Copied from Google; Many anime character names are real Japanese names with traditional meanings, such as Sakura (cherry blossom), Naruto (maelstrom), Sora (sky), Akari (light), and Haruki (spring tree). Other anime names, like Goku, Yagami, Sasuke, and Kakashi, also have real Japanese origins and meanings, though some may be less common or more metaphorical.
this post was submitted on 02 Oct 2025
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I'm compelled to point out, all names are just made up.
YOU'RE MADE UP
BY YOU!
DON'T CALL ME YOU, BUD!
Slice of life mostly has real names or spins on real names. Fantasy has fantasical names or ones the author thought sounded fantastical. Then lots of in-between.
The fantasy ones get weird sometimes. In Overlord there's a guy named Brain.
Then there are the ones where the writer thinks they're funny...
Some are real, many are exaggerated or fantastical. It varies a lot. If you think of western shows, some use realistic names, esspecially in a more grounded setting, but most cartoons or more fantastical works will use names that are over-the-top (I.E. Marty McFly), while others are loosely based on other languages or completely made up.
I know a Japanese one where all names - even the title - are German dictionary words.
Okay spill the bean. What is it?
edit: I got it. Its frieren
I know of another where the names are hard rock and metal bands like ACDC.
Or tarot cards like ZA WARUDO
おはよう、クランケンバーゲンさん！
アウフェントハルツエルラウブニスさんはどこですか？
Good morning, Klanken Bargen
Where is Aufentharzer Laubnis?
~~Even allowing for translating from Japanese script, these are not German dictionary words.~~
Krankenwagen and Aufenthaltserlaubnis
Oh, I get it now.
Half of them a German words ...
Idk if half but I'm currently watching frieren in german and it's kind of funny that practically all names are German words. They probably sound ultra cool to the Japanese
It's not literally half, but it's quite common. Frieren is an extreme example :)
99.9% of anime is slice of life in real Japan with mostly real or real-ish names, what are you talking about
At least some are real and common. I doubt this is true across the board, though.
I always wonder about this and whole this is how its spelled thing.
Right? Watching My Hero Academia and the names are all bonkers
If you're talking about something like MHA those are largely made up with some influence from real naming patterns.
For what it's worth a quick Google search will usually tell you the answer for any particular name. Just like with English, there's a combination of:
- Names that are also real words still in use ("Sakura" or "Rose")
- Names that are based on former vocations ("Goldstein" or "Smith")
- Stuff that's meant to remind you of something related to the character ("Otto Octavius")
- Whatever the author felt sounded cool ("Ronan Dex")
“Ledasha” is an urban legend. (with a nasty snack of racism)
Oof. Well called out. I feel terrible. Removing
Depends on the setting, as it does in media from every country.