100 Popular Asian American Boy Names and Meanings

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If you are looking at baby names for your little one, we can help you with this diverse list of Asian baby names. These are baby boy names that come from all different cultures within the Asian community.

From Polynesian names to Chinese names, we have broken our baby name list into several categories with meanings and origins to help you find the perfect Asian American name for your little boy.

Depending on your culture or heritage, there are plenty of adorable Asian American boy names to choose from including the most popular Asian names, trendy Asian names for boys or more unique name options.

So, join us to learn about popular naming traditions in different Asian cultures and Asian American families, and find the baby name that’s right for you!

Popular Asian American Boy Names

These are the tried-and-true favorites that somehow manage to honor heritage while fitting perfectly into American classrooms. Think of them as the "sweet spot" names—your son might not be the only one in his grade with these names, but that's honestly not a bad thing when you're dealing with substitute teachers!

Cho - Japanese for butterfly, Korean for beautiful
Dae - Japanese for great
Hai - Chinese for ocean
Huy - Vietnamese for brightness
Ichiro - Japanese for first son
Isamu - Japanese for courage
Jiang - Chinese for fire
Jin - Japanese for tender
Kaede - Japanese for maple leaf
Kenji - Japanese for second son
Kwan - Korean for strong
Lee - Chinese for plum
Liu - Chinese for willow tree
Park - Korean for gourd
Peng - Chinese for big
Ping - Chinese for level, peaceful
Qiang - Chinese for strong
Raiden - Japanese for thunder
Ryu - Korean for dragon or jade
Sanjay - Hindi for protector
Shin - Korean for belief
Takeshi - Japanese for bamboo
Taran - Sanskrit for rocky hill
Tung - Chinese for universal
Xiu - Chinese for beautiful

Unique Asian Boy Names

Instead of having three other kids turn around when you call your son at the park, consider these rare Asian American names for boys.

Arjun - Sanskrit for bright, shining, or white
Ambrosio - Immortal, from both Greek and Filipino
Bayani - Tagalog for hero
Bourey - Cambodian for estate
Chenglei - Chinese, meaning to become great
Dalip - Hindu for a born king
Dewei - Chinese for great principle
Fai - Chinese for brilliant light
Feng - Chinese for maple, phoenix
Hiromi - Japanese for generous
Longwei - Chinese for dragon, greatness
Mal-Chin - Korean for persisting to the end
Munna - Hindu for sweet
Naoki - Japanese for honest
Niran - Thai for eternal
Ogano - Japanese for a small deer field
Renshu - Chinese for benevolent forbearance
Shirong - Chinese for scholarly honor
Tenzin - Tibetan for the holder of teachings, inspired by Buddhist tradition
Tianyu - Chinese for calm or heavenly
Veasna - Cambodian for future, destiny
Virote - Thai for power
Yoshiro - Japanese for happy individual
Zhen - Chinese for potter

Modern Asian American Names for Boys

The perfect blend of old and new—these names are the best of both worlds for families who want something that flows naturally in English but doesn't lose its roots. Your kiddo will thank you when he doesn't have to choose between his "American name" and his "real name."

Ang - Chinese for spirited
Bo - Chinese for precious
Bowen - Chinese for abundant
Chang - Chinese for flourishing, prosperous
Guang - Chinese for light
Hari - Hindi for sun
Huan - Chinese for happy
Izumi - Japanese for spring of water
Kyo - Japanese for cooperation
Midori - Japanese for green
Ren - Japanese for waterlily
Sindhu - Indian for ocean , river
Tanveer - Hindu for strong, brave
Yuze - Chinese for amazing, smart
Zihan - Muslim for brightness

Popular Pacific Islander Names for Boys (With Origins)

Island names with serious soul! These carry the ocean breeze and rich storytelling traditions of Pacific cultures. Each one comes with its own little piece of paradise and usually an amazing story behind it for the little boy who can conquer anything.

Afu - Polynesian for hot
Aimata - Tahitian for eldest sibling
Akamu - Hawaiian for red earth
Enele - Hawaiian for black, one with the sun
Enoha - Hawaiian for bird
Fetu - Polynesian for star; God of the night in Hawaiian
Filemu - Samoan for peaceful
Hawea - Maori for peacemaker
Hemi - Maori for God is gracious
Iakopo - Samoan for supplanter, the equivalent of Jacob in Hebrew
Ikaika - Hawaiian for strong
Kai - Hawaiian for sea or ocean
Kane - Hawaiian for man
Koa - Hawaiian for warrior or brave
Lagi - Hawaiian for heaven
Laki - Samoan for lucky
Lono - Hawaiian god of farming
Malakai - Tongan form of Malachi, meaning messenger of God
Malosi - Samoan for strength
Manaia - Maori for guardian and messenger
Manu - Hawaiian for bird
Maui - Hawaiian god of fire
Nuanua - Samoan for rainbow
Olioli - Samoan for joyful
Oro - A Tahitian war god
Pio - Maori for pious
Pomare - Tahitian for night cough
Rangi - Maori for sky
Sione - God is gracious in Tongan; a version of James in Hebrew
Taika - Maori for tiger
Taito - Samoan for warrior
Temuera - Maori for powerful leader
Uati - Samoan for to watch
Uhila - Polynesian for lightning
Vaea - Polynesian for king
Valu - Polynesian for eight

What Is the Most Common Name for Asian Boys in the US?

It really comes down to what individual Asian American families prefer! But continually popular names like Ethan, Noah, and Liam are common across many cultural groups, including Asian communities, while traditional names like Kai or Arjun are also widely seen.

Naming Traditions for Boys in Asian American Families

One of the most important things to realize is that many Asian immigrants do not go by their birth names. Instead, they may use a nickname or an anglicized version of their name that is more common in Western culture. However, this practice is becoming less common than it was years ago. Many Asian American families believe they should embrace their heritage and be proud of their given name.

Whether you are interested in the most popular names or something more unique and special, we hope you find the perfect name among this list of Asian American boy names and meanings from various Asian cultures and traditions!

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