Japanese Names That Mean Arrow

The Japanese word for arrow is ya (矢), and many names use this kanji. Popular examples include Kazuya (harmony arrow), Shinya (true arrow), Takaya (noble arrow), Tomoya (wise arrow), Masaya (graceful arrow), Maya (true arrow), Saya (silk arrow) and the surname Yano (arrow field). Most arrow names are written with 矢, which often appears as the ending -ya.

What Does Arrow Mean in Japan?

In Japan, an arrow stands for focus, honesty, speed and a straight path. Archery is an old warrior art and a spiritual practice known as kyudo.

Arrows also appear in Shinto shrines. Sacred arrows called hamaya are given out at New Year to ward off evil.

Ya: The Core Arrow Kanji

The kanji 矢 is read ya and means arrow. It is short, strong and easy to combine with other kanji.

It can also be read shi in some compounds. That reading gives names like Isshi, though most people use the -ya form.

Boy Names That Mean Arrow

• Kazuya (和矢): harmony arrow
• Shinya (真矢): true arrow
• Takaya (貴矢): noble arrow
• Tomoya (智矢): wise arrow
• Masaya (雅矢): graceful arrow
• Yuya (勇矢): brave arrow
• Ryuya (龍矢): dragon arrow
• Hiroya (広矢): wide arrow
• Ichiya (一矢): one arrow
• Haruya (春矢): spring arrow
• Kaya (海矢): sea arrow, used as a modern boy name
• Seiya (星矢): star arrow

Girl Names That Mean Arrow

• Maya (真矢): true arrow
• Saya (紗矢): silk arrow
• Sayaka (紗矢香): silk arrow fragrance
• Kaya (香矢): fragrant arrow
• Miya (美矢): beautiful arrow
• Hinaya (陽菜矢): sun, greens and arrow
• Ayaya (彩矢): colorful arrow
• Mayu (真矢結): true arrow tie, a rare spelling

Some of these names have other common kanji meanings, so always confirm which characters are used.

Unisex Arrow Names

• Kaya
• Maya
• Saya
• Haya (颯矢): swift arrow
• Aya (彩矢): colorful arrow

Names From Archery

Archery gives Japan many strong naming ideas.

• Yumi (弓): bow
• Yumiya (弓矢): bow and arrow
• Azusa (梓): catalpa wood, used for traditional bows
• Mato (的): target
• Hamaya (破魔矢): demon-breaking arrow

Yumi and Azusa are popular real names. Mato and Hamaya are better as nicknames or character names.

Names From Famous Archers

• Yoichi (与一): from Nasu no Yoichi, a famous archer of the 12th century
• Tametomo (為朝): from Minamoto no Tametomo, a legendary bowman
• Hachiman (八幡): the god of war and archery

Yoichi is the best choice if you want a name that honors a real hero of archery.

Names That Show Speed and Aim

These names do not mean arrow, but they share its spirit.

• Hayate (疾風): swift wind
• Hayato (隼人): falcon person
• Sou (颯): refreshing, swift
• Ren (蓮): lotus, often chosen for a calm and focused feel
• Tadashi (正): correct, straight

Japanese Surnames That Mean Arrow

• Yano (矢野): arrow field
• Yabe (矢部): arrow section
• Yajima (矢島): arrow island
• Yazawa (矢沢): arrow marsh
• Yabuki (矢吹): arrow blow
• Yamaya (山矢): mountain arrow
• Yahagi (矢作): arrow maker
• Yashiro (矢代): arrow substitute

Yahagi is especially meaningful because it points to the old craft of making arrows.

Arrow Names in Anime and Pop Culture

• Seiya: hero of Saint Seiya
• Shinya Kogami: detective in Psycho-Pass
• Kazuya Mishima: fighter in the Tekken series
• Ryuya: used in many fantasy stories

Arrow Kanji You Can Combine

• 矢: arrow
• 弓: bow
• 真: true
• 紗: silk
• 和: harmony
• 貴: noble
• 智: wisdom
• 勇: courage

Pairing 矢 with a virtue kanji is how most arrow names are created.

How to Choose an Arrow Name

• Pick the kanji first, since it fixes the meaning
• Check that the reading is clear
• Say the full name with the surname
• Choose a virtue that fits your wish for the child
• Confirm the kanji is allowed for names in Japan

FAQs

What Japanese name means arrow?

Names built on the kanji 矢 mean arrow. Kazuya, Shinya, Takaya, Tomoya and Maya are popular examples.

What is the Japanese word for arrow?

The word is ya, written 矢. Bow is yumi (弓), and bow and arrow together is yumiya (弓矢).

What does Shinya mean?

Shinya written as 真矢 means true arrow. It can also be written with other kanji, so the meaning depends on the characters chosen.

What does Kazuya mean?

Kazuya written as 和矢 means harmony arrow. Other spellings exist, so check the kanji.

What Japanese girl name means arrow?

Maya (真矢), Saya (紗矢) and Sayaka (紗矢香) are girl names that include the arrow kanji.

What does Seiya mean?

Seiya written as 星矢 means star arrow. It became widely known through the anime Saint Seiya.

What is a Japanese name for archer?

Yoichi is the name of the famous archer Nasu no Yoichi. The Japanese word for archer is kyujin or yumitori, though these are not used as names.

What is Kyudo?

Kyudo is the Japanese art of archery. It focuses on form, calm and spirit as much as hitting the target.

What does the surname Yano mean?

Yano is written 矢野 and means arrow field. It is a common Japanese surname.

What is a hamaya?

A hamaya is a sacred arrow sold at Shinto shrines around New Year. People keep it at home to ward off bad luck and evil.