Chapter 1 - Name Translations

What do Some Naruto Character`s Names Mean?
With Credit to: Naruto Collector Magazine
Although a rose may smell as nice if called a skunkweed, it wouldn`t be the flower of romance anymore. That`s why the Naruto creators put so much thought into names for their characters. =)

KAKASHI: Enigmatic, crazy hair, voyeuristic tendencies...."scare crow"!

SASUKE UCHIHA: Sasuke is named for Sasuke Sarutobi, famous ninja who set off at age 10 to master Ninjitsu, and helped change ninjas` reputations from black-magic assasins to elite heroes. Sasuke (Uchiha) could live up to his name, but Sasuke Sarutobi had a sense of humor! Since the letter for "ha" can be pronounced "wa" or "ha", the name "Uchiha" is a play on uchiwa, or paper fan (like the one on his jacket). In ancient Japan, Uchiwa were used in court ceremonies, as souvenirs,and to protect soldiers from arrows,and such. Like his name, Sasuke can easily adapt to different situations.

Iruka Umino: His name is Japanese for "dolphin of the ocean". Like dolphins, Iruka is tough but playful.

Sakura Haruno:The word sakura means "cherry blossom", the national flower of Japan, which represents loyalty, love, and even samurai. Sakura`s love for Sasuke drives her to excel while her loyal spirit accepts Naruto in the team,even when she doesn`t like him. As for her last name, haruno means "spring field", place of possibility and growth. Spring fields can be cultivated and orderly,or wild an unruly.....just like Sakura.

Naruto Uzamaki: The word "naruto" refers to the fishcakes that float in ramen. A name like that leads to thinking with his stomach, and gut reactions serve well in battle, but cause problems anywhere else. "Naruto" is also a tidal phenomenon off the Japanese coast, where crashing currents create dangerous waters. Plus "uzamaki" means "whirlpool", which describes Naruto`s chaotic side. Oh, and the fishcakes usually have pink spiral centers...which is more whirlpools! XD

Kabuto Yakushi: Combined, his names evoke aconite,a poweful plant that can cure pain... or kill horribly. Kabuto also means a samurai`s headpiece or helmet.

Kankuro: He shares a name with famous Kabuki players, and dresses the part. His creepy puppet is Karasu,or "crow", the cemetary bird.

Rock Lee:An easy one! He rocks, like Bruce Lee. (*so the mag says..*)

Neji Hyuga: He`s twisted, like a "screw". Last name, means "Place", so, "twisted place".

Temari: She might be named for the Japanese folk art of embroidered thread balls, but don`t even try to unravel her.

Tenten: She`s probably of Chinese descent, where repeated names are used affectionately. One of the Japanese meanings is "Heaven".

Dosu: Dosu is the sound of a sword piercing flesh, which is exactly what he`ll do to you... O_O

Zaku: He`s as sharp as his blade, and he`ll cut you if given the chance.

Kin: Named for the sound of metal clashing, like her personality against everyone else`s.

Kiba Inuzaka: His family name means "dog mound". The name Inuzaka is also from the novel "Hakkenden", which tells the story of the Dog Samurai. And his first name, Kiba, means "fang".

Shino Aburame: "Shino" is actually is the first name of the same samurai Kiba`s last name comes from, except for Shino, its the first part. His family name means "oil woman", which is very deranged and strange. But the name is also simular to "aburamushi", the word for "roaches", and suggests the special bond he has with the insects around him.

Hinata Hyuga: The downcasted girl with a crush on Naruto, bears a cheerful name. With her two names together, they mean "sunny place".

That`s all for me at the moment, but I do hope that you learned a bit more about Naruto. Kupo!

-Ash

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