Japanese Names That Mean Autumn

The most common Japanese name that means autumn is Aki (秋). Related names include Akiko (autumn child), Akina (autumn greens), Akito (autumn person), Akihiko (autumn boy), Akiha (autumn leaf), Momiji (maple leaf) and Kaede (maple). Most of these use the kanji 秋, which means autumn.

What Does Autumn Mean in Japan?

In Japan, autumn stands for harvest, beauty, calm and the gentle passing of time. It is the season of red maple leaves, full moons and ripe rice fields.

Autumn is also tied to a soft sadness known as mono no aware, a quiet feeling for the fleeting nature of things.

Aki: The Core Autumn Name

Aki (秋) means autumn. It is simple, short and used for both girls and boys.

Aki can also be written with other kanji that mean bright (明) or clear (晶). Always check the kanji to confirm the meaning.

Girl Names That Mean Autumn

• Aki (秋): autumn
• Akiko (秋子): autumn child
• Akina (秋菜): autumn greens
• Akiha (秋葉): autumn leaf
• Akimi (秋美): autumn beauty
• Akiho (秋穂): autumn ear of rice
• Akino (秋乃): of autumn
• Akane (茜): madder red, the color of an autumn sunset
• Momiji (紅葉): red maple leaves
• Kaede (楓): maple

Boy Names That Mean Autumn

• Akito (秋人): autumn person
• Akihiko (秋彦): autumn boy
• Akio (秋夫): autumn man
• Akihiro (秋広): wide autumn
• Akiyoshi (秋良): good autumn
• Shu (秋): autumn, with the on-yomi reading
• Shuichi (秋一): autumn first son
• Shuji (秋二): autumn second son

Unisex Autumn Names

• Aki
• Kaede: maple
• Momiji: maple leaf
• Akito
• Shu

Names From Autumn Leaves

Autumn leaves are called koyo (紅葉狩り is leaf viewing), and they give us many lovely names.

• Momiji: red maple leaf
• Kaede: maple tree
• Akiha: autumn leaf
• Ichou (銀杏): ginkgo, golden in fall
• Kouyou (紅葉): autumn colors

Names From Autumn Flowers

Japan has seven classic flowers of autumn. Several work as names.

• Kiku (菊): chrysanthemum
• Kikyo (桔梗): bellflower
• Nadeshiko (撫子): fringed pink
• Ominaeshi (女郎花): maiden flower
• Hagi (萩): bush clover
• Susuki (薄): pampas grass
• Kuzu (葛): kudzu vine

Kiku, Kikyo, Nadeshiko and Hagi are the most common as names.

Names From the Harvest

• Minori (実り): harvest, fruition
• Ine (稲): rice plant
• Mino (実野): fruitful field
• Kuri (栗): chestnut
• Kaki (柿): persimmon
• Hozumi (穂積): ears of rice piled up

Names for Autumn Months

The old Japanese calendar gave each month a poetic name.

• Hazuki (葉月): leaf month, old August
• Nagatsuki (長月): long month, old September
• Kannazuki (神無月): month without gods, old October
• Shimotsuki (霜月): frost month, old November

Hazuki is the most used as a real name, for girls and boys.

Names From Autumn Moon Viewing

Tsukimi is the autumn custom of watching the full moon.

• Tsukimi (月見): moon viewing
• Tsukiko (月子): moon child
• Mizuki (美月): beautiful moon
• Akizuki (秋月): autumn moon

Japanese Surnames That Mean Autumn

• Akiyama (秋山): autumn mountain
• Akita (秋田): autumn field
• Akizuki (秋月): autumn moon
• Akiba (秋葉): autumn leaf
• Akimoto (秋元): autumn origin
• Hagiwara (萩原): bush clover field
• Kikuchi (菊池): chrysanthemum pond
• Kurita (栗田): chestnut field

Autumn Names in Anime and Pop Culture

• Aki Hayakawa: character in Chainsaw Man
• Momiji Sohma: character in Fruits Basket
• Mio Akiyama: character in K-On!
• Kaede Rukawa: character in Slam Dunk

Common Autumn Kanji

• 秋: autumn
• 葉: leaf
• 紅: crimson
• 実: harvest, fruit
• 月: moon
• 菊: chrysanthemum
• 楓: maple

Mixing these kanji is how many autumn names are formed.

How to Choose an Autumn Name

• Choose the kanji first, since it sets the meaning
• Check the reading is clear and easy
• Say the full name with the surname
• Pick a nature link you truly love, such as leaves, moon or harvest
• Confirm the kanji is allowed for names in Japan

FAQs

What Japanese name means autumn?

Aki means autumn in Japanese and is written 秋. Akiko, Akito and Akihiko are other popular names built on the same kanji.

What does the name Aki mean?

Aki means autumn when written with the kanji 秋. With other kanji it can mean bright, clear or sparkling.

What Japanese girl name means autumn?

Akiko, Akina, Akiha and Akimi are girl names that mean autumn. Momiji and Kaede are linked to autumn maple leaves.

What Japanese boy name means autumn?

Akito, Akihiko, Akio and Akihiro are boy names that include the autumn kanji.

What does Momiji mean?

Momiji means red maple leaves (紅葉). It is a girl name linked to autumn color and leaf viewing.

What does Kaede mean?

Kaede means maple (楓). It is used for both girls and boys and is tied to autumn leaves.

What is the Japanese word for autumn?

The word is aki (秋). It is also pronounced shu in compound words.

What does Akane mean?

Akane means madder red and is the deep red color of an evening sky. It is closely tied to autumn sunsets.

Is Hazuki an autumn name?

Hazuki means leaf month and was the old name for August, the start of autumn in the lunar calendar. It is a popular name today.

What are the seven flowers of autumn in Japan?

They are bush clover, pampas grass, kudzu, fringed pink, maiden flower, boneset and bellflower. Names like Hagi, Nadeshiko and Kikyo come from them.