520+ Samurai Names: Legendary Male, Female & Clan Ideas from History

Samurai names carry the weight of honor, loyalty, and centuries of Japanese tradition. Each name tells a story of valor, discipline, and the timeless spirit of the warrior class.

From legendary male swordsmen to fierce female warriors and noble clans, these names reflect the strength and grace that defined the samurai way of life. Their legacy still inspires modern culture and storytelling today.

Male Samurai Names

• Ryuzen
• Takemaru
• Kenshiro
• Daizen
• Hirotaka
• Masanori
• Arata
• Jubei
• Raizo
• Tetsuya
• Katsuro
• Nobuhide
• Shinzo
• Renjiro
• Yukimura
• Isamu
• Haruto
• Kenjiro
• Masato
• Ryunosuke
• Hideaki
• Satoru
• Kaito
• Naomichi
• Kazuhiko
• Tadashi
• Toranosuke
• Keisuke
• Akihiko
• Hayato
• Michio
• Sadao
• Tomohiro
• Yorikane
• Fumihiro
• Kojiro
• Ritsuo
• Shigeru
• Kazuma
• Masaki
• Toshiro
• Genji
• Renzo
• Naotaka
• Hikaru
• Yamato
• Taigen

Female Samurai Names (Onna-Bugeisha)

• Akeno
• Tomoe
• Kaede
• Sayaka
• Reika
• Hina
• Ayaka
• Chiyo
• Kiyomi
• Rinako
• Satsuki
• Miyako
• Natsumi
• Rina
• Asami
• Yuzuki
• Emiko
• Kanna
• Haruka
• Megumi
• Suzume
• Tsubaki
• Noriko
• Ayame
• Keiko
• Misaki
• Naomi
• Yori
• Akemi
• Sachiko
• Fuyuko
• Mariko
• Hanae
• Izumi
• Ayano
• Riko
• Nanami
• Takara
• Sumire
• Hitomi
• Kurenai
• Mai
• Yumi
• Airi

Samurai Clan Names

• Takeda
• Oda
• Mori
• Tokugawa
• Date
• Uesugi
• Shimazu
• Hojo
• Imagawa
• Sanada
• Asakura
• Chosokabe
• Hatakeyama
• Saito
• Amago
• Nanbu
• Ii
• Kikkawa
• Hosokawa
• Akamatsu
• Mogami
• Rokkaku
• Tsutsui
• Otomo
• Arima
• Akechi
• Kuroda
• Hachisuka
• Ryujo
• Sakai
• Matsunaga
• Miyoshi
• Toki
• Ouchi
• Kusunoki
• Nitta
• Yamanouchi
• Hattori
• Kiso
• Ando
• Ashina
• Satake
• Tendo
• Inoue
• Okita
• Saionji
• Yagyu
• Hoshina
• Hineno

Unisex Samurai Names

• Akira
• Haru
• Ren
• Ryo
• Makoto
• Sora
• Hikaru
• Nao
• Kaoru
• Rei
• Yuu
• Michi
• Aki
• Tomo
• Jun
• Kyo
• Natsu
• Minori
• Ritsu
• Asa
• Shin
• Tsubasa
• Nobu
• Kimi
• Fuyu
• Yori
• Ayumu
• Sayo
• Chiharu
• Itsuki
• Noa
• Kuni
• Shion
• Eri
• Toki
• Izumi
• Kaname
• Taiki
• Ruka
• Hoshi
• Nagi
• Yua
• Haku
• Kai
• Mirai

Samurai Anime Names

• Kenshin – from Rurouni Kenshin, the wandering swordsman with a pure heart.
• Jin – the calm and disciplined ronin from Samurai Champloo.
• Mugen – a wild and unpredictable warrior, also from Samurai Champloo.
• Goemon – based on Lupin the Third’s noble samurai thief.
• Afro – from Afro Samurai, symbolizing vengeance and justice.
• Jubei Kibagami – the skilled ninja-samurai from Ninja Scroll.
• Saito Hajime – the stoic swordsman from Rurouni Kenshin.
• Shishio Makoto – a ruthless and fiery villain samurai from Rurouni Kenshin.
• Kanda Yuu – the mysterious exorcist swordsman from D.Gray-man.
• Ichigo Kurosaki – the sword-wielding Soul Reaper from Bleach.
• Zoro – the three-sword style samurai from One Piece.
• Sesshomaru – the proud and powerful demon swordsman from Inuyasha.
• Inuyasha – the half-demon with a heart of gold and a sacred sword.
• Gintoki Sakata – the lazy yet heroic samurai from Gintama.
• Hijikata Toushirou – vice-commander of the Shinsengumi in Gintama
• Sougo Okita – the sharp-tongued swordsman from Gintama.
• Roronoa Tatsuya – inspired by classic anime samurai archetypes.
• Okita Souji – a legendary swordsman, reimagined in many anime.
• Kyo Kusanagi – fiery and fierce, often portrayed as a modern samurai.
• Raiden – the disciplined fighter with a lightning blade.
• Haruka – graceful and serene, embodying the samurai spirit.
• Satsuki Kiryuuin – the regal warrior from Kill la Kill.
• Kenshiro – from Fist of the North Star, a stoic martial hero.
• Byakuya Kuchiki – noble and elegant with deadly precision.
• Tengen Uzui – the flamboyant Sound Hashira from Demon Slayer.
• Kyojuro Rengoku – the passionate Flame Hashira.
• Giyu Tomioka – calm and disciplined Water Hashira.
• Shinobu Kocho – the graceful Insect Hashira.
• Mitsuri Kanroji – the cheerful and strong Love Hashira.
• Yoriichi Tsugikuni – the most powerful samurai in Demon Slayer history.
• Tanjiro Kamado – the kind-hearted samurai-in-training.
• Zenitsu Agatsuma – the reluctant yet fierce swordsman.
• Inosuke Hashibira – the wild and fearless fighter.
• Nobunaga Hazama – a composed assassin from Hunter x Hunter.
• Ryu Hayabusa – ninja-samurai hybrid from Ninja Gaiden.
• Haku – a beautiful and tragic warrior from Naruto.
• Kakashi Hatake – calm, wise, and deadly with a blade
• Sasuke Uchiha – vengeance-driven warrior of pride.
• Madara Uchiha – legendary swordsman and tactician.
• Itachi Uchiha – silent protector with samurai-like honor.
• Yahiko – from Rurouni Kenshin, inspired by samurai ideals.
• Kaoru Kamiya – the strong dojo leader and swordswoman.
• Shura – fierce and confident female samurai archetype.
• Genos – cyber-samurai from One Punch Man.
• Yato – a sword-wielding god from Noragami.
• Ragna the Bloodedge – dark hero with a samurai’s resolve.
• Yukimura Sanada – historical figure reimagined in many anime.

Samurai Names from Mythology & Pop Culture

• Susanoo – the storm god known for slaying serpents with his blade.
• Amaterasu – goddess of the sun, often linked to divine sword legends.
• Tsukuyomi – the moon god, calm and mysterious like a shadow samurai.
• Raijin – god of thunder, symbolizing fierce power in battle.
• Fujin – god of wind, swift and unstoppable.
• Hachiman – the god of war and protector of samurai.
• Masamune – the legendary swordsmith whose blades shaped samurai history.
• Muramasa – creator of cursed but powerful swords.
• Benkei – the warrior monk famed for his loyalty and strength.
• Tomoe Gozen – legendary female samurai from Japan’s Heian era.
• Minamoto – from the noble Minamoto clan of early samurai legends.
• Yoshitsune – tragic hero and brilliant tactician of samurai lore.
• Jimmu – the mythical first emperor of Japan, blessed by gods.
• Oda Nobunaga – historic warlord who shaped Japan’s unification.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu – founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi – master strategist and unifier of Japan.
• Sanada Yukimura – the “Crimson Demon of War.”
• Date Masamune – the “One-Eyed Dragon,” famed for bravery.
• Musashi Miyamoto – the undefeated duelist and philosopher.
• Kojiro Sasaki – Musashi’s rival, graceful and deadly.
• Hattori Hanzo – the legendary ninja-samurai known worldwide.
• Oniwaka – mythic hero said to fight demons with his blade.
• Kensei – a title meaning “Sword Saint.”
• Shingen – inspired by Takeda Shingen, the “Tiger of Kai.”
• Amakusa – drawn from Christian samurai leader Amakusa Shirō.
• Raizo – name meaning “thunder,” echoing mythic samurai energy.
• Kagutsuchi – fire god representing destructive sword energy.
• Izanagi – creator god, wielder of divine weapons.
• Izanami – goddess of creation and death.
• Kaguya – moon princess of legend, symbol of grace and mystery.
• Orochi – eight-headed dragon slain by Susanoo.
• Jiraiya – from folklore and Naruto, the gallant toad warrior.
• Hanzo – symbol of stealth and precision in modern pop culture.
• Genji – name of noble warriors from The Tale of Genji.
• Okami – the wolf deity of protection.
• Ryu – “dragon,” iconic name across games and myth.
• Ken – meaning “sword,” used in many samurai-inspired heroes.
• Akuma – “demon,” a name reflecting dark warrior power.
• Raiden – thunder god turned warrior icon in games.
• Jinpachi – historical samurai name revived in modern tales.
• Kaido – dragon-like warlord in One Piece.
• Shogun – title meaning “general,” used in myth and fiction.
• Toshiro – timeless name representing sharpness and honor.
• Nobu – name rooted in Nobunaga’s legacy.
• Yukio – symbolizing snow, calm, and inner strength.
• Kaito – mysterious warrior with sea-like depth.
• Renji – name tied to loyalty and fierce spirit.

Cool Samurai Names

• Ryuzen
• Kenshiro
• Takemaru
• Raiden
• Masato
• Yorikane
• Arata
• Renjiro
• Kaito
• Toshiro
• Hikaru
• Ryunosuke
• Jubei
• Kazuma
• Hideaki
• Akihiko
• Hayato
• Satoru
• Kojiro
• Tadashi
• Shinzo
• Eiji
• Daizen
• Isamu
• Ranmaru
• Toranosuke
• Yamato
• Naotaka
• Genji
• Ritsuo
• Kazuhiko
• Masaki
• Kenjiro
• Tomohiro
• Nobuaki
• Keisuke
• Sadao
• Masamune
• Fumihiro
• Hideo
• Nobuhide
• Kazuto
• Shigeru
• Takeshi

Samurai Warrior Names

• Katsuro
• Toshinori
• Yukimura
• Masaru
• Daichi
• Kenzo
• Hirotaka
• Ryota
• Makoto
• Tetsuya
• Nobunori
• Kazuki
• Haru
• Shinichi
• Rikuya
• Takanori
• Akito
• Yasuto
• Kensuke
• Ryuhei
• Tsubasa
• Hajime
• Yorimitsu
• Naoki
• Kenta
• Toru
• Ryohei
• Kenzan
• Yoshihiro
• Kazuhiro
• Minato
• Kengo
• Raito
• Toshiaki
• Hidemasa
• Seiji
• Atsuya
• Shoji
• Rento
• Hayashi
• Junpei
• Kenichi
• Masahiro
• Reiji
• Takuto
• Haruto
• Yorihito
• Kaoru

Japanese Samurai Names

• Akihiro – bright and strong
• Daigo – great enlightenment
• Eiji – eternal ruler
• Fumihiro – wise abundance
• Genzo – original creation
• Haruto – sunlight and flight
• Ichiro – first son
• Jiro – second son
• Katsuro – victorious son
• Masato – righteous man
• Nobuhiro – faithful abundance
• Osamu – disciplined or governed
• Ryoji – cool and calm second son
• Shinobu – endurance or patience
• Takayuki – noble journey
• Tatsuo – dragon man
• Tomoya – wise friend
• Yukihiro – blessed abundance
• Hajime – beginning
• Kiyoshi – pure and clear
• Ryuhei – peaceful dragon
• Toshiaki – bright and intelligent
• Naoto – honest person
• Kenta – strong and healthy
• Hiroto – great flight
• Souta – refreshing sound of wind
• Yamato – great harmony
• Kenshin – humble truth
• Isamu – courage and valor
• Hayato – falcon person
• Renjiro – lotus son
• Shogo – flying enlightenment
• Kenzo – wise and modest
• Arata – fresh or new
• Taiki – great light
• Hideo – excellent man
• Masaki – true brightness
• Yoshito – righteous person
• Keigo – respectful protector
• Rikuto – man of the land
• Takeshi – warrior or strong
• Hideaki – excellent brightness
• Kojiro – little second son
• Kazuhiro – harmonious abundance
• Shinji – true heart
• Tetsuya – clear thinker

Famous Samurai Names

• Miyamoto Musashi
• Oda Nobunaga
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi
• Tokugawa Ieyasu
• Date Masamune
• Takeda Shingen
• Uesugi Kenshin
• Sanada Yukimura
• Honda Tadakatsu
• Hattori Hanzo
• Akechi Mitsuhide
• Kato Kiyomasa
• Ishida Mitsunari
• Kato Yoshiaki
• Shimazu Yoshihiro
• Yagyu Munenori
• Sasaki Kojiro
• Hosokawa Tadaoki
• Naoe Kanetsugu
• Kuroda Kanbei
• Saito Dosan
• Imagawa Yoshimoto
• Mori Motonari
• Chosokabe Motochika
• Asakura Yoshikage
• Hojo Ujiyasu
• Amago Haruhisa
• Otomo Sorin
• Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
• Minamoto no Yoshitsune
• Kusunoki Masashige
• Hōjō Tokimune
• Sanada Nobushige
• Taira no Kiyomori
• Minamoto no Yoritomo
• Saito Hajime
• Hijikata Toshizo
• Okita Soji
• Ito Kashitaro
• Kondo Isami
• Yamanaka Shikanosuke
• Araki Murashige
• Hōjō Soun
• Shibata Katsuie
• Kobayakawa Takakage
• Goto Matabei

Samurai Names with Meaning

• Ryu – dragon
• Takashi – noble and prosperous
• Masaru – victory
• Kenji – intelligent second son
• Kaito – ocean flying
• Haru – spring and sunlight
• Satoru – wise and enlightened
• Akio – bright man
• Hiroshi – generous and tolerant
• Isamu – brave and courageous
• Ren – lotus or love
• Daichi – great earth
• Kensuke – sword helper
• Naoki – honest and upright
• Makoto – sincere truth
• Yuki – happiness or snow
• Shinji – true believer
• Toshio – talented and clever
• Masato – righteous man
• Ryota – strong and refreshing
• Tsubasa – wings or freedom
• Hayato – swift falcon
• Yorito – trustworthy person
• Koji – little second son
• Arata – new and fresh
• Kenshin – humble truth
• Masahiro – great prosperity
• Kazuki – peaceful hope
• Rikuto – man of the earth
• Hajime – beginning
• Toshiro – talented or bright
• Keisuke – helper or rescuer
• Yorimoto – loyal origin
• Ryo – distant and cool
• Atsuya – warm-hearted and brave
• Hideki – excellent brightness
• Tomoya – wise friend
• Kenzo – wise and humble
• Kazuya – harmonious one
• Shogo – enlightened flight
• Fumihiro – wide wisdom
• Yoshinobu – righteous and faithful
• Takahiro – noble and large-hearted
• Katsuro – victorious man
• Naoto – honest person
• Taichi – great one
• Ryohei – peaceful and calm spirit

Samurai Names History

Samurai Name	Era / Period	Short Detail
Miyamoto Musashi	Edo Period	A master swordsman and author of The Book of Five Rings.
Oda Nobunaga	Sengoku Period	Unified much of Japan through bold military strategy.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi	Azuchi–Momoyama Period	Rose from peasant to ruler, completing Japan’s unification.
Tokugawa Ieyasu	Edo Period	Founded the Tokugawa shogunate, ensuring 250 years of peace.
Takeda Shingen	Sengoku Period	Known as the “Tiger of Kai” famed for his strategic brilliance.
Uesugi Kenshin	Sengoku Period	A rival of Takeda, admired for honor and devotion to war gods.
Date Masamune	Azuchi–Momoyama Period	The “One-Eyed Dragon” known for his ambition and leadership.
Sanada Yukimura	Sengoku Period	Revered as Japan’s greatest warrior for his courage at Osaka.
Hattori Hanzo	Sengoku Period	Legendary ninja and loyal retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Honda Tadakatsu	Sengoku Period	A fearless general never wounded in battle.
Akechi Mitsuhide	Azuchi–Momoyama Period	Betrayed Oda Nobunaga, changing Japan’s history.
Ishida Mitsunari	Sengoku Period	Led the Western Army at the Battle of Sekigahara.
Kato Kiyomasa	Azuchi–Momoyama Period	Famous castle builder and Korean campaign general.
Kobayakawa Hideaki	Sengoku Period	His betrayal at Sekigahara shifted the war’s outcome.
Shimazu Yoshihiro	Sengoku Period	Known for his fearless leadership in fierce southern battles.
Naoe Kanetsugu	Sengoku Period	Loyal retainer to Uesugi Kenshin, symbol of justice.
Kuroda Kanbei	Sengoku Period	A strategic genius and adviser to Hideyoshi.
Hojo Ujiyasu	Sengoku Period	Strengthened the Hojo clan’s power in Kanto.
Mori Motonari	Sengoku Period	A brilliant tactician who united the Chugoku region.
Chosokabe Motochika	Sengoku Period	United Shikoku Island under his rule.
Asakura Yoshikage	Sengoku Period	Known for diplomacy and peace seeking governance.
Imagawa Yoshimoto	Sengoku Period	Defeated by Nobunaga, marking a turning point in history.
Amago Haruhisa	Sengoku Period	Fought fiercely to restore his clan’s power.
Otomo Sorin	Sengoku Period	A Christian daimyo who modernized his region.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu	Muromachi Period	Third shogun who promoted culture and the arts.
Minamoto no Yoshitsune	Heian Period	A tragic hero of the Genpei War, celebrated in folklore.
Minamoto no Yoritomo	Kamakura Period	Founder of the Kamakura shogunate, Japan’s first shogun.
Taira no Kiyomori	Heian Period	Powerful noble who rose to control the imperial court.
Kusunoki Masashige	Kamakura Period	Loyal warrior known for his selfless sacrifice.
Hojo Tokimune	Kamakura Period	Defended Japan from Mongol invasions with resolve.
Ashikaga Takauji	Muromachi Period	First shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate.
Ii Naomasa	Azuchi–Momoyama Period	Red-armored general loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Fukushima Masanori	Azuchi–Momoyama Period	Brave warrior under Hideyoshi and Ieyasu.
Yagyu Munenori	Edo Period	Swordmaster and advisor to the Tokugawa shoguns.
Saito Dosan	Sengoku Period	“Viper of Mino,” a shrewd strategist and politician.
Araki Murashige	Sengoku Period	Known for rebellion and mysterious disappearance.
Goto Matabei	Sengoku Period	Famed for loyalty and unmatched martial skill.
Shibata Katsuie	Sengoku Period	Fierce general who served Oda Nobunaga.
Hojo Soun	Sengoku Period	Founder of the Later Hojo clan, a symbol of resilience.
Yamanaka Shikanosuke	Sengoku Period	Vowed loyalty to his fallen Amago clan.
Matsunaga Hisahide	Sengoku Period	Infamous for his ambition and explosive death.
Kikkawa Motoharu	Sengoku Period	One of the “Two Rivers” serving Mori Motonari.
Kondo Isami	Bakumatsu Period	Leader of the Shinsengumi, defenders of the shogunate.
Okita Soji	Bakumatsu Period	Young and skilled swordsman of the Shinsengumi.
Hijikata Toshizo	Bakumatsu Period	The “Demon Vice Commander” of the Shinsengumi.
Saito Hajime	Bakumatsu Period	Feared swordsman with unmatched loyalty and skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some famous Samurai Names from history?

Some famous Samurai Names include Miyamoto Musashi, Oda Nobunaga, and Tomoe Gozen each known for bravery and mastery in battle.

What do Samurai Names mean?

Samurai Names often carry meanings tied to honor, strength, nature, or spiritual virtues.

How do I create authentic Samurai Names?

Use Japanese words or kanji that symbolize courage, loyalty, or elements like “ken” (sword) and “taka” (hawk).

Were there female Samurai Names in history?

Yes, female samurai like Tomoe Gozen and Nakano Takeko had powerful names that embodied warrior pride.

What are cool Samurai Names for characters?

Names like Ryuji, Akihiro, or Katsura fit perfectly for noble and fierce samurai characters.

Why are Samurai Names still popular today?

“Samurai Names” remain popular because they represent timeless values of honor, discipline, and strength admired across cultures.

Final Thoughts

Samurai Names are more than just titles  they’re symbols of courage, loyalty, and timeless honor. Rooted in Japan’s rich history, these names capture the spirit of warriors who lived and died by their code. Whether for storytelling, characters, or cultural inspiration, Samurai Names continue to evoke respect and strength even today.