Kanji meanings › Light
Kanji for Light
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “light”: 光、明、灯、暉、皓、燈. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
light
Light that shines on others.
Hikari was chosen as the name for the pioneering Shinkansen bullet train, symbolizing Japan's postwar technological revival.
6 strokes On reading コウ (kou) Kun reading ひかる、ひかり (hikaru, hikari) JLPT N3
Dictionary meanings: ray, light
Readings used for names on Nazuke: aki, akira, kou, teru, hika, hikari, hikaru, hiko, mi, mitsu
In Japan it appears in about 1,604 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 光: Dakota 妥光太 · Esko 栄寿光 · Mimi 光実 · Vasco 羽寿光 · Cortez 光天鶴 · Cordell 光輝 · Francesco 富良千栄寿光 · Francisco 風蘭士寿光 · Nicole 仁光琉 · Conal 光南瑠 · Costa 光寿太 · Nkosi 光詩 and 16 more
brightness
Light that clears the dark; bright, clear and open.
It combines the sun 日 and the moon 月.
8 strokes On reading メイ、ミョウ、ミン (mei, myou, min) Kun reading あかり、あかるい、あかるむ (akari, akarui, akarumu) JLPT N3
Dictionary meanings: bright, light
Readings used for names on Nazuke: a, aka, aki, akira, ake, asu, saya, sayaka, toshi, haru, myou, min, me, mei
In Japan it appears in about 1,934 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 明: Megan 明佳 · Abigail 明日芸琉 · Abu 明風 · Aja 安唯明 · Ash 明朱 · Jia 慈明 · Zia 慈明 · Amit 明実登 · Azie 明路恵 · Earl 明瑠 · Abdel 明風登瑠 · Abdul 明風土瑠 and 210 more
More about 明 →lamp
A light in the dark.
6 strokes On reading トウ (tou) Kun reading ひ、ほ、ともしび (hi, ho, tomoshibi) JLPT N2
Dictionary meanings: lamp, a light, light, counter for lights
Readings used for names on Nazuke: to, tou, tomo, hi
In Japan it appears in about 173 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 灯: Art 安灯 · Ivy 安唯灯 · Cato 敬灯 · Davi 妥灯 · Devi 天灯 · Devy 天灯 · Elfi 英瑠灯 · Finn 灯 · Gian 灯杏 · Ivey 安唯灯 · Javi 羽灯 · Otto 穂灯 and 128 more
More about 灯 →radiance
Bright, shining light that spreads all around.
13 strokes On reading キ (ki) Kun reading かがやく (kagayaku) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: shine, light
Readings used for names on Nazuke: ki, teru
In Japan it appears in about 119 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 暉: Ander 杏暉 · Delta 暉太 · Eigil 永暉瑠 · Telma 暉満 · Tilda 暉太 · Delbert 暉葉登 · Kiko 暉湖 · Adele 安暉 · Adell 安暉 · Dicky 路知暉 · Elder 瑛瑠暉 · Fidel 陽暉 and 43 more
More about 暉 →white light
Pure, shining white light, like moonlight on snow.
12 strokes On reading コウ (kou) Kun reading しろい、ひかる (shiroi, hikaru) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: white, clear
Readings used for names on Nazuke: aki, akira, kou, teru, hiro, hiroshi
In Japan it appears in about 122 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, in both boys’ and girls’ names.
More about 皓 →lamp
A lamp that lights the way.
Toro are traditional stone lanterns placed in shrine precincts and stroll gardens to guide night worshippers and spirits.
16 strokes On reading トウ (tou) Kun reading ひ、ほ、ともしび (hi, ho, tomoshibi)
Dictionary meanings: lamp, light, counter for lights
Readings used for names on Nazuke: akari, tou
More about 燈 →Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
Put it in your name
Nazuke writes your first name in kanji, choosing characters for both sound and meaning.