo-kah
24. Yamikoi
- Kanji: 闇恋
- Meaning: Dark Love
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-koy
25. Kurohime
- Kanji: 黒姫
- Meaning: Black princess
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-hee-meh
20 Japanese Names With Dark Meaning for Girls

1. Yami
- Kanji: 闇
- Meaning: Darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee
2. Kurohana
- Kanji: 黒花
- Meaning: Black flower
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-hah-nah
3. Yamiko
- Kanji: 闇子
- Meaning: Child of Darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-koh
4. Akumako
- Kanji: 悪魔子
- Meaning: Demon child
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-mah-koh
5. Kuronome
- Kanji: 黒の目
- Meaning: Eyes of Darkness
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-noh-meh
6. Kokumajin
- Kanji: 黒魔人
- Meaning: Black demon; Dark sorcerer
- Pronunciation: koh-koo-mah-jeen
7. Majogami
- Kanji: 魔女髪
- Meaning: Witch’s hair
- Pronunciation: mah-joh-gah-mee
8. Kuraishi
- Kanji: 暗い死
- Meaning: Dark death
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-ee-shee
9. Akunome
- Kanji: 悪の目
- Meaning: Eyes of Evil
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-noh-meh
10. Yamikuro
- Kanji: 闇黒
- Meaning: Darkness and blackness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-koo-roh
11. Kagehana
- Kanji: 影花
- Meaning: Shadow flower
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-hah-nah
12. Akushi
- Kanji: 悪死
- Meaning: Evil death
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-shee
13. Kokuyami
- Kanji: 黒闇
- Meaning: Black darkness; Deep shadow
- Pronunciation: Koh-koo-yah-mee
14. Kuronobara
- Kanji: 黒野薔薇
- Meaning: Black wild rose
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-noh-bah-rah
15. Yamiryuu
- Kanji: 闇龍
- Meaning: Dark dragon
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-ryoo
16. Kuroneko
- Kanji: 黒猫
- Meaning: Black cat
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-neh-koh
17. Yamiren
- Kanji: 闇蓮
- Meaning: Dark lotus
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-ren
18. Kurumayami
- Kanji: 車闇
- Meaning: Dark carriage; Shadowed journey
- Pronunciation: koo-roo-mah-yah-mee
19. Ankokuu
- Kanji: 暗黒羽
- Meaning: Dark wings
- Pronunciation: ahn-koh-koo-oo
20. Yamiakane
- Kanji: 闇茜
- Meaning: Dark madder; Deep red color
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-ah-kah-neh
20 Boys Japanese Names That Mean Dark

1. Akuro
- Kanji: 悪路
- Meaning: Evil path, Wicked road
- Pronunciation: ah-koo-roh
2. Yamihiro
- Kanji: 闇広
- Meaning: Wide darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-hee-roh
3. Ankokuji
- Kanji: 暗黒時
- Meaning: Dark time, Time of Darkness
- Pronunciation: ahn-koh-koo-jee
4. Ankokuken
- Kanji: 暗黒剣
- Meaning: Sword of Darkness
- Pronunciation: ahn-koh-koo-ken
5. Kuraiku
- Kanji: 暗い苦
- Meaning: Dark agony, Gloomy suffering
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-ee-koo
6. Kurayamiro
- Kanji: 暗闇路
- Meaning: Dark path.
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-yah-mee-roh
7. Inen
- Kanji: 陰縁
- Meaning: Shadowy connection; Dark fate
- Pronunciation: ee-nen
8. Yamikage
- Kanji: 闇影
- Meaning: Shadow of Darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-kah-geh
9. Kuronaki
- Kanji: 黒鳴
- Meaning: Black cry, Dark lament
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-nah-kee
10. Shikyo
- Kanji: 死凶
- Meaning: Deadly omen, Fatal misfortune
- Pronunciation: shee-kyoh
11. Makkura
- Kanji: 真っ暗
- Meaning: Pitch-black, Completely dark
- Pronunciation: mahk-koo-rah
12. Shinigami
- Kanji: 死神
- Meaning: God of death, Grim Reaper
- Pronunciation: shee-nee-gah-mee
13. Makai
- Kanji: 魔界
- Meaning: Demon realm, Underworld
- Pronunciation: mah-kah-ee
14. Yamisei
- Kanji: 闇星
- Meaning: Dark star, Star of darkness
- Pronunciation: yah-mee-seh
15. Kurogane
- Kanji: 黒鉄
- Meaning: Black iron
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-gah-neh
16. Majin
- Kanji: 魔人
- Meaning: Demon, Evil being
- Pronunciation: mah-jeen
17. Kuraike
- Kanji: 暗い家
- Meaning: Dark House
- Pronunciation: koo-rah-ee-keh
18. Kageoni
- Kanji: 影鬼
- Meaning: Shadow demon
- Pronunciation: kah-geh-oh-nee
19. Kurozane
- Kanji: 黒金
- Meaning: Black metal; Dark gold
- Pronunciation: koo-roh-zah-neh
20. Maouji
- Kanji: 魔王子
- Meaning: Demon prince; Evil prince
- Pronunciation: mah-oh-jee
Also Read: 200+ Names That Mean Spider Grace in Girls and Boys
Conclusion:
The fascination with Japanese names that mean dark demonstrates the Japanese preference for elements which let people experience mysterious and rich beauty in darkness.
The black-themed Japanese names Kuro and Yami together with Kage and Yoru provide an impressive collection of meanings which attract those who feel drawn to darkness.
Japanese names preserve their linguistic and cultural significance throughout many centuries thus they should be used respectfully during naming children or characters and cultural learning.
This extensive guide about Japanese naming customs should illuminate the beautiful dark elements for you to choose a name that matches your appreciation of shadows. The time has come to welcome the enigmatic powers behind darkness through names. An ideal dark Japanese name is ready for its chosen bearer.