Japanese names that mean star carry hope, guidance and quiet courage, because stars light the way in Japanese stories. The word is hoshi (星), and it appears in given names, surnames, myths and festival legends. This guide gathers 400 Japanese names that mean star, and every entry has real kanji, an easy pronunciation guide and a clear English meaning.
You will find boy, girl and unisex names, rare surnames, 88 constellations, shooting star words and Tanabata terms. Anything we built ourselves from real kanji is marked (creative), so you always know what is traditional. Say each name aloud, check the kanji twice, and choose the one that feels like yours.
Star Meaning In Japanese Names
Japanese names that mean star are built from hoshi (星) and a few related kanji, so learning them helps you read and judge any name. Inside a name, 星 is often read sei or boshi instead of hoshi.
⭐ 星 (hoshi / sei / boshi): star
🌟 昴 (subaru): the Pleiades star cluster
🔮 晶 (akira / shō): crystal, and the old picture of three stars that 星 grew from
🐉 辰 (shin / tatsu): dragon, and an old word for stars, as in 星辰 (seishin)
✨ 煌 (kira / kō): sparkle, glitter
🔭 斗 (to): a dipper, and in names often the Big Dipper
☄️ 彗 (sui): comet, broom star
💫 流 (ryū / nagare): to flow, as in 流星 shooting star
🌌 銀 (gin): silver, as in 銀河 galaxy
🏮 宿 (shuku / boshi): a lodge, used for the 28 star lodges
🧭 北 (hoku / kita): north, as in 北極星 North Star
🌙 月 (tsuki): moon
Good to know:
星 was once written 晶, three small lights, and 生 now only adds the sound sei.
Names like Haruto 陽斗 never use 星, but their 斗 is the Big Dipper kanji, so they still carry a quiet star link.
In given names, 星 can also be read kira, kirari, kirara or akari.
A reading and its kanji are separate, so always confirm the characters before choosing a name.
If you plan to register a child’s name in Japan, the kanji must come from the official approved lists, and 星 is a standard everyday kanji.
Quick pronunciation guide:
Vowels: a = “ah”, i = “ee”, u = “oo”, e = “eh”, o = “oh”.
Hoshi is “hoh-shee,” Sei is “say” and Subaru is “soo-bah-roo.”
A line over a vowel (ō, ū) means hold it twice as long, so Kōsei is “koh-say.”
“Tsu” sounds like the “ts” in “cats” plus “oo.”
Give every syllable equal weight, with no heavy English-style stress.
Japanese Names That Mean Star For Boys

Japanese names that mean star for boys pair 星 with strong endings, and many end in -to (斗), the Big Dipper kanji. Of the 32 below, 22 are real and 10 modern combinations are marked (creative).
- 🌠 Subaru (soo-bah-roo) 昴 Pleiades star cluster
- 🌠 Ryūsei (ryoo-say) 流星 shooting star
- 🌠 Seiya (say-yah) 星矢 star arrow
- 🌠 Seito (say-toh) 星斗 star and Big Dipper
- 🌠 Hokuto (hoh-koo-toh) 北斗 the northern Dipper, the Big Dipper
- 🌠 Taisei (tie-say) 大星 great star
- 🌠 Kōsei (koh-say) 光星 light star
- 🌠 Yūsei (yoo-say) 優星 gentle star
- 🌠 Sōsei (soh-say) 颯星 dashing star
- 🌠 Kaisei (kye-say) 海星 sea star, also the word for starfish
- 🌠 Hoshito (hoh-shee-toh) 星翔 soaring star
- 🌠 Seiichi (say-ee-chee) 星一 star, first son
- 🌠 Seiga (say-gah) 星河 star river, the Milky Way
- 🌠 Seita (say-tah) 星太 star, sturdy
- 🌠 Kaito (kye-toh) 海斗 sea and Big Dipper
- 🌠 Haruto (hah-roo-toh) 陽斗 sunlight and Big Dipper
- 🌠 Yūto (yoo-toh) 優斗 gentle Big Dipper
- 🌠 Hayato (hah-yah-toh) 隼斗 falcon and Big Dipper
- 🌠 Rikuto (ree-koo-toh) 陸斗 land and Big Dipper
- 🌠 Shōto (shoh-toh) 翔斗 soaring Big Dipper
- 🌠 Rento (ren-toh) 蓮斗 lotus and Big Dipper
- 🌠 Sōto (soh-toh) 颯斗 dashing Big Dipper
- 🌠 Seisuke (say-soo-keh) 星介 star helper (creative)
- 🌠 Seiki (say-kee) 星輝 star radiance (creative)
- 🌠 Seigo (say-goh) 星吾 star self (creative)
- 🌠 Seijirō (say-jee-roh) 星次郎 star, second son (creative)
- 🌠 Hoshihiko (hoh-shee-hee-koh) 星彦 star young man (creative)
- 🌠 Hoshimaru (hoh-shee-mah-roo) 星丸 star, with the -maru ending (creative)
- 🌠 Hoshiki (hoh-shee-kee) 星樹 star tree (creative)
- 🌠 Hoshinosuke (hoh-shee-noh-soo-keh) 星之助 star helper, Edo style (creative)
- 🌠 Shōsei (shoh-say) 翔星 soaring star (creative)
- 🌠 Shūsei (shoo-say) 秀星 excellent star (creative)
Japanese Names That Mean Star For Girls
Japanese names that mean star for girls usually pair 星 with soft endings such as -mi, -na, -ka and -ko. Of the 30 below, 15 are real and 15 modern combinations are marked (creative).
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- 💫 Hoshiko (hoh-shee-koh) 星子 child of the stars
- 💫 Hoshimi (hoh-shee-mee) 星美 star beauty
- 💫 Hoshina (hoh-shee-nah) 星奈 star grace
- 💫 Hoshika (hoh-shee-kah) 星香 star fragrance
- 💫 Hoshie (hoh-shee-eh) 星恵 star blessing
- 💫 Hoshiyo (hoh-shee-yoh) 星世 star generation
- 💫 Mihoshi (mee-hoh-shee) 美星 beautiful star
- 💫 Seina (say-nah) 星菜 star greens
- 💫 Seira (say-rah) 星来 star arrival
- 💫 Sera (seh-rah) 星羅 stars spread across the sky
- 💫 Serina (seh-ree-nah) 星里奈 star, village, grace
- 💫 Seika (say-kah) 星花 star flower
- 💫 Seia (say-ah) 星愛 star love
- 💫 Seino (say-noh) 星乃 of the stars
- 💫 Sutera (soo-teh-rah) ステラ Stella, Latin for star
- 💫 Hoshiha (hoh-shee-hah) 星葉 star leaf (creative)
- 💫 Hoshiri (hoh-shee-ree) 星莉 star jasmine (creative)
- 💫 Hoshisa (hoh-shee-sah) 星咲 blooming star (creative)
- 💫 Hoshine (hoh-shee-neh) 星音 star sound (creative)
- 💫 Hoshiran (hoh-shee-rahn) 星蘭 star orchid (creative)
- 💫 Hoshihime (hoh-shee-hee-meh) 星姫 star princess (creative)
- 💫 Hoshiyuki (hoh-shee-yoo-kee) 星雪 star snow (creative)
- 💫 Hoshiaya (hoh-shee-ah-yah) 星綾 star pattern (creative)
- 💫 Hoshimei (hoh-shee-may) 星萌 star sprout (creative)
- 💫 Hoshiyume (hoh-shee-yoo-meh) 星夢 star dream (creative)
- 💫 Hoshikaze (hoh-shee-kah-zeh) 星風 star wind (creative)
- 💫 Seiri (say-ree) 星里 star village (creative)
- 💫 Seiha (say-hah) 星羽 star feather (creative)
- 💫 Seiran (say-rahn) 星藍 star indigo (creative)
- 💫 Kohoshi (koh-hoh-shee) 小星 little star (creative)
Unisex Japanese Names That Mean Star
Unisex Japanese names that mean star are short and bright, so they suit any child or character. Of the 16 below, 9 are real names and readings, and 7 are marked (creative).
- ✨ Sei (say) 星 star
- ✨ Hoshi (hoh-shee) 星 star
- ✨ Kira (kee-rah) 星 star, sparkle
- ✨ Kirari (kee-rah-ree) 星 a glint of starlight
- ✨ Kirara (kee-rah-rah) 星 a sparkling star
- ✨ Akari (ah-kah-ree) 星 star, read as Akari
- ✨ Sora (soh-rah) 星空 starry sky
- ✨ Sui (soo-ee) 彗 comet, broom star
- ✨ Ginga (geen-gah) 銀河 the Milky Way
- ✨ Hoshisuzu (hoh-shee-soo-zoo) 星鈴 star bell (creative)
- ✨ Hoshimichi (hoh-shee-mee-chee) 星道 star path (creative)
- ✨ Hoshiumi (hoh-shee-oo-mee) 星海 star sea (creative)
- ✨ Hoshinami (hoh-shee-nah-mee) 星波 star wave (creative)
- ✨ Seiu (say-oo) 星雨 star rain (creative)
- ✨ Seiyō (say-yoh) 星陽 star and sun (creative)
- ✨ Hoshinagi (hoh-shee-nah-gee) 星凪 star calm (creative)
Japanese Last Names That Mean Star
Among Japanese names that mean star, surnames are the most traditional, because families took their names from places like fields, rivers and shrines. All 30 below are real: 24 family names, then 6 famous people who carry them, though a few surnames are rare.
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- 🏯 Hoshino (hoh-shee-noh) 星野 star field
- 🏯 Hoshikawa (hoh-shee-kah-wah) 星川 star river
- 🏯 Hoshizaki (hoh-shee-zah-kee) 星崎 star cape
- 🏯 Hoshiyama (hoh-shee-yah-mah) 星山 star mountain
- 🏯 Hoshida (hoh-shee-dah) 星田 star rice field
- 🏯 Hoshii (hoh-shee-ee) 星井 star well
- 🏯 Hoshimiya (hoh-shee-mee-yah) 星宮 star shrine
- 🏯 Hoshijima (hoh-shee-jee-mah) 星島 star island
- 🏯 Hoshizawa (hoh-shee-zah-wah) 星沢 star stream
- 🏯 Hoshihara (hoh-shee-hah-rah) 星原 star plain
- 🏯 Hoshimura (hoh-shee-moo-rah) 星村 star village
- 🏯 Hoshide (hoh-shee-deh) 星出 star emerging
- 🏯 Hoshiya (hoh-shee-yah) 星谷 star valley
- 🏯 Hoshimoto (hoh-shee-moh-toh) 星本 star origin
- 🏯 Hoshikubo (hoh-shee-koo-boh) 星久保 star hollow
- 🏯 Hoshiba (hoh-shee-bah) 星場 star place
- 🏯 Hoshio (hoh-shee-oh) 星尾 star ridge
- 🏯 Hoshimori (hoh-shee-moh-ree) 星森 star forest
- 🏯 Hoshioka (hoh-shee-oh-kah) 星岡 star hill
- 🏯 Hoshinuma (hoh-shee-noo-mah) 星沼 star marsh
- 🏯 Hoshikura (hoh-shee-koo-rah) 星倉 star storehouse
- 🏯 Nanase (nah-nah-seh) 七星 seven stars
- 🏯 Akaboshi (ah-kah-boh-shee) 赤星 red star
- 🏯 Ōboshi (oh-boh-shee) 大星 great star
- 🏯 Hoshino Gen (hoh-shee-noh gen) 星野源 singer and actor
- 🏯 Hoshino Michio (hoh-shee-noh mee-chee-oh) 星野道夫 nature photographer known for his Alaska work
- 🏯 Hoshide Akihiko (hoh-shee-deh ah-kee-hee-koh) 星出彰彦 astronaut who commanded the International Space Station
- 🏯 Hoshi Shinichi (hoh-shee sheen-ee-chee) 星新一 science fiction author famous for very short stories
- 🏯 Hoshino Yukinobu (hoh-shee-noh yoo-kee-noh-boo) 星野之宣 science fiction manga artist
- 🏯 Hoshino Tetsurō (hoh-shee-noh teh-tsoo-roh) 星野哲郎 lyricist of enka songs
Unique Japanese Names That Mean Star

These unique Japanese names that mean star skip the 星 kanji and use 晶, 辰 and 曜, or come from myths, poems and star-lit places. All 30 below are real names, words and titles, so each one has a story you can tell.
- 💎 Akira (ah-kee-rah) 晶 crystal, the three-star picture behind 星
- 💎 Shō (shoh) 晶 crystal, sparkle
- 💎 Akiko (ah-kee-koh) 晶子 crystal child
- 💎 Akina (ah-kee-nah) 晶奈 crystal grace
- 💎 Akimi (ah-kee-mee) 晶美 crystal beauty
- 💎 Akihiko (ah-kee-hee-koh) 晶彦 crystal young man
- 💎 Tatsuya (tah-tsoo-yah) 辰也 the dragon one, with the old star word 辰
- 💎 Tatsuki (tah-tsoo-kee) 辰樹 dragon tree
- 💎 Shintarō (sheen-tah-roh) 辰太郎 dragon, eldest son
- 💎 Yō (yoh) 曜 shining, a luminary
- 💎 Yōta (yoh-tah) 曜太 shining and sturdy
- 💎 Yōko (yoh-koh) 曜子 shining child
- 💎 Amatsumikaboshi (ah-mah-tsoo-mee-kah-boh-shee) 天津甕星 the star god of the Nihon Shoki
- 💎 Kagaseo (kah-gah-seh-oh) 香香背男 another name for that star god
- 💎 Hoshigaoka (hoh-shee-gah-oh-kah) 星ヶ丘 Star Hill, a district in Nagoya
- 💎 Hoshino-mura (hoh-shee-noh moo-rah) 星野村 Hoshino Village, a stargazing and tea town in Fukuoka
- 💎 Hoshitōge (hoh-shee-toh-geh) 星峠 Star Pass, known for rice terraces in Niigata
- 💎 Hoshinoya (hoh-shee-noh-yah) 星のや “the star’s lodge,” a resort brand
- 💎 Ginga Tetsudō (geen-gah teh-tsoo-doh) 銀河鉄道 the Galaxy Railroad of Miyazawa Kenji’s famous story
- 💎 Kamupanerura (kah-moo-pah-neh-roo-rah) カムパネルラ Campanella, the friend in that story
- 💎 Jobanni (joh-bahn-nee) ジョバンニ Giovanni, the hero of that story
- 💎 Hoshimeguri no Uta (hoh-shee-meh-goo-ree noh oo-tah) 星めぐりの歌 Song of the Star Tour, by Miyazawa Kenji
- 💎 Sasori no Hi (sah-soh-ree noh hee) さそりの火 the Scorpion’s Fire, a tale inside that story
- 💎 Hoshi no Hayashi (hoh-shee noh hah-yah-shee) 星の林 forest of stars, from the Man’yōshū
- 💎 Tsuki no Fune (tsoo-kee noh foo-neh) 月の船 moon boat, from the same poem
- 💎 Ama no Umi (ah-mah noh oo-mee) 天の海 sea of heaven
- 💎 Ama no Hara (ah-mah noh hah-rah) 天の原 plain of heaven
- 💎 Hoshi no Ōji-sama (hoh-shee noh oh-jee-sah-mah) 星の王子さま The Little Prince
- 💎 Kyūsei (kyoo-say) 九星 the nine stars of Kigaku astrology
- 💎 Shichiyō (shee-chee-yoh) 七曜 the seven luminaries behind the days of the week
Cool Japanese Names That Mean Star
Cool Japanese names that mean star borrow from nebulas, planets and famous star-named heroes, so use the real words as creative picks. The first 29 are real words and characters, and the last 4 are labeled (creative).
- ⚡ Seishin (say-sheen) 星辰 the stars, a poetic word
- ⚡ Seiun (say-oon) 星雲 nebula
- ⚡ Gunsei (goon-say) 群星 a crowd of stars
- ⚡ Chōshinsei (choh-sheen-say) 超新星 supernova
- ⚡ Shinsei (sheen-say) 新星 nova, a newly bright star
- ⚡ Kyōsei (kyoh-say) 巨星 giant star
- ⚡ Rensei (ren-say) 連星 binary star
- ⚡ Henkōsei (hen-koh-say) 変光星 variable star
- ⚡ Ittōsei (eet-toh-say) 一等星 first-magnitude star, the brightest kind
- ⚡ Wakusei (wah-koo-say) 惑星 planet, wandering star
- ⚡ Eisei (ay-say) 衛星 satellite, moon
- ⚡ Kasei (kah-say) 火星 Mars
- ⚡ Mokusei (moh-koo-say) 木星 Jupiter
- ⚡ Dosei (doh-say) 土星 Saturn
- ⚡ Kinsei (keen-say) 金星 Venus
- ⚡ Tennōsei (ten-noh-say) 天王星 Uranus
- ⚡ Kaiōsei (kye-oh-say) 海王星 Neptune
- ⚡ Meiōsei (may-oh-say) 冥王星 Pluto
- ⚡ Hoshino Ai (hoh-shee-noh eye) 星野アイ idol heroine of Oshi no Ko
- ⚡ Hoshino Aqua (hoh-shee-noh ah-kwah) 星野アクア her son in Oshi no Ko
- ⚡ Hoshino Ruby (hoh-shee-noh roo-bee) 星野ルビー her daughter in Oshi no Ko
- ⚡ Hoshimiya Ichigo (hoh-shee-mee-yah ee-chee-goh) 星宮いちご idol heroine of Aikatsu!
- ⚡ Hoshizora Miyuki (hoh-shee-zoh-rah mee-yoo-kee) 星空みゆき heroine of Smile PreCure!
- ⚡ Hoshiumi Kōrai (hoh-shee-oo-mee koh-rye) 星海光来 volleyball ace of Haikyu!!
- ⚡ Natsuki Subaru (nah-tsoo-kee soo-bah-roo) 菜月昴 hero of Re:Zero, named for the Pleiades
- ⚡ Ōboshi Yuranosuke (oh-boh-shee yoo-rah-noh-soo-keh) 大星由良之助 hero of the Chūshingura play
- ⚡ Hoshimachi Suisei (hoh-shee-mah-chee soo-ee-say) 星街すいせい virtual singer, whose name means comet
- ⚡ Fudō Yūsei (foo-doh yoo-say) 不動遊星 hero of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s
- ⚡ Hoshi Hyūma (hoh-shee hyoo-mah) 星飛雄馬 pitcher hero of Star of the Giants
- ⚡ Seiken (say-ken) 星剣 star sword (creative)
- ⚡ Seirō (say-roh) 星狼 star wolf (creative)
- ⚡ Seijin (say-jeen) 星刃 star blade (creative)
- ⚡ Seiō (say-oh) 星王 star king (creative)
Japanese Constellation Names
Japanese constellation names go far beyond the 88 modern ones, from the Four Guardians to the 28 star lodges of old astronomy. The official modern names are written in kana, so no kanji is shown for them.
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The Four Guardians
- 🔭 Seiryū (say-ryoo) 青龍 the Azure Dragon of the east
- 🔭 Suzaku (soo-zah-koo) 朱雀 the Vermilion Bird of the south
- 🔭 Byakko (byah-kkoh) 白虎 the White Tiger of the west
- 🔭 Genbu (gen-boo) 玄武 the Black Tortoise of the north
The 28 Star Lodges
Old astronomy split the sky into 28 lodges, seven for each guardian, and each has an old Japanese reading.
- 🔭 Suboshi (soo-boh-shee) 角宿 the Horn, where Spica shines
- 🔭 Amiboshi (ah-mee-boh-shee) 亢宿 the Neck
- 🔭 Tomoboshi (toh-moh-boh-shee) 氐宿 the Root
- 🔭 Soiboshi (soh-ee-boh-shee) 房宿 the Room
- 🔭 Nakagoboshi (nah-kah-goh-boh-shee) 心宿 the Heart, where Antares glows
- 🔭 Ashitareboshi (ah-shee-tah-reh-boh-shee) 尾宿 the Tail
- 🔭 Miboshi (mee-boh-shee) 箕宿 the Winnowing Basket
- 🔭 Hikitsuboshi (hee-kee-tsoo-boh-shee) 斗宿 the Dipper
- 🔭 Inamiboshi (ee-nah-mee-boh-shee) 牛宿 the Ox
- 🔭 Urukiboshi (oo-roo-kee-boh-shee) 女宿 the Girl
- 🔭 Tomiteboshi (toh-mee-teh-boh-shee) 虚宿 the Emptiness
- 🔭 Umiyameboshi (oo-mee-yah-meh-boh-shee) 危宿 the Rooftop
- 🔭 Hatsuiboshi (hah-tsoo-ee-boh-shee) 室宿 the Encampment
- 🔭 Namameboshi (nah-mah-meh-boh-shee) 壁宿 the Wall
- 🔭 Tokakiboshi (toh-kah-kee-boh-shee) 奎宿 the Legs
- 🔭 Tataraboshi (tah-tah-rah-boh-shee) 婁宿 the Bond
- 🔭 Ekieboshi (eh-kee-eh-boh-shee) 胃宿 the Stomach
- 🔭 Subaruboshi (soo-bah-roo-boh-shee) 昴宿 the Pleiades
- 🔭 Amefuriboshi (ah-meh-foo-ree-boh-shee) 畢宿 the Net, “rain-falling star”
- 🔭 Torokiboshi (toh-roh-kee-boh-shee) 觜宿 the Turtle Beak
- 🔭 Karasukiboshi (kah-rah-soo-kee-boh-shee) 参宿 the Three Stars of Orion
- 🔭 Chichiriboshi (chee-chee-ree-boh-shee) 井宿 the Well
- 🔭 Tamaoboshi (tah-mah-oh-boh-shee) 鬼宿 the Ghost
- 🔭 Nurikoboshi (noo-ree-koh-boh-shee) 柳宿 the Willow
- 🔭 Hotohoriboshi (hoh-toh-hoh-ree-boh-shee) 星宿 the Star
- 🔭 Chirikoboshi (chee-ree-koh-boh-shee) 張宿 the Extended Net
- 🔭 Tasukiboshi (tah-soo-kee-boh-shee) 翼宿 the Wings
- 🔭 Mitsukakeboshi (mee-tsoo-kah-keh-boh-shee) 軫宿 the Chariot
The 88 Modern Constellations
The -za ending means “constellation,” so Orion-za is simply “the constellation Orion.”
- 🔭 Andoromeda-za (ahn-doh-roh-meh-dah-zah) アンドロメダ座 Andromeda
- 🔭 Ponpu-za (pohn-poo-zah) ポンプ座 the Air Pump
- 🔭 Fūchō-za (foo-choh-zah) ふうちょう座 the Bird of Paradise
- 🔭 Mizugame-za (mee-zoo-gah-meh-zah) みずがめ座 the Water Bearer
- 🔭 Washi-za (wah-shee-zah) わし座 the Eagle
- 🔭 Saidan-za (sye-dahn-zah) さいだん座 the Altar
- 🔭 Ohitsuji-za (oh-hee-tsoo-jee-zah) おひつじ座 the Ram
- 🔭 Gyosha-za (gyoh-shah-zah) ぎょしゃ座 the Charioteer
- 🔭 Ushikai-za (oo-shee-kye-zah) うしかい座 the Herdsman
- 🔭 Chōkokugu-za (choh-koh-koo-goo-zah) ちょうこくぐ座 the Engraver’s Tool
- 🔭 Kirin-za (kee-reen-zah) きりん座 the Giraffe
- 🔭 Kani-za (kah-nee-zah) かに座 the Crab
- 🔭 Ryōken-za (ryoh-ken-zah) りょうけん座 the Hunting Dogs
- 🔭 Ōinu-za (oh-ee-noo-zah) おおいぬ座 the Great Dog
- 🔭 Koinu-za (koh-ee-noo-zah) こいぬ座 the Little Dog
- 🔭 Yagi-za (yah-gee-zah) やぎ座 the Sea Goat
- 🔭 Ryūkotsu-za (ryoo-koh-tsoo-zah) りゅうこつ座 the Keel
- 🔭 Kashiopeya-za (kah-shee-oh-peh-yah-zah) カシオペヤ座 Cassiopeia
- 🔭 Kentaurusu-za (ken-tah-oo-roo-soo-zah) ケンタウルス座 the Centaur
- 🔭 Kefeusu-za (keh-feh-oo-soo-zah) ケフェウス座 Cepheus
- 🔭 Kujira-za (koo-jee-rah-zah) くじら座 the Whale
- 🔭 Kamereon-za (kah-meh-reh-ohn-zah) カメレオン座 the Chameleon
- 🔭 Konpasu-za (kohn-pah-soo-zah) コンパス座 the Compass
- 🔭 Hato-za (hah-toh-zah) はと座 the Dove
- 🔭 Kaminoke-za (kah-mee-noh-keh-zah) かみのけ座 Berenice’s Hair
- 🔭 Minami no Kanmuri-za (mee-nah-mee noh kahn-moo-ree-zah) みなみのかんむり座 the Southern Crown
- 🔭 Kanmuri-za (kahn-moo-ree-zah) かんむり座 the Northern Crown
- 🔭 Karasu-za (kah-rah-soo-zah) からす座 the Crow
- 🔭 Koppu-za (kohp-poo-zah) コップ座 the Cup
- 🔭 Minami Jūji-za (mee-nah-mee joo-jee-zah) みなみじゅうじ座 the Southern Cross
- 🔭 Hakuchō-za (hah-koo-choh-zah) はくちょう座 the Swan
- 🔭 Iruka-za (ee-roo-kah-zah) いるか座 the Dolphin
- 🔭 Kajiki-za (kah-jee-kee-zah) かじき座 the Swordfish
- 🔭 Ryū-za (ryoo-zah) りゅう座 the Dragon
- 🔭 Kōma-za (koh-mah-zah) こうま座 the Little Horse
- 🔭 Eridanusu-za (eh-ree-dah-noo-soo-zah) エリダヌス座 the river Eridanus
- 🔭 Ro-za (roh-zah) ろ座 the Furnace
- 🔭 Futago-za (foo-tah-goh-zah) ふたご座 the Twins
- 🔭 Tsuru-za (tsoo-roo-zah) つる座 the Crane
- 🔭 Herukuresu-za (heh-roo-koo-reh-soo-zah) ヘルクレス座 Hercules
- 🔭 Tokei-za (toh-kay-zah) とけい座 the Clock
- 🔭 Umihebi-za (oo-mee-heh-bee-zah) うみへび座 the Sea Serpent
- 🔭 Mizuhebi-za (mee-zoo-heh-bee-zah) みずへび座 the Water Snake
- 🔭 Indian-za (een-dee-ahn-zah) インディアン座 the Indian
- 🔭 Tokage-za (toh-kah-geh-zah) とかげ座 the Lizard
- 🔭 Shishi-za (shee-shee-zah) しし座 the Lion
- 🔭 Kojishi-za (koh-jee-shee-zah) こじし座 the Little Lion
- 🔭 Usagi-za (oo-sah-gee-zah) うさぎ座 the Hare
- 🔭 Tenbin-za (ten-been-zah) てんびん座 the Scales
- 🔭 Ōkami-za (oh-kah-mee-zah) おおかみ座 the Wolf
- 🔭 Yamaneko-za (yah-mah-neh-koh-zah) やまねこ座 the Lynx
- 🔭 Koto-za (koh-toh-zah) こと座 the Lyre
- 🔭 Tēburu-san-za (tay-boo-roo-sahn-zah) テーブルさん座 Table Mountain
- 🔭 Kenbikyō-za (ken-bee-kyoh-zah) けんびきょう座 the Microscope
- 🔭 Ikkakujū-za (eek-kah-koo-joo-zah) いっかくじゅう座 the Unicorn
- 🔭 Hae-za (hah-eh-zah) はえ座 the Fly
- 🔭 Jōgi-za (joh-gee-zah) じょうぎ座 the Carpenter’s Square
- 🔭 Hachibungi-za (hah-chee-boon-gee-zah) はちぶんぎ座 the Octant
- 🔭 Hebitsukai-za (heh-bee-tsoo-kye-zah) へびつかい座 the Serpent Bearer
- 🔭 Orion-za (oh-ree-ohn-zah) オリオン座 Orion
- 🔭 Kujaku-za (koo-jah-koo-zah) くじゃく座 the Peacock
- 🔭 Pegasusu-za (peh-gah-soo-soo-zah) ペガスス座 Pegasus
- 🔭 Peruseusu-za (peh-roo-seh-oo-soo-zah) ペルセウス座 Perseus
- 🔭 Hōō-za (hoh-oh-zah) ほうおう座 the Phoenix
- 🔭 Gaka-za (gah-kah-zah) がか座 the Painter
- 🔭 Uo-za (oo-oh-zah) うお座 the Fishes
- 🔭 Minami no Uo-za (mee-nah-mee noh oo-oh-zah) みなみのうお座 the Southern Fish
- 🔭 Tomo-za (toh-moh-zah) とも座 the Stern
- 🔭 Rashinban-za (rah-sheen-bahn-zah) らしんばん座 the Ship’s Compass
- 🔭 Rechikuru-za (reh-chee-koo-roo-zah) レチクル座 the Net
- 🔭 Ya-za (yah-zah) や座 the Arrow
- 🔭 Ite-za (ee-teh-zah) いて座 the Archer
- 🔭 Sasori-za (sah-soh-ree-zah) さそり座 the Scorpion
- 🔭 Chōkokushitsu-za (choh-koh-koo-shee-tsoo-zah) ちょうこくしつ座 the Sculptor
- 🔭 Tate-za (tah-teh-zah) たて座 the Shield
- 🔭 Hebi-za (heh-bee-zah) へび座 the Serpent
- 🔭 Rokubungi-za (roh-koo-boon-gee-zah) ろくぶんぎ座 the Sextant
- 🔭 Oushi-za (oh-oo-shee-zah) おうし座 the Bull
- 🔭 Bōenkyō-za (boh-en-kyoh-zah) ぼうえんきょう座 the Telescope
- 🔭 Sankaku-za (sahn-kah-koo-zah) さんかく座 the Triangle
- 🔭 Minami no Sankaku-za (mee-nah-mee noh sahn-kah-koo-zah) みなみのさんかく座 the Southern Triangle
- 🔭 Kyoshichō-za (kyoh-shee-choh-zah) きょしちょう座 the Toucan
- 🔭 Ōguma-za (oh-goo-mah-zah) おおぐま座 the Great Bear
- 🔭 Koguma-za (koh-goo-mah-zah) こぐま座 the Little Bear
- 🔭 Ho-za (hoh-zah) ほ座 the Sails
- 🔭 Otome-za (oh-toh-meh-zah) おとめ座 the Maiden
- 🔭 Tobiuo-za (toh-bee-oo-zah) とびうお座 the Flying Fish
- 🔭 Kogitsune-za (koh-gee-tsoo-neh-zah) こぎつね座 the Little Fox
Old Japanese Star Names
- 🔭 Mutsuraboshi (moo-tsoo-rah-boh-shee) 六連星 six linked stars, an old name for the Pleiades
- 🔭 Mitsuboshi (mee-tsoo-boh-shee) 三つ星 three stars, Orion’s Belt
- 🔭 Tsuzumiboshi (tsoo-zoo-mee-boh-shee) 鼓星 drum star, for Orion’s hourglass shape
- 🔭 Nanatsuboshi (nah-nah-tsoo-boh-shee) 七つ星 seven stars, the Big Dipper
- 🔭 Hokuto Shichisei (hoh-koo-toh shee-chee-say) 北斗七星 the seven stars of the Big Dipper
- 🔭 Ne no Hoshi (neh noh hoh-shee) 子の星 star of the north, the old Pole Star
- 🔭 Hokkyokusei (hohk-kyoh-koo-say) 北極星 the North Star
- 🔭 Hokushin (hoh-koo-sheen) 北辰 the North Star in classical speech
- 🔭 Heikeboshi (hay-keh-boh-shee) 平家星 the Heike star, red Betelgeuse
- 🔭 Genjiboshi (gen-jee-boh-shee) 源氏星 the Genji star, white Rigel
- 🔭 Tenrōsei (ten-roh-say) 天狼星 Sirius, the heavenly wolf star
- 🔭 Rōjinsei (roh-jeen-say) 老人星 Canopus, the old man star
- 🔭 Daikakusei (dye-kah-koo-say) 大角星 Arcturus, the great horn star
- 🔭 Shinjuboshi (sheen-joo-boh-shee) 真珠星 Spica, the pearl star
- 🔭 Taihaku (tie-hah-koo) 太白 Venus, the great white
- 🔭 Myōjō (myoh-joh) 明星 the bright star, a name for Venus
- 🔭 Yoi no Myōjō (yoh-ee noh myoh-joh) 宵の明星 the evening star, Venus after sunset
- 🔭 Ake no Myōjō (ah-keh noh myoh-joh) 明けの明星 the morning star, Venus at dawn
- 🔭 Natsu no Daisankakukei (nah-tsoo noh dye-sahn-kah-koo-kay) 夏の大三角形 the Summer Triangle
- 🔭 Fuyu no Daisankakukei (foo-yoo noh dye-sahn-kah-koo-kay) 冬の大三角形 the Winter Triangle
- 🔭 Haru no Daikyokusen (hah-roo noh dye-kyoh-koo-sen) 春の大曲線 the Spring Curve
- 🔭 Myōken (myoh-ken) 妙見 the Buddhist guardian of the North Star
Japanese Names Meaning Shooting Star

Shooting star words in Japanese go far beyond one name, from nagareboshi to comets found by Japanese amateur astronomers. All 27 are real words, meteor showers or space names, and Ryūsei, the most famous one, sits in the boys list.
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- ☄️ Nagareboshi (nah-gah-reh-boh-shee) 流れ星 shooting star, the everyday word
- ☄️ Yobaiboshi (yoh-bye-boh-shee) 夜這星 an old folk word for a shooting star
- ☄️ Tengu-boshi (ten-goo-boh-shee) 天狗星 “tengu star,” an old name for a meteor
- ☄️ Ryūseigun (ryoo-say-goon) 流星群 meteor shower
- ☄️ Ryūseiu (ryoo-say-oo) 流星雨 meteor storm, literally star rain
- ☄️ Rakusei (rah-koo-say) 落星 a fallen star
- ☄️ Kakyū (kah-kyoo) 火球 fireball, a very bright meteor
- ☄️ Inseki (een-seh-kee) 隕石 meteorite
- ☄️ Suisei (soo-ee-say) 彗星 comet
- ☄️ Hōkiboshi (hoh-kee-boh-shee) 箒星 broom star, a folk word for a comet
- ☄️ Futagoza Ryūseigun (foo-tah-goh-zah ryoo-say-goon) ふたご座流星群 the Geminid meteor shower
- ☄️ Shishiza Ryūseigun (shee-shee-zah ryoo-say-goon) しし座流星群 the Leonid meteor shower
- ☄️ Peruseusuza Ryūseigun (peh-roo-seh-oo-soo-zah ryoo-say-goon) ペルセウス座流星群 the Perseid meteor shower
- ☄️ Orionza Ryūseigun (oh-ree-ohn-zah ryoo-say-goon) オリオン座流星群 the Orionid meteor shower
- ☄️ Kotoza Ryūseigun (koh-toh-zah ryoo-say-goon) こと座流星群 the Lyrid meteor shower
- ☄️ Oushiza Ryūseigun (oh-oo-shee-zah ryoo-say-goon) おうし座流星群 the Taurid meteor shower
- ☄️ Ryūza Ryūseigun (ryoo-zah ryoo-say-goon) りゅう座流星群 the Draconid meteor shower
- ☄️ Kogumaza Ryūseigun (koh-goo-mah-zah ryoo-say-goon) こぐま座流星群 the Ursid meteor shower
- ☄️ Hoshi ni Negai o (hoh-shee nee neh-guy oh) 星に願いを wish upon a star
- ☄️ Hoshifuru Yoru (hoh-shee-foo-roo yoh-roo) 星降る夜 a night when stars seem to fall
- ☄️ Harē Suisei (hah-ray soo-ee-say) ハレー彗星 Halley’s Comet
- ☄️ Hyakutake Suisei (hyah-koo-tah-keh soo-ee-say) 百武彗星 Comet Hyakutake, found by amateur Hyakutake Yuji in 1996
- ☄️ Ikeya-Seki Suisei (ee-keh-yah seh-kee soo-ee-say) 池谷・関彗星 Comet Ikeya-Seki, found by two Japanese amateurs in 1965
- ☄️ Hēru-Boppu Suisei (hay-roo bohp-poo soo-ee-say) ヘール・ボップ彗星 Comet Hale-Bopp
- ☄️ Hayabusa (hah-yah-boo-sah) 隼 falcon, the name of Japan’s asteroid sample-return probe
- ☄️ Itokawa (ee-toh-kah-wah) 糸川 the asteroid visited by Hayabusa, named for rocket pioneer Itokawa Hideo
- ☄️ Ryūgū (ryoo-goo) 竜宮 the asteroid visited by Hayabusa2, named for the sea palace of folklore
Tanabata Star Names
Tanabata is Japan’s star festival, and its words make poetic Japanese names that mean star for stories and characters. All 40 below are real words, customs and festivals tied to the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi.
The Lovers And Their Stars
- 🎋 Orihime (oh-ree-hee-meh) 織姫 the weaving princess, the star Vega
- 🎋 Hikoboshi (hee-koh-boh-shee) 彦星 the cowherd star, Altair
- 🎋 Kengyū (ken-gyoo) 牽牛 the ox-herder, an old name for Altair
- 🎋 Shokujo (shoh-koo-joh) 織女 the weaver woman, an old name for Vega
- 🎋 Tanabatatsume (tah-nah-bah-tah-tsoo-meh) 棚機つ女 the weaving maiden of ancient legend
- 🎋 Tentei (ten-tay) 天帝 the Heavenly Emperor, Orihime’s father
- 🎋 Amanogawa (ah-mah-noh-gah-wah) 天の川 the Milky Way, the river between the lovers
- 🎋 Ama no Kawara (ah-mah noh kah-wah-rah) 天の河原 the riverbank of heaven
- 🎋 Kasasagi (kah-sah-sah-gee) 鵲 the magpie
- 🎋 Kasasagi no Hashi (kah-sah-sah-gee noh hah-shee) 鵲の橋 the bridge of magpies
- 🎋 Hoshiai (hoh-shee-eye) 星合 the meeting of the stars
- 🎋 Inoue Orihime (ee-noh-oo-eh oh-ree-hee-meh) 井上織姫 heroine of Bleach, named after the weaving princess
Customs And Festivals
- 🎋 Tanabata (tah-nah-bah-tah) 七夕 the seventh evening
- 🎋 Hoshimatsuri (hoh-shee-mah-tsoo-ree) 星祭り star festival
- 🎋 Shichigatsu Nanoka (shee-chee-gah-tsoo nah-noh-kah) 七月七日 the seventh of July
- 🎋 Kyū-Tanabata (kyoo tah-nah-bah-tah) 旧七夕 old Tanabata by the lunar calendar
- 🎋 Tanabata-sama (tah-nah-bah-tah-sah-mah) 七夕様 the respectful name for the festival
- 🎋 Fumizuki (foo-mee-zoo-kee) 文月 the old name of July
- 🎋 Kikkōden (keek-koh-den) 乞巧奠 the old rite of praying for skill
- 🎋 Tanzaku (tahn-zah-koo) 短冊 the paper strip for a wish
- 🎋 Sasa (sah-sah) 笹 the bamboo grass that holds the wishes
- 🎋 Sasakazari (sah-sah-kah-zah-ree) 笹飾り bamboo decorations
- 🎋 Tanabata-kazari (tah-nah-bah-tah kah-zah-ree) 七夕飾り Tanabata decorations
- 🎋 Fukinagashi (foo-kee-nah-gah-shee) 吹き流し the long streamer
- 🎋 Orizuru (oh-ree-zoo-roo) 折り鶴 paper crane
- 🎋 Kinchaku (keen-chah-koo) 巾着 the small purse for good fortune
- 🎋 Toami (toh-ah-mee) 投網 the fishing net for good catches
- 🎋 Kuzukago (koo-zoo-kah-goh) 屑籠 the trash basket for tidiness
- 🎋 Kamigoromo (kah-mee-goh-roh-moh) 紙衣 paper clothes, a charm for sewing skill
- 🎋 Kajinoha (kah-jee-noh-hah) 梶の葉 paper mulberry leaf, once used to write wishes
- 🎋 Satoimo no Tsuyu (sah-toh-ee-moh noh tsoo-yoo) 里芋の露 taro dew, once used to grind ink
- 🎋 Sōmen (soh-men) 素麺 thin noodles eaten on Tanabata
- 🎋 Hataori (hah-tah-oh-ree) 機織り weaving
- 🎋 Ushikai (oo-shee-kye) 牛飼い cattle herding, Hikoboshi’s work
- 🎋 Sairui-u (sye-roo-ee oo) 洒涙雨 the rain of tears that falls on July 7
- 🎋 Sensha-u (sen-shah oo) 洗車雨 rain said to wash Hikoboshi’s cart
- 🎋 Sendai Tanabata Matsuri (sen-dye tah-nah-bah-tah mah-tsoo-ree) 仙台七夕まつり Sendai’s famous Tanabata festival
- 🎋 Shōnan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri (shoh-nahn hee-rah-tsoo-kah tah-nah-bah-tah mah-tsoo-ree) 湘南ひらつか七夕まつり Hiratsuka’s Tanabata festival
- 🎋 Ichinomiya Tanabata Matsuri (ee-chee-noh-mee-yah tah-nah-bah-tah mah-tsoo-ree) 一宮七夕まつり Ichinomiya’s Tanabata festival
- 🎋 Tanabata Densetsu (tah-nah-bah-tah den-seh-tsoo) 七夕伝説 the Tanabata legend
Star Words Rarely Used As Names
These star words are everyday Japanese, but almost nobody uses them as given names. All 20 are real, so use them for pen names, characters or quiet inspiration.
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- 🌟 Hoshikuzu (hoh-shee-koo-zoo) 星屑 stardust
- 🌟 Hoshikage (hoh-shee-kah-geh) 星影 starlight
- 🌟 Hoshiakari (hoh-shee-ah-kah-ree) 星明かり the glow of stars
- 🌟 Hoshizukiyo (hoh-shee-zoo-kee-yoh) 星月夜 a night bright with stars
- 🌟 Hoshiuranai (hoh-shee-oo-rah-nye) 星占い horoscope
- 🌟 Ichibanboshi (ee-chee-bahn-boh-shee) 一番星 the first star of the evening
- 🌟 Kiraboshi (kee-rah-boh-shee) 綺羅星 glittering stars
- 🌟 Seiza (say-zah) 星座 constellation
- 🌟 Seidan (say-dahn) 星団 star cluster
- 🌟 Hoshigata (hoh-shee-gah-tah) 星形 star shape
- 🌟 Manten (mahn-ten) 満天 a sky full of stars
- 🌟 Gingan (geen-gahn) 銀漢 the Milky Way, a haiku word
- 🌟 Kyakusei (kyah-koo-say) 客星 guest star, an old word for a sudden new star
- 🌟 Kissei (kees-say) 吉星 lucky star
- 🌟 Seisō (say-soh) 星霜 years passing, “stars and frost”
- 🌟 Seikin (say-keen) 星菫 stars and violets, a romantic poetic word
- 🌟 Seibō (say-boh) 星眸 bright, starry eyes
- 🌟 Zuisei (zoo-ee-say) 瑞星 auspicious star
- 🌟 Shiroboshi (shee-roh-boh-shee) 白星 white star, a win in sumo
- 🌟 Kuroboshi (koo-roh-boh-shee) 黒星 black star, a loss in sumo
Quick Reference: Japanese Star Names At A Glance
This list shows every section of Japanese names that mean star with its count and best use. Use it to jump straight to the kind of name you need.
🌠 Boys: 32 names (22 real, 10 creative), best for strong and classic choices
💫 Girls: 30 names (15 real, 15 creative), best for soft and gentle choices
✨ Unisex: 16 names (9 real, 7 creative), best for any child
🏯 Last Names: 30 real (24 surnames, 6 famous bearers), best for family names and fiction
💎 Unique: 30 real names, words and titles, best for rare and poetic picks
⚡ Cool: 33 names (29 real, 4 creative), best for gamer tags and characters
🔭 Constellations: 142 real (4 guardians, 28 lodges, 88 modern, 22 old names), best for pets and pen names
☄️ Shooting Star: 27 real words and space names, best for dreamers
🎋 Tanabata: 40 real words, customs and festivals, best for romantic stories
🌟 Rarely Used: 20 real words, best for fresh character names
🎯 Total: 400 names (364 real, 36 labeled creative)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular Japanese names that mean star?
Subaru, Ryūsei, Seiya and Hoshimi are well known, and Kaito and Haruto hide the Big Dipper kanji 斗.
What is the Japanese word used in Japanese names that mean star?
The word is hoshi (星), and inside names it is often read sei.
Do all Japanese names that mean star contain the kanji 星?
No, many Japanese names that mean star use other kanji, like Subaru 昴, Kaito 海斗 and Akira 晶.
Which last names are among Japanese names that mean star?
Hoshino (星野), Hoshikawa (星川) and Hoshida (星田) are real examples.
How is Tanabata linked to Japanese names that mean star?
Tanabata is the July 7 festival when the stars Orihime and Hikoboshi are said to meet, and its words give many poetic names.
Final Thoughts
Japanese names that mean star are really names about hope, guidance and quiet courage. From hoshi (星) to Subaru, the 28 star lodges and the Tanabata lovers, each choice carries a piece of the night sky. You now have 400 names with kanji, meanings and pronunciation, from real baby names to clearly labeled creative picks. Use the boy, girl and unisex lists when you want authenticity, and the constellation and Tanabata sections when you want something poetic. Always check the kanji and say the name aloud before you commit. Whichever you pick, may it shine as steadily as the stars behind it.

Founder of TheNameVibe.com where every name tells a story. Passionate about names, their meanings, and the vibes they carry.
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