Ninja Name Generator

Shinobi, kunoichi and shadow warrior names

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Generate ninja names rooted in real Sengoku-era shinobi history (Hattori Hanzo, Fuma Kotaro, Mochizuki Chiyome), authentic Japanese given names and surnames, and evocative Japanese code names like Kurokaze and Shiranui. Ideal for RPG characters, manga, martial arts personas and games.

About ninja names

Real ninja, or shinobi, were spies and saboteurs of Sengoku-era Japan, and their names followed ordinary Japanese conventions: family name first, given name second. Hattori Hanzo, Fuma Kotaro, Momochi Sandayu and Mochizuki Chiyome (leader of a network of female agents) are historical figures, while Sarutobi Sasuke and Kirigakure Saizo belong to the semi-legendary Sanada Ten Braves. Many shinobi took warrior-style given names ending in -maru, -suke, -zo or -bei, and the two great ninja regions, Iga and Koga, are often attached as a locative (Iga no Kagemaru, "Kagemaru of Iga").

Code names are the second layer. Japanese words for shadow (kage), darkness (yami), black (kuro), wind (kaze), mist (kiri) and moon (tsuki) combine naturally with animals or weapons: Kurokaze means Black Wind, Kirikage means Mist Shadow, Hebihime means Serpent Princess. These compounds are how manga, anime and games from Naruto to Ninja Gaiden build names that sound instantly ninja-like without being cheesy in translation.

For a kunoichi, historical fashion offers plain, elegant given names such as Chiyo, Shizuka, Ayame or the Edo-period O- prefix names (Okiku, Oyuki). For an elite or legendary operative, add an epithet in the style of the era: Hanzo the Demon, Kotaro of the Wind Demons, Sandayu the Three-Faced. Keep the name short and sharp; the best ninja names sound like they can be whispered.

How to choose ninja names

  • Use surname-first order (Fuma Kotaro, not Kotaro Fuma) for a historically accurate feel, and drop the surname entirely for a character who has renounced their clan.
  • Build a code name from two Japanese elements: a shadow/element word (Kage, Kuro, Yami, Kaze, Kiri, Tsuki) plus an animal or object (Hebi, Tora, Karasu, Kiba, Hane).
  • Attach a home region with 'no' (Iga no Hanzo, Koga no Saizo) to signal which ninja tradition your character trained in.
  • Kunoichi names in the period were usually simple feminine given names; save the dramatic code name for her professional identity.
  • Check that your compound does not accidentally spell a common product or place; a quick search on the romanised word saves embarrassment.

Frequently asked questions

What are some real historical ninja names?

Hattori Hanzo (Iga leader who served Tokugawa Ieyasu), Fuma Kotaro (Fuma clan chief), Momochi Sandayu and Fujibayashi Nagato (Iga jonin), Ishikawa Goemon (outlaw folk hero), Kato Danzo (illusionist ninja) and Mochizuki Chiyome, who reputedly trained kunoichi for the Takeda clan.

How are ninja names structured in Japanese?

Family name first, given name second, so Hattori is the clan and Hanzo the individual. Ninja often had a public name, a code name and a title (Iga no Hanzo), and famous ones gained epithets like Oni no Hanzo, meaning Hanzo the Demon.

What is the difference between ninja, shinobi and kunoichi?

Ninja and shinobi are two readings of the same characters and mean the same thing; shinobi is the older Japanese term. Kunoichi is the popular word for a female ninja, drawn from the strokes of the character for woman.

Can I use these names for a game character or story?

Yes. Historical figures and traditional Japanese names are free to use, and the code names here are original compounds. Names of specific video game and anime characters (Ryu Hayabusa, Strider Hiryu, Kasumi) should be treated as belonging to their publishers in commercial work.

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All 500 ninja names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 18 names

  • Akagumo
  • Akahebi
  • Akakage
  • Akakitsune
  • Akane
  • Akaoni
  • Akaraiden
  • Akatombo
  • Akatsuki
  • Akatsume
  • Amekage
  • Amemaru
  • Anayama Kosuke
  • Aoi
  • Ayaka
  • Ayame
  • Ayane
  • Ayano

B: 6 names

  • Ban Danemon
  • Ban Kurobei
  • Ban Naoyuki
  • Benkei
  • Botan
  • Bunkichi

C: 7 names

  • Chigusa
  • Chisato
  • Chiyoko
  • Chiyome
  • Chiyome the Spider
  • Chojiro
  • Chuzaemon

D: 2 names

  • Danzo
  • Denzo

F: 14 names

  • Fubuki
  • Fujibayashi Masayasu
  • Fujibayashi Nagato
  • Fujibayashi Yasutake
  • Fujikage
  • Fujimaru
  • Fujita Ihei
  • Fujita Seiko
  • Fukuchi Iyo
  • Fuma Hyoe
  • Fuma Kotaro
  • Fuma no Kotaro
  • Fumi
  • Fuyuka

G: 9 names

  • Genbei
  • Gennosuke
  • Genpachi
  • Genzo
  • Goemon
  • Goemon the Thief
  • Gonzo
  • Gorobei
  • Gorozaemon

H: 30 names

  • Hachiro
  • Hakumei
  • Hanzo
  • Hanzo Hasashi
  • Hanzo the Demon
  • Hattori Hanzo
  • Hattori Masanari
  • Hattori Yasukiyo
  • Hattori Yasunaga
  • Hayabusa
  • Hayakaze
  • Hayaokami
  • Hayate
  • Hayate no Kiba
  • Hebihime
  • Hebikage
  • Hebimaru
  • Heihachi
  • Heisuke
  • Hi no Tsume
  • Hikari
  • Hina
  • Hisame
  • Homura no Kage
  • Honokage
  • Hoshikage
  • Hoshimaru
  • Hoshiokami
  • Hotaru
  • Hyogo

I: 14 names

  • Ibuki
  • Ichibei
  • Ichinojo
  • Ichinomiya Shobei
  • Iemon
  • Iga no Chiyome
  • Iga no Kagemaru
  • Igasaki Doshun
  • Ippei
  • Ise Saburo
  • Ishikawa Goemon
  • Isuke
  • Iwane Chikuzen
  • Izumi

J: 4 names

  • Jinpachi
  • Jirokichi
  • Joe Musashi
  • Jubei

K: 152 names

  • Kaede
  • Kaemon
  • Kagami
  • Kagari
  • Kage Kazuma
  • Kage no Okami
  • Kage no Sasori
  • Kage no Yaiba
  • Kageaki
  • Kageboshi
  • Kagechika
  • Kagefumi
  • Kagefusa
  • Kagegakure
  • Kageharu
  • Kagehebi
  • Kagehisa
  • Kagehotaru
  • Kagekarasu
  • Kagekatsu
  • Kagekiyo
  • Kagemaru
  • Kagemaru of the Iga
  • Kagemasa
  • Kagemitsu
  • Kagemori
  • Kagemune
  • Kagemusha
  • Kagenaga
  • Kagenari
  • Kagenobu
  • Kagenui
  • Kageoni
  • Kageraiden
  • Kagero
  • Kagerou
  • Kagesada
  • Kagesasori
  • Kagesuke
  • Kagetane
  • Kagetatsu
  • Kagetomo
  • Kagetora
  • Kagetoshi
  • Kagetsugu
  • Kagetsuki
  • Kageyoshi
  • Kageyu
  • Kageyuki
  • Kaguya

K, continued

  • Kaho
  • Kakei Juzo
  • Kamaitachi
  • Kamikakushi
  • Kaminari no Kage
  • Kanashibari
  • Kanbe
  • Kanbei
  • Kanon
  • Kanshiro
  • Kansuke
  • Kanzo
  • Kaori
  • Karasuba
  • Karasuhime
  • Karasumaru
  • Kasane
  • Kashiwabara Genzaemon
  • Kashiwabara Mataemon
  • Kasumi
  • Kasumi no Rei
  • Kato Danzo
  • Kawatare
  • Kazamaru
  • Kaze no Kage
  • Kaze no Yaiba
  • Kazegumo
  • Kazehana
  • Kazekage
  • Kazekiba
  • Kazemaru
  • Kazenami
  • Kazetsubame
  • Kenshin
  • Kido Sansuke
  • Kido Yazaemon
  • Kihei
  • Kikuno
  • Kikyo
  • Kimura Okunosuke
  • Kinshiro
  • Kinu
  • Kiri no Kage
  • Kiribana
  • Kirigakure Saizo
  • Kirigakure Shikaemon
  • Kirigiri
  • Kirihime
  • Kirikage
  • Kirikumo
  • Kirimaru

K, continued

  • Kirinami
  • Kirisasori
  • Kishu no Hayate
  • Kitsunebi
  • Kitsunehime
  • Kitsunemaru
  • Kizaki Hachibei
  • Kizaki Kanjuro
  • Kizu Kizaemon
  • Kizu Tenzo
  • Kizu Yohachi
  • Koga no Saizo
  • Kogarashi
  • Kohagi
  • Kohaku
  • Kojiro
  • Kojumaru
  • Kojuro
  • Kosuke
  • Kotaro
  • Kotaro of the Wind Demons
  • Kotone
  • Kumagai Denzo
  • Kumamaru
  • Kumawaka
  • Kumohime
  • Kumomaru
  • Kunoichi Chiyo
  • Kuranosuke
  • Kuroda Genkuro
  • Kurofubuki
  • Kurogane
  • Kurohane
  • Kuroinu
  • Kurokaze
  • Kurokiba
  • Kurokitsune
  • Kurokumo
  • Kuroneko
  • Kuroshinobi
  • Kuroshio
  • Kurotachi
  • Kurotaka
  • Kurotsubame
  • Kurotsuki
  • Kurotsume
  • Kuroyaiba
  • Kuroyuki
  • Kyubei
  • Kyunosuke
  • Kyuzo

M: 18 names

  • Manzo
  • Matashiro
  • Midori
  • Mikazuki
  • Mikoto
  • Mikumo Sadamasa
  • Miyoshi Seikai
  • Miyu
  • Mizuchi
  • Mochizuki Chiyome
  • Mochizuki Izumo no Kami
  • Momochi Genji
  • Momochi Sandayu
  • Momochi Tanba
  • Mori no Kage
  • Mosuke
  • Mugon
  • Musashi

N: 12 names

  • Nagai Kurando
  • Naiki Tomozo
  • Naiki Yosaburo
  • Naizen
  • Nanase
  • Naomaru
  • Negoro Gyobu
  • Negoro no Genzo
  • Nene
  • Nezu Jinpachi
  • Nowaki
  • Nuinosuke

O: 40 names

  • Oboro
  • Ochiyo
  • Ohana
  • Ohara Denkichi
  • Ohara Sadatsugu
  • Oharu
  • Ohatsu
  • Ohisa
  • Okamimaru
  • Okiku
  • Okon
  • Okoto
  • Okuma
  • Okuni
  • Omasa
  • Omitsu
  • Onatsu
  • Onihime
  • Onikage
  • Onikiri
  • Onimaru
  • Oren
  • Oryo
  • Osaki
  • Osato
  • Osayo
  • Osen
  • Oshin
  • Osode
  • Otae
  • Otama
  • Otane
  • Otoki
  • Otora
  • Otowa Shirobei
  • Otoyo
  • Otsu
  • Otsuki Heizo
  • Oume
  • Oyuki

R: 16 names

  • Raiden no Kiba
  • Raikage
  • Raimaru
  • Ran
  • Ranmaru
  • Rei
  • Rihei
  • Rin
  • Rokuro
  • Rokusuke
  • Ryu Hayabusa
  • Ryukage
  • Ryuko
  • Ryumaru
  • Ryunosuke
  • Ryuzo

S: 58 names

  • Sabu
  • Sadamaru
  • Sadanoshin
  • Sae
  • Saizo
  • Saizo of the Koga
  • Saizo of the Mist
  • Sakon
  • Sakubei
  • Sakura
  • Sakuzo
  • Sakyo
  • Samidare
  • Sanada Yukimura
  • Sandayu the Three-Faced
  • Sanshiro
  • Sanzo
  • Sarutobi Sasuke
  • Sasorimaru
  • Sasuke
  • Sasuke the Monkey
  • Sawamura Jinzaburo
  • Sawamura Tokubei
  • Sayo
  • Sayuri
  • Sazanami
  • Setsuna
  • Shichinosuke
  • Shigure
  • Shimotsuge no Kizaru
  • Shindo Kotaro
  • Shingen
  • Shinkage
  • Shino
  • Shinobu
  • Shinonome
  • Shinsuke
  • Shinzaemon
  • Shiranui
  • Shirohebi
  • Shirokage
  • Shirokarasu
  • Shirokitsune
  • Shiroraiden
  • Shizuka
  • Shozo
  • Shume
  • Shuzen
  • Sora no Kiba
  • Strider Hiryu
  • Sugitani Kiyoemon
  • Sugitani Zenjubo
  • Suiryu
  • Sumire
  • Sunosuke
  • Suzu
  • Suzuki Magoichi
  • Suzume

T: 35 names

  • Takamaru
  • Takayama Taro
  • Takino Juro
  • Tamaki
  • Tanomo
  • Tasogare
  • Tateoka Doshun
  • Tateoka Rokusaburo
  • Tatsumaki
  • Tenguko
  • Tengumaru
  • Tenzen
  • Tenzo
  • Togakure no Kaede
  • Tokuzo
  • Tomoe
  • Tomomaru
  • Tonomo
  • Torakage
  • Toramaru
  • Toramatsu
  • Tozawa Hakuunsai
  • Tsubaki
  • Tsubamehime
  • Tsuge Saburozaemon
  • Tsuki no Kage
  • Tsukiharu
  • Tsukikage
  • Tsukikarasu
  • Tsukimaru
  • Tsukiokami
  • Tsukiyomi
  • Tsukuyo
  • Tsuru
  • Tsuyu

U: 14 names

  • Ueno Jinsuke
  • Ueno Sakon
  • Ugai Genzaemon
  • Ugai Sadatoshi
  • Ukita Kagesuke
  • Ukon
  • Ukyo
  • Umanosuke
  • Umi no Kage
  • Uneme
  • Unno Rokuro
  • Ushimitsu
  • Ushinosuke
  • Utsusemi

W: 2 names

  • Wada Koremasa
  • Wakana

Y: 47 names

  • Yae
  • Yagyu Jubei
  • Yagyu Munenori
  • Yagyu Sekishusai
  • Yaichiro
  • Yamada Hachiemon
  • Yamanaka Kunai
  • Yamanaka Toshifusa
  • Yamatomaru
  • Yamibi
  • Yamigarasu
  • Yamihebi
  • Yamikage
  • Yamikaze
  • Yamikitsune
  • Yaminohane
  • Yamiokami
  • Yamitora
  • Yamitsuki
  • Yamitsume
  • Yasaburo
  • Yashamaru
  • Yashichi
  • Yasube
  • Yasuke
  • Yasumaru
  • Yayoi
  • Yoake
  • Yohei
  • Yoru no Kiba
  • Yorugarasu
  • Yorugumo
  • Yorukaze
  • Yoruko
  • Yoshimaru
  • Yoshino
  • Yoshitsune
  • Yozora
  • Yui
  • Yuki
  • Yukigumo
  • Yukikage
  • Yukimaru
  • Yukiokami
  • Yukionna
  • Yumeko
  • Yuri Kamanosuke

Z: 2 names

  • Zenkichi
  • Zenzo