100 Chilling Names That Mean Ghost in Japanese Language

Ghosts have always fascinated people—whether it’s the quiet chill of a ghost story or the mystery behind what lingers in the dark. In Japan, spirits are more than just scary; they’re part of everyday stories, traditions, and even names.

Some names carry hidden meanings tied to the spirit world, passed down through generations or inspired by folklore. Whether you love Japanese culture, write stories, or are just curious, you’ll enjoy exploring these unique names that mean ghost in Japanese.

Male Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

In Japanese culture, some male names are rooted in the spiritual world, drawing from ghostly legends and old kanji with deep meanings. These names might hint at hidden strength, mystery, or a connection to the unseen. Though not common in everyday life, they often appear in stories, anime, or historical tales.

Yuurei (幽霊) – Literally means “ghost” or “spirit of the dead.” It’s the most direct word for ghost in Japanese.
Ayakashi (妖) – Refers to mysterious, supernatural beings, often those that appear near water. It’s a poetic and eerie word used in folklore.
Onryou (怨霊) – A vengeful spirit, often seen in ghost stories. These are believed to return from the dead to seek revenge.
Rei (霊) – Means “spirit” or “soul.” It’s a simple, elegant kanji commonly used in spiritual contexts.
Kurayami (暗闇) – Translates to “darkness.” Though not a name in daily use, it carries a mysterious, ghostly vibe.
Yami (闇) – Also means “darkness” or “shadow.” Often used in anime or literature for characters with hidden or dark powers.
Shin (心霊) – Can be short for shinrei (心霊), meaning “spirit” or “psychic phenomena.” A subtle and powerful name.
Kage (影) – Means “shadow.” Shadows often symbolize the presence of spirits or the unseen in Japanese culture.
Akumu (悪夢) – Means “nightmare.” It’s intense and dramatic, sometimes used for dark or haunted characters.
Mamoru (守) – Means “to protect.” While not ghostly by itself, it’s often used for characters who protect others from spirits or curses.
Kuro (黒) – Means “black.” In Japan, black is associated with mystery, death, and the unknown.
Kaidan (怪談) – Refers to a ghost story or strange tale. Often used in horror literature and folklore.
Tsukikage (月影) – Means “moon shadow.” Poetic and eerie, it evokes quiet supernatural imagery.
Shinkai (深海) – Translates to “deep sea.” The ocean depths are often used as metaphors for the unknown and the spirit world.
Maou (魔王) – Means “demon king.” Not a ghost exactly, but heavily associated with dark, otherworldly power.
Gurei (グレイ) – A katakana rendering of “gray,” often used in anime or fiction. Gray symbolizes the in-between, like the boundary between life and death.
Enma (閻魔) – Refers to Enma Daiō, the Japanese king of the underworld who judges the souls of the dead. A powerful and fearsome name.
Naraku (奈落) – Means “hell” or “abyss.” Commonly used in horror or dark fantasy settings to evoke dread and spiritual torment.
Higure (日暮) – Translates to “sunset” or “twilight.” A symbolic time when the boundary between worlds is said to blur.
Yoru (夜) – Simply means “night.” Nighttime in Japanese tradition is when spirits and yōkai are most active.
Mikaboshi (天津甕星) – A deity of chaos and darkness in Japanese mythology. The name carries ancient and cosmic weight.
Kyouma (狂魔) – A constructed name meaning “mad demon” (狂 = mad, 魔 = demon). It’s intense and dramatic, ideal for dark characters.
Oboro (朧) – Means “hazy” or “obscured.” Often used in poetic contexts to describe a moon veiled in mist, symbolizing ghostly beauty.
Inmu (淫夢) – Literally means “lewd dream,” but often used in surreal or haunting contexts. Culturally, it can have layered or meme-based associations online.
Reiji (怜司) – A real male name that can be written with kanji meaning “spirit” (怜 = clever/spiritual). Depending on the kanji, it can subtly carry ghostly or elegant meanings.
Shigure (時雨) – Means “late autumn rain” or “drizzle.” It has a quiet, melancholic feeling, sometimes linked to fleeting spirits or memories.
Danzou (団蔵) – A name historically used by ninjas and shadowy figures. It carries an air of secrecy and darkness.
Hazama (狭間) – Means “gap” or “in-between.” Symbolizes the space between worlds—life and death, light and shadow.
Homura (焔) – Means “flame” or “blaze.” While not directly ghostly, fire has ritual and spiritual symbolism in Japanese culture.
Araragi (荒薙) – A unique surname meaning “violent storm” or “rough wind,” tied to nature’s darker side. Popularized in modern anime.
Rikuou (陸王) – Literally means “land king.” While not ghostly on its own, it carries a grand, ancient tone that can suit a powerful spiritual or otherworldly character.
Kurotsuki (黒月) – Translates to “black moon.” A poetic, ominous name often used in fiction to suggest mystery, darkness, and the supernatural.
Yūma (幽真) – A real given name; when written as 幽 (ghostly/spirit) and 真 (truth), it means “true spirit” or “mysterious truth.” Both beautiful and eerie.
Seiji (清司) – A common male name, but if written with 清 (pure) and 司 (govern/control), it can be interpreted as someone who governs purity—possibly a spiritual guardian or exorcist figure.
Raiga (雷牙) – Means “thunder fang.” Often used for powerful or supernatural characters. Though not ghostly in the traditional sense, it evokes intensity and elemental force.
Munashi (虚) – Translates to “empty” or “void.” Strongly associated with the idea of spiritual emptiness or absence, which can feel haunting or ghost-like.
Kyouhei (狂平) – Can mean “mad peace” if written with 狂 (madness) and 平 (peace). A striking, ironic name that might suit a ghost with a twisted backstory.
Gensou (幻奏) – A compound meaning “phantom melody” or “illusory performance.” It’s deeply poetic and perfect for a character with a ghostly or dreamlike presence.
Reiichi (霊一) – Combines 霊 (spirit) and 一 (one), forming a name like “first spirit” or “spirit one.” Simple but directly connected to the ghostly realm.
Hantou (半灯) – Means “half light” or “dim light.” Symbolizes the fading line between life and death or a spirit caught in-between.
Kagemaru (影丸) – “Shadow circle” or “perfect shadow.” A classic ninja-style name with a ghostly undertone due to its shadow imagery.
Kurohyou (黒豹) – Means “black panther.” While not inherently ghostly, black animals in Japanese folklore often serve as spirit guides or omens.
Shinjiro (真次郎) – A traditional name; depending on the kanji, it can mean “true second son.” If styled a certain way, it can subtly carry spiritual undertones.
Meikai (冥界) – Directly means “underworld.” A bold, ghost-themed name used in fantasy, horror, and myth-inspired settings.
Tsukihiko (月彦) – Means “moon prince.” Mysterious and elegant, the moon often symbolizes the spirit world or emotional depth in Japanese culture.

Female Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

Some female names in Japan carry delicate, eerie beauty linked to spirits or the supernatural. These names often blend grace with a ghostly presence, making them memorable in both sound and meaning. Whether found in folklore or fiction, they reflect the haunting charm of Japan’s spiritual traditions.

Yurei (幽霊) – The direct word for “ghost” in Japanese. It refers to souls of the dead that haven’t moved on, often appearing in traditional ghost stories.
Yuki (雪) – Means “snow.” Often used symbolically for spirits due to its purity, silence, and connection to the Yuki-onna (snow woman), a famous ghostly figure.
Obake (お化け) – A general term for “ghost” or “shapeshifter.” It refers to supernatural beings that can take different forms.
Reika (怜華) – A feminine name that can mean “spiritual beauty” depending on the kanji. “Rei” (怜) can be tied to spirit or grace.
Yuuko (幽子) – Can be written as “child of the spirit” (幽 = ghost/spirit, 子 = child). A common name in ghost stories and supernatural fiction.
Kasumi (霞) – Means “mist.” Mist is a recurring image in Japanese ghost tales, symbolizing things hidden or half-seen.
Hyouka (氷花) – Translates to “ice flower.” Has a cold, haunting beauty often used to represent spirits or fragile, otherworldly beings.
Aika (哀歌) – Means “elegy” or “sorrowful song.” Emotionally heavy and often connected with memories, mourning, or lingering spirits.
Kiyome (清女) – Roughly translates to “pure woman.” While not directly ghostly, the theme of spiritual purity is often linked to rituals and the spirit world.
Shiroko (白子) – Means “white child” or “pure child.” White is the color traditionally associated with ghosts and death in Japanese culture.
Hotaru (蛍) – Means “firefly.” Fireflies are often seen as the souls of the departed, especially in summer festivals and poetry.
Mizuki (水月) – Means “water moon.” A poetic name that evokes reflection, illusion, and ethereal beauty—often used in ghostly imagery.
Tsukiko (月子) – “Child of the moon.” The moon is tied to mystery, femininity, and spiritual presence.
Rin (凛) – Means “dignified” or “cold.” Often used for strong, silent female characters with an air of mystery.
Kura (暗) – Means “dark” or “hidden.” A powerful and simple name associated with secrecy or the unseen.
Kohana (小花) – Means “small flower.” While gentle, it can carry a melancholic or fading beauty often tied to fleeting spirits.
Sayoko (小夜子) – Can mean “child of the small night.” Quiet, poetic, and perfect for a character with a ghostly charm.
Hoshimi (星美) – Means “star beauty.” Stars are distant and eternal, sometimes seen as the souls of the departed in Japanese symbolism.
Mio (澪) – Means “waterway” or “current.” Water is closely linked to the spirit world in Japanese tradition, symbolizing transitions, emotions, and the passage between realms.
Riko (理子) – A popular name that can mean “child of logic” or “reason,” but depending on the kanji, it can also carry a calm, mysterious energy often used for quiet, ghost-like characters.
Nozomi (希) – Means “hope” or “wish.” While not directly ghostly, it’s often used in stories for characters tied to lingering feelings, regrets, or lost dreams—common ghost motifs.
Kanae (奏恵) – Combines “to play music” (奏) and “blessing” (恵). The name feels gentle and spiritual, suitable for a ghost with a calm, protective, or wistful presence.
Ayame (菖蒲) – Means “iris flower.” In folklore, irises are used to ward off evil spirits, linking the name to spiritual protection and cleansing.
Kyouka (鏡花) – Means “mirror flower.” Mirrors often appear in ghost stories as gateways or symbols of the unseen, making this name poetic and supernatural.
Usagi (兎) – Means “rabbit.” While soft and gentle, rabbits are also symbolic in Japanese mythology, often tied to the moon—an element with spiritual significance.
Hisoka (密) – Means “secret” or “silent.” Often used for mysterious, ghost-like characters who hide their true feelings or presence.
Mayu (繭) – Means “cocoon.” Symbolic of transformation, stillness, or entrapment, all themes associated with ghost stories and rebirth.
Rinka (凛花) – Combines “dignity” (凛) and “flower” (花). A name that feels elegant and strong, often used for calm yet powerful female characters with a ghostly grace.
Sumire (菫) – Means “violet” (the flower). Delicate and quietly beautiful, it can carry the melancholic tone often associated with lingering spirits.
Kohaku (琥珀) – Means “amber.” Amber is fossilized and ancient—symbolizing preservation, memory, and sometimes spiritual protection.
Sayo (沙夜) – Can be read as “sand night” or “little night.” A hauntingly pretty name often used for quiet, mysterious girls in stories.
Yuina (結奈) – A modern-sounding name that can mean “gentle connection” or “peaceful bond.” It has a soft, lingering quality that can feel ghostly in certain contexts.
Enju (炎珠) – Combines “flame” (炎) and “jewel” (珠). A rare and intense name, evoking spiritual fire or a glowing presence.
Hikari (光) – Means “light.” While often associated with purity and hope, it can be used ironically in ghost stories, especially when paired with darker themes.
Fuyuko (冬子) – Means “winter child.” Winter is symbolic of stillness, sleep, or death in Japanese imagery, making this name gently haunting.
Shirayuki (白雪) – Means “white snow.” Used in fairy tales and ghost stories, it conveys purity, coldness, and beauty with a fragile or tragic air.
Tsuyu (露) – Means “dew.” A poetic, ephemeral name symbolizing short-lived beauty or the brief presence of a spirit.
Nazuna (撫菜) – A type of edible wildflower, also known as “shepherd’s purse.” It appears in spring festivals for protection, purification, and connection to the spiritual world.

Unisex Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

Not all ghostly names are gendered—some can be used for anyone. These unisex names often carry meanings tied to mystery, shadow, or spirit, and are sometimes chosen for artistic or symbolic reasons. They’re perfect for characters, nicknames, or anyone drawn to names with a mystical edge.

Yuu (幽) – Often used to mean “ghostly,” “dim,” or “faint.” The kanji evokes mystery and stillness.
Sora (空) – Means “sky” or “emptiness.” A poetic name symbolizing peace, vastness, or the invisible world beyond.
Aoi (葵) – Can mean “hollyhock” or be associated with the color blue. While not ghostly itself, it often appears in quiet, mysterious characters in anime and fiction.
Riku (陸) – Means “land” or “shore.” Symbolically, shores are boundaries—where the physical world meets the spiritual, making it quietly meaningful.
Nagi (凪) – Means “calm” or “stillness of wind.” Often used in spiritual or meditative contexts, evoking a ghostly quiet.
Tsukasa (司) – Means “to govern” or “manage.” While not overtly ghost-related, it’s used for powerful or mysterious figures in stories.
Haru (陽) – Means “sun” or “spring.” Represents light and renewal but is often given to characters with dual or hidden natures.
Shin (心) – Means “heart” or “spirit.” Deeply connected to emotions, souls, and inner worlds.
Akira (明) – Means “bright” or “clear.” Symbolic of clarity and spiritual light, often used to represent wisdom or insight.
Ren (蓮) – Means “lotus.” The lotus is a spiritual symbol of purity and rebirth, deeply tied to Buddhism and peaceful spirits.
Kaoru (薫) – Means “fragrance” or “aroma.” Carries a soft, ghostly feel—like a memory or presence that lingers in the air.
Michiru (満) – Means “full” or “to be filled.” Can be poetic when expressing a spirit’s longing or presence.
Hikaru (光) – Another word for “light,” like Hikari. Associated with souls, radiance, and spiritual guidance.
Subaru (昴) – Refers to the Pleiades star cluster. Stars are often used symbolically for departed souls or celestial spirits.
Seina (聖奈) – “Holy” and “graceful” depending on the kanji. Has an ethereal, peaceful presence suitable for ghostly themes.
Nazuki (名月) – Means “harvest moon” or “famous moon.” The moon is a strong symbol of spirits, night, and transformation.
Noa (乃愛) – Can mean “from love” or “beloved.” A gentle, modern name that can represent a spirit who lingers out of affection or memory.