360+ japanese Names That Mean Ghost [Boys, Girls & Unisex] | Unique & Cool 

Have you ever wanted Japanese names that mean ghost or that feels mysterious, dark, and a little supernatural, but still sounds beautiful?

Finding a name connected to a ghost, spirit, or Japanese folklore can be harder than it looks.

In this guide, you will find 360+ Japanese ghost name ideas for boys, girls, unisex use, characters, usernames, stories, games, and creative projects.

You will also learn the difference between real Japanese words such as yūrei, yōkai, obake, and onryō, so you can choose a name for its meaning and not just its spooky sound.

What Japanese Words Actually Mean Ghost or Spirit?

Before choosing a name, there is one important thing to know.

Japanese does not have hundreds of normal personal names that literally mean ghost.

Words connected with ghosts usually come from Japanese folklore, religion, stories, and supernatural traditions.

Here are some useful terms:

• Yūrei (幽霊) means ghost or spirit of a dead person.
• Rei (霊) means spirit or soul.
• Bōrei (亡霊) means ghost or departed spirit.
• Onryō (怨霊) refers to a vengeful spirit.
• Obake (お化け) means a ghost or supernatural creature.
• Yōkai (妖怪) is a broad word for supernatural beings in Japanese folklore.
• Mononoke (物の怪) refers to a mysterious supernatural being or spirit.

Because these words are not normal first names, some ideas below are creative Japanese inspired names rather than traditional Japanese given names.

That distinction matters if you want cultural accuracy.

Japanese Names That Mean Ghost for Boys

If you want a masculine name with a dark supernatural feeling, these ideas can work well for a fictional character, game character, username, or story.

Some are based on Japanese ghost vocabulary, while others combine Japanese words connected with night, shadow, spirit, death, and mystery.

1. Yūrei
2. Rei
3. Bōrei
4. Onryō
5. Obake
6. Yōkai
7. Mononoke
8. Reikon
9. Seirei
10. Yūkon
11. Kage
12. Kuro
13. Yami
14. Mayoi
15. Kurayami
16. Meifu
17. Meikai
18. Shiryō
19. Shikon
20. Tamashii
21. Reimei
22. Reika
23. Reiji
24. Reito
25. Reiya
26. Reijiro
27. Kageya
28. Kagemori
29. Kagehiko
30. Kageo
31. Kuroya
32. Kuroto
33. Kurohiko
34. Yamikage
35. Yamikazu
36. Yamikai
37. Yūma
38. Yūto
39. Yūsei
40. Yūji
41. Yūki
42. Seiya
43. Seito
44. Seiji
45. Seiran
46. Shirokage
47. Kagehisa
48. Kageaki
49. Reishin
50. Reishō
51. Reiken
52. Reizan
53. Yōshin
54. Yōrei
55. Bōshin
56. Onrei
57. Kurojin
58. Yamikō
59. Kageyuki
60. Reikō
61. Shigure
62. Kuronagi
63. Yamikaze
64. Reikage

Japanese Names That Mean Ghost for Girls

Looking for a beautiful ghost name for a girl?

You can choose something that feels mysterious without making the name sound frightening.

These ideas mix concepts such as spirit, moon, shadow, mist, night, and silence.

1. Yūrei
2. Reika
3. Reina
4. Reiko
5. Reimi
6. Reinae
7. Seirei
8. Yūka
9. Yūri
10. Yūna
11. Yūmei
12. Yōka
13. Yōri
14. Yōna
15. Kageko
16. Kageha
17. Kagemi
18. Kageyui
19. Kagehana
20. Kuroha
21. Kuroe
22. Kuromi
23. Kuromi
24. Yamika
25. Yamiyo
26. Yamine
27. Yamiko
28. Kurayuki
29. Kurahana
30. Kurone
31. Shizuka
32. Shizumi
33. Shiori
34. Shion
35. Tsukiyo
36. Tsukikage
37. Tsukimi
38. Tsukina
39. Tsukika
40. Obake
41. Mononoke
42. Reishika
43. Reihana
44. Reiyuna
45. Reiyui
46. Reikae
47. Reiyoko
48. Seika
49. Seina
50. Seira
51. Seiyu
52. Yamikawa
53. Kageyuna
54. Kagehime
55. Kurotsuki
56. Yūzuki
57. Yozora
58. Yoruha
59. Yoruemi
60. Yoruya
61. Mistuki
62. Shiroyami
63. Reitsuki
64. Yamikiri

Japanese First Names That Mean Ghost

There is an important difference between a Japanese first name and a Japanese word connected with ghosts.

A word such as Yūrei means ghost, but it is not a standard Japanese personal name.

If you need a fictional first name, though, you can use ghost inspired ideas like these.

1. Reiji
2. Reika
3. Reiko
4. Reito
5. Reiya
6. Reimi
7. Reina
8. Reijiro
9. Yūji
10. Yūki
11. Yūto
12. Yūna
13. Yūri
14. Yūka
15. Yūsei
16. Yūma
17. Yūzuki
18. Seiji
19. Seira
20. Seiya
21. Seina
22. Seiko
23. Seito
24. Shion
25. Shiori
26. Shizuka
27. Shizumi
28. Kageya
29. Kagehiko
30. Kageko
31. Kageha
32. Kagemi
33. Kuroto
34. Kuroha
35. Kuroe
36. Kuromi
37. Yamika
38. Yamiko
39. Yamine
40. Yoruha
41. Yoruemi
42. Yozora
43. Tsukiyo
44. Tsukina
45. Tsukimi
46. Tsukika
47. Reihana
48. Reiyui
49. Reiyuna
50. Reitsuki
51. Yōka
52. Yōri
53. Yōna
54. Reishin
55. Reiken
56. Reizan
57. Reishō
58. Reikō
59. Kageyuki
60. Kuronagi
61. Yamikaze
62. Shigure
63. Kurayuki
64. Kurotsuki

Read More; 350+ Japanese Names That Mean Life For Boys, Girls, First, Last & More

Japanese Last Names That Mean Ghost

This section needs extra care.

There are not 60 genuine Japanese surnames that literally mean ghost.

Japanese surnames usually come from places, nature, occupations, plants, geography, or family history.

So these are fictional surname ideas inspired by ghost themes, not a claim that they are traditional Japanese family names.

1. Kagemori
2. Kageyama
3. Kagekawa
4. Kagehara
5. Kagezawa
6. Kageishi
7. Kageyuki
8. Kuromori
9. Kurokawa
10. Kuroyama
11. Kurohara
12. Kurosawa
13. Kuroishi
14. Kurayama
15. Kurakawa
16. Kurahara
17. Kuramori
18. Yamikawa
19. Yamizawa
20. Yamahara
21. Yamamori
22. Yamikawa
23. Yoruya
24. Yorukawa
25. Yorihara
26. Tsukikawa
27. Tsukiyama
28. Tsukimori
29. Tsukihara
30. Reimori
31. Reikawa
32. Reiyama
33. Reihara
34. Reizawa
35. Reishi
36. Reikawa
37. Yōkaishi
38. Yōkamori
39. Yōkayama
40. Obakemori
41. Obakeyama
42. Obakehara
43. Mononokemori
44. Mononokeyama
45. Bōreimori
46. Bōreiyama
47. Onryōmori
48. Onryōyama
49. Kagegawa
50. Kagehira
51. Kagefune
52. Kagekura
53. Kurokura
54. Kurofune
55. Yamikura
56. Yamikoshi
57. Kurakoshi
58. Reikura
59. Reifune
60. Yōkaura
61. Kageura
62. Kurozaki
63. Yorizaki
64. Tsukizaki

Unique Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

Want something that feels less common?

These names lean into mist, shadows, moonlight, silence, and spirit folklore.

They work especially well for fictional characters and fantasy settings.

1. Yamikage
2. Kageboshi
3. Reikage
4. Yūkon
5. Reikon
6. Shikon
7. Seirei
8. Shiryō
9. Bōrei
10. Onryō
11. Mononoke
12. Yōkai
13. Obake
14. Kurayami
15. Yamikaze
16. Kurotsuki
17. Tsukikage
18. Yoruakari
19. Yozukage
20. Kageboshi
21. Reitsuki
22. Reikiri
23. Reikumo
24. Kagekumo
25. Yamikumo
26. Kurakumo
27. Shirokage
28. Kurokage
29. Yūgure
30. Tasogare
31. Yoiyami
32. Yoinokage
33. Kuronagi
34. Yaminagi
35. Kagenami
36. Reizan
37. Reishin
38. Reiken
39. Reishō
40. Reikō
41. Yōrei
42. Yōshin
43. Onrei
44. Bōshin
45. Kagehane
46. Kageyuki
47. Kagehisa
48. Kageaki
49. Yamikiri
50. Kurayuki
51. Yamikawa
52. Reikawa
53. Reihana
54. Reiyui
55. Yoruha
56. Yoruemi
57. Tsukina
58. Tsukiyo
59. Shion
60. Shigure
61. Mistuki
62. Kuroha
63. Yozora
64. Kagehime

Cool Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

A cool ghost name does not have to sound scary.

Think about the feeling you want.

A quiet spirit might need a soft name, while a powerful supernatural character could use something darker.

1. Kage
2. Kuro
3. Yami
4. Yūrei
5. Onryō
6. Bōrei
7. Yōkai
8. Obake
9. Reikon
10. Seirei
11. Reikage
12. Kurokage
13. Yamikage
14. Kageboshi
15. Kurotsuki
16. Tsukikage
17. Kuronagi
18. Yaminagi
19. Yamikaze
20. Kagekaze
21. Kagehane
22. Reiken
23. Reizan
24. Reishin
25. Reishō
26. Reikō
27. Yōrei
28. Yōshin
29. Shiryō
30. Shikon
31. Yūkon
32. Yūgure
33. Tasogare
34. Yoiyami
35. Yozukage
36. Kagekumo
37. Yamikumo
38. Kurakumo
39. Reikumo
40. Shirokage
41. Yozora
42. Tsukiyo
43. Reitsuki
44. Kurayuki
45. Kageyuki
46. Yoruha
47. Yamikiri
48. Kuroha
49. Reihana
50. Reiyui
51. Reiyuna
52. Yūzuki
53. Shigure
54. Shion
55. Kagehiko
56. Kagemori
57. Kageyama
58. Kuromori
59. Kuroyama
60. Yamikawa
61. Reimori
62. Reiyama
63. Kurozaki
64. Kagezaki

Unisex Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

If you want a name that can work for boys or girls, focus more on the feeling than gender.

This is especially useful for game characters, fantasy characters, usernames, and fictional stories.

1. Rei
2. Yūrei
3. Reikon
4. Seirei
5. Yūkon
6. Kage
7. Kuro
8. Yami
9. Yōkai
10. Obake
11. Mononoke
12. Bōrei
13. Onryō
14. Shikon
15. Shiryō
16. Shion
17. Shigure
18. Yozora
19. Tsukiyo
20. Tsukimi
21. Tsukina
22. Yūzuki
23. Yoruha
24. Yoruemi
25. Reitsuki
26. Reihana
27. Reiyui
28. Reiyuna
29. Reika
30. Reina
31. Reimi
32. Yūka
33. Yūri
34. Yūna
35. Yūki
36. Yūsei
37. Yūma
38. Seira
39. Seiya
40. Seina
41. Kageha
42. Kagemi
43. Kageyuki
44. Kuroha
45. Kuroe
46. Kuromi
47. Yamika
48. Yamine
49. Yamikage
50. Reikage
51. Kurotsuki
52. Tsukikage
53. Kuronagi
54. Yamikaze
55. Kagekumo
56. Reikumo
57. Yozukage
58. Shirokage
59. Kurayuki
60. Yūgure
61. Tasogare
62. Yoiyami
63. Kagenami
64. Yaminagi

How to Choose Right Japanese Names that Mean Ghost 

Choosing between 360+ names can get confusing.

Start with the feeling you want.

For a scary character: Try Onryō, Bōrei, Shiryō, or Yamikage.

For a mysterious character: Try Reikage, Kage, Yozukage, or Kuronagi.

For a soft supernatural character: Try Yūzuki, Tsukiyo, Shion, or Reihana.

For a powerful fantasy character: Try Yōkai, Mononoke, Onryō, or Reikon.

One tip I always use with unusual names is to say the name out loud several times.

Does it sound natural?

Does it fit the character?

Can someone remember it after hearing it once?

Those small checks can save you from choosing a name that looks cool on a screen but feels awkward when spoken.

How to Make a Ghost Name More Personal

You can also connect the name with your character’s personality.

A quiet character might fit a shadow, moon, or mist theme.

A dangerous spirit might fit a vengeful spirit or darkness theme.

A friendly ghost could use a softer name linked with the night sky or moonlight.

For a username, shorter choices such as Rei, Kage, Yami, or Kuro are easier to remember.

For a story, a longer name can give the character more personality.

Final Thoughts on Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

Finding a good Japanese ghost name is not only about picking the darkest sounding word.

It is also about understanding what the word means and whether it is a real Japanese name or a creative name inspired by Japanese ghost folklore.

The list above gives you 360+ ideas across masculine, feminine, unisex, first name, surname, unique, and cool categories.

If cultural accuracy matters for your project, check the Japanese kanji, reading, and meaning before using a name as a real person’s name.

Which one would you choose for a ghost character?

Share your favorite in the comments.

FAQs About Japanese Names That Mean Ghost

What Japanese name means ghost?

The Japanese word yūrei (幽霊) means ghost or the spirit of a dead person.

It is a Japanese ghost word used in folklore and stories, not a common Japanese personal name.

If you are looking for Japanese names that mean ghost, keep in mind that many options found online are creative names inspired by Japanese ghosts rather than traditional given names.

What Japanese word means evil spirit?

Onryō (怨霊) means a vengeful spirit or angry ghost.

It is often linked with spirits that return because of strong resentment or an unresolved grudge.

If you want a Japanese name meaning evil spirit, onryō is better understood as a folklore term than as a normal personal name.

What does Yūrei mean in Japanese?

Yūrei (幽霊) means ghost or the spirit of someone who has died.

The word is closely tied to Japanese ghost stories, folklore, and supernatural beliefs.

If you are searching for Japanese ghost names, yūrei is one of the most useful Japanese words to know.

What does Rei mean in Japanese?

Rei (霊) can mean spirit, soul, or supernatural being, depending on the context.

The meaning can change when different kanji are used.

So, if you are looking for a Japanese name related to ghosts or spirits, do not assume that every name pronounced “Rei” has the meaning of ghost.

Are these real Japanese names that mean ghost?

Not all of them.

Some are genuine Japanese words for ghosts and spirits, while others are real names that use kanji connected with spirits, and some are creative ghost inspired names.

There are not hundreds of traditional Japanese personal names that literally mean ghost.

Checking the kanji, Japanese reading, and real name usage is important before choosing one.