What is the meaning of the names of the characters in Naruto?

The story of the ninja Naruto marked the childhood and pre-adolescence of many people who grew up during the 2010s. For fans who followed or still follow the series today, it is interesting to note that the characters’ names have specific meanings, reflecting their personalities or establishing connections with the plot.

With this in mind, RECREIO has put together a list of the meanings behind the names of the main characters in the manga and anime; check it out!

Naruto Uzumaki

Both the names “Naruto” and “Uzumaki” make direct reference to the character’s personality traits and the story itself. The first name is derived from a common ingredient used in Ramen, a typical Japanese dish and Naruto’s favorite. “Uzumaki” is a word from the same language that means “spiral” or “whirlpool”, a symbol that also appears in the center of the Ramen ingredient and, in the same way, references the “Rasengan”, an ability that Naruto uses during the story to manipulate the air.

Sakura Haruno

The famous “cherry blossom”, better known as Sakura in Japanese, is a direct reference to the main female character in the anime. In the country, this flower is highly valued, as it is a symbol of ephemerality, renewal and hope. The surname “Haruno” is also related to flowers, as it means “spring field”.

Sasuke Uchiha

Known for having a cold and skeptical personality throughout much of the story, Sasuke has a rather controversial meaning for his name. It can be translated as “assistance” or “help”, gaining a deeper dimension when we consider the relationship between Sasuke and Naruto, with the protagonist constantly trying to offer him help.

Hinata Hyuga

Hinata also doesn’t fully live up to the meaning of her name, at least not during the beginning of the story. Always shy and hiding from her peers, her “place in the sun” is a place she finds gradually, such as when she evolves with her Byakugan and when she begins a romantic relationship with Naruto.

Ino Yamanaka

The character Ino’s name can be interpreted in many ways, as can her personality, which also takes on different mood swings depending on the episode. Her first name can be considered an abbreviation for “inoshishi”, which means “boar” in Japanese. Her surname “Yamanaka” translates to “among the mountains” in Portuguese, which makes sense, since the animal is associated with mountains in the country.

Kiba Inuzuka

Kiba is a notable character in both the anime and manga, always accompanied by his faithful dog Akamaru. His connection to the canine world is no coincidence, as his name means “fangs”, while his family surname, “Inuzuka”, can be translated as “dog hill”. Furthermore, the character’s name is inspired by the epic Japanese novel “Nanso Satomi Hakkenden”, by Kyokutei Bakinwhich includes a samurai dog named Inuzuka.

Choji Akimichi

The kanji that form Choji’s name combine the words “butterfly” and “second”, which can be seen as a reference to the chakra “wings” that the character awakens in some fights in the anime and manga.

Shino Aburame

Like Kiba, the name “Shino” also references the book “Nanso Satomi Hakkenden”, as it is the main character’s birth name. “Aburame” is interpreted by some fans as an abbreviation of the word “Aburamushi”, which means “cockroach” in Japanese, linking the meaning of the name to his powers of manipulating insects.

TenTen

TenTen’s name has several meanings, including “point,” “heaven,” or “this and that.” However, none of these meanings seem to directly relate to the story or the character. One popular theory is that her name could be a reference to the English expression “ten out of ten,” which means “ten out of ten” or 10/10. This interpretation suggests a connection to her exceptional marksmanship skills.