BLEACH character name list + meanings
You guys totally better appreciate this ♥
If there's any added info I missed or a mistake, please say so! I'm a researcher, but I'm not perfect. I'll edit it in with credit ^_^
ETA: Besides the fact that I think I got every character to exist in BLEACH at this point and time (even the one-shot characters), I'm still editting this as the manga goes on. Feel free to check back anytime!
Oh yeah, massive spoilers like woah
Karakura Town
Arisawa Tatsuki
有沢 たつき (有沢 竜貴)
Arisawa: "exist"; "swamp"
Tatsuki: "dragon"; "honor"
notes: She has her first name written in hiragana usually because she writes it that way (she thinks it's cuter). The "exist" kanji is the one used for the common verb "aru" (有る), which is a tricky verb to understand, but it can also be used in context as "possess" or "happen". You may recognize KT playing off Tatsuki's name with the "Princess and Dragon" chapters.
Asano Keigo
浅野 啓吾
Asano: "superficial"; "plains/field" or "civilian life"
Keigo: "disclose"; "I"
notes: "Keigo" pretty roughly means "talk to me".
Don Kanonji; Kanonji Misaomaru; Kanonji Misao
ドン・観音寺; 観音寺 ミサオ丸; 観音寺 美幸雄
Don: katakana, no meaning. "Don".
Kanonji: "appearance"; "sound"; "temple"
Misaomaru: misao is katakana, no meaning, "Misao"; "round" (standard male name ending)
Misao: "beauty"; "luck"; "male" or "hero"
notes: Don is a common onomatopoeia for a loud sound, or a sudden thud-flat sound. ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
dosetsu and oceanizer think it might be the English definition of Don. amewarashi says a very interesting allusion to Don Kanonji's name. The first two kanji in Kanonji (観音) means "Buddhist Goddess". More about Kannon here. Thanks fogster. And thanks to himawari for telling me his stage name (Kanonji Misaomaru), and thanks to shiroro for pointing me to his real name (Kanonji Misao).
Honshou Chizuru
本匠 千鶴
Honshou: "book"; "artisan"
Chizuru: "thousand"; "crane"
notes: Ever heard of the story of the Thousand Paper Cranes?
Inoue Orihime
井上 織姫
Inoue: "well"; "above" or "up"
Orihime: "weave" or "fabric"; "princess". (Name reading: "female weaver")
notes: Chizuru calls her "Hime", which could be translated as "princess" as a nickname. KT played on her name as Vega Highwell on one of the title spreads as her 'translated (band?) name'. This clued me in on the fact that Orihime's name is actually based on a Chinese myth where Orihime in the story is also known as the star Vega. Yachiru nicknamed her "bururun" (ぶるるん) which comes from the word "buru" which means "bloomers", more or less associated with "buru-sera" which is the name for Japan's school-girl fetish. I also saw this translated as "big booby", which might as well be the case since Yachiru is pretty much calling Orihime an "early bloomer".
Inoue Sora
井上 昊
Inoue: "well"; "above" or "up"
Sora: "sky"
notes: Sora's name means sky, but it's spelled with one of the kanji variations not the usual one (空), even though it's pronounced the same. Considering his sister is named after a star, it makes sense for her brother to be the sky. He's actually named after the mangaka Inoue Sora. And before anyone asks, his full name is listed in the character polls.
Ishida Ryuuken
石田 竜弦
Ishida: "stone"; "rice field"
Ryuuken: "dragon"; "bow string"
notes: Ishida's father. Note how "dragon" (竜) is in Uryuu's name, and "bow string" (弦) is in Souken's name. thenakedcat offers an interesting historical link to samurai names to the Ishida family.
Ishida Souken
石田 宗弦
Ishida: "stone"; "rice field"
Souken: "religion"; "bow string"
notes: Ishida's grandfather. thenakedcat offers an interesting historical link to samurai names to the Ishida family.
Ishida Uryuu
石田 雨竜
Ishida: "stone"; "rice field"
Uryuu: "rain"; "dragon"
notes: Ichigo misread his first name as "Ametatsu" because those are the default pronounciations. Yachiru nicknamed him "enpitsu" (エンピツ) which means "pencil". thenakedcat offers an interesting historical link to samurai names to the Ishida family.
Kagine
鍵根
Kagine: "key"; "radical"
notes: Full name unknown. More commonly known as Kagine-sensei. He's the teacher that gives Ichigo more or less the hard time. Thanks fusaki_aiko.
Kojima Mizuiro
小島 水色
Kojima: "small"; "island" (Name reading: "islet")
Mizuiro: "water"; "color"
notes: Mizuiro is the color name for "light blue". Thanks oceanizer
Kon
コン
Kon: katakana, no meaning. "Kon".
notes: Ichigo named him Kon by taking the kon (魂, "soul") out of 'Kaizoukonpaku' (改造魂魄), which is: "modify"; "structure"; "soul"; "soul" (yes, two 'soul's, different kanji)--ergo "Mod-soul"
Kunieda Ryou
国枝 鈴
Kunieda: "country"; "branch"
Ryou: "small bell"
notes: none.
Kurosaki Ichigo
黒崎 一護
Kurosaki: "black"; "cape" (geographic def.)
Ichigo: "one"; "safeguard"
notes: There are countless puns on Ichigo's name. The first is obviously "strawberry" (苺), another is the numbers 1 ("ichi"; 一) and 5 ("go"; 五) to make 15 (although 15 in Japanese should actually be "juugo"; 十五). In and early title spread, KT translated his english band name as "Jetcape-15". Everything is self explanatory except for "jet"--which, here, refers to the definition of a deep, black coal color. And thanks to himawari for reminding me that Karin calls Ichigo "Ichi-nii" (一兄), which is her calling him "Ichi-big brother", or if you want to translate it literally, "number one big brother". yuumeko adds that if it were to be "Ichi-niisan" (一兄さん), it would be a clever pun for "1-2-3", as they are pronounced "ichi" (一), "ni" (二) and "san" (三).
Kurosaki Isshin
黒崎 一心
Kurosaki: "black"; "cape" (geographic def.)
Isshin: "one"; "mind" (Name reading: "whole-heartedness")
notes: As arcz pointed out, Isshin's name reading could also be "one heart", which could be a sign of his one-love in life: Masaki.
Kurosaki Karin
黒崎 夏梨
Kurosaki: "black"; "cape" (geographic def.)
Karin: "summer"; "pear (tree)"
notes: "Rin" (梨) is not a pronounciation for the kanji, though "ri" is. It is pronounced "rin" in one compound, "karin" (花梨, more commonly カリン), which is the Chinese quince. Credit goes to petronia for the info.
Kurosaki Masaki
黒崎 真咲
Kurosaki: "black"; "cape" (geographic def.)
Masaki: "truth" or "reality"; "blossom"
notes: none.
Kurosaki Yuzu
黒崎 遊子
Kurosaki: "black"; "cape" (geographic def.)
Yuzu: "play"; "child"
notes: Yuzu is also a pun for a grapefruit-like citrus fruit (柚子; same pronounciation). Karin and Yuzu are homonyms for two common fruits found in candy/cough drops, much like the flavors lemon/lime. Thanks again to petronia. Which just makes sense how "Ichigo" is also a homonym for strawberry--yet another common candy flavor.
Momohara Tetsuo
桃原 鉄生
Momohara: "peach"; "meadow"
Tetsuo: "iron"; "life"
notes: He's the guy that sat in Rukia's spot after she disappeared.
Natsui Mahana
夏井 真花
Natsui: "summer"; "well"
Mahana: "up bringing"; "flower"
notes: none.
Ochi Misato
越智 美諭
Ochi: "surpass"; "wisdom"
Misato: "beauty"; "admonish"
notes: none.
Ogawa Michiru
小川 みちる
Ogawa: "small"; "river" (Name reading: "stream")
Michiru: hiragana, no meaning. "Michiru"
notes: While Michiru has no actual meaning, it has the same pronounciation as the verb michiru (満ちる) which means "to be full". So her name could mean "a swelling stream". Thanks harukami for reminding me!
Oojima Reiichi
大島 麗一
Oojima: "big"; "island"
Reiichi: "lovely" or "companion"; "one"
notes: none.
Toba Ryohei
戸羽 龍平
Toba: "door"; "feathers"
Ryohei: "(imperial) dragon"; "flat"
notes: One of Karin's friends ("the most perverted one"). The "ba" kanji (羽) is also a counter for birds and rabbits.
Tohno Midoriko
遠野 翠子
Tohno: "distant"; "plains/field" or "civilian life"
Midoriko: "green"; "child"
notes: Karin and Yuzu's friend/classmate. I believe she has a crush on Keigo, according to the Volume 14 inbetween-chapter sketches (I can't read all of it, so I don't know). I mention this because they both have the same kanji (野; "no") in their names.
Toujoin Heita; Pinta
東条院 平太; ピン太
Toujoin: "east"; "article" or "clause"; "mansion"
Heita: "flat"; "thick"
Pinta: pin is katakana, no meaning, "pin"; "thick"
notes: One of Karin's friends (the poor one). Not sure what the nickname means.
Sado Yasutora; Chad
茶渡 泰虎; チャド
Sado: "tea"; "transit"
Yasutora: "peaceful"; "tiger"
Chad: katakana, no meaning. "Chado"
notes: Ichigo misreads his name "Sado" as "Chado" (thus "Chad") because the kanji for "tea" is usually pronounced "cha". Yachiru nicknamed him "moririn" (モリリン). I'm not sure about the meaning (although I think it means "hairy"), but I saw it translated as "big bear".
Uehara Kei; Donny
上原 敬; ドニー
Uehara: "above" or "up"; "meadow"
Kei: "revere"
Donny: katakana, no meaning. "Doni"
notes: One of Karin's friends. The one that looks like Ronald McDonald, thus "Donny"
Usuka Kazuya
宇坂 和哉
Usaka: "roof" or "heaven"; "hill"
Kazuya: "harmony"; kanji used to express awe or admiration (english equivalent such as "alas!")
notes: One of Karin's friends ("the stupid one despite the glasses").
Urahara Shop
Urahara Kisuke
浦原 喜助
Urahara: "sea coast"; "meadow"
Kisuke: "rejoice" or "indulge"; "rescue"
notes: none.
Hanakiri Jinta
花刈 ジン太
Hanakiri: "flower"; "clip" (as in to cut)
Jinta: "jin" is in katakana, no meaning; "thick"
notes: No idea why "Jinta" is half in katakana, really. Although "ji~n" is a sound effect for a serious stare.
Shihouin Yoruichi; "Shunshin" Yoruichi
四楓院 夜一; 「瞬神」夜一
Shihouin: "four"; "maple"; "insitution"
Yoruichi: "night"; "one"
Shunshin: "blink" or "flash"; "god"
notes: "Shunshin" Yoruichi is a play on her name, and is her nickname. Better translated as "God of flash", the "shun" kanji indicating that she's gone in a blink of an eye. "Shunshin Yoruichi" together can also refer to how Yoruichi suddenly disappeared over the course of one night.
Tsukabishi Tessai
握菱 テッサイ
Tsukabishi: "grip"; "water chestnut"
Tessai: katakana, no meaning. "Tessai"
notes: oceanizer points out that Tessai might use the kanji 鉄斎, meaning "iron" and "clean/holy".
Tsumugiya Ururu
紬屋 ウルル (紬屋 雨)
Tsumugiya: "pongee" (a knitted silk cloth); "shop dealer"
Ururu: "rain"
notes: Ururu is an extremely odd name, as the pronounciation doesn't even exist for the kanji. Ururu, however, is a play on the Japanese onomatopoeia for drooping. Ururun is the sound effect of someone getting teary or having a morose personality. It's usually written in katakana, anyway, so it seems more like a sound effect.
Vizored
Hirako Shinji
平子 真子
Hirako: "flat"; "child"
Shinji: "truth" or "reality"; "child"
notes: Pretty much "flat child, true child". He's quite a character: when he's introduced, he wrote his name as a mirror image. He also explained his name as so:
"'Hira' (平; "flat") from 'henbeiroku' (扁平足; "flat foot").
'Ko' (子; "child") from 'Ono no Imoko' (小野 妹子; A famous Japanese politician in ancient Japan in the 600s during the Kofun era).
'Shin' (真; "truth") from 'shinsei houkei' (真性包茎; "genuine phimosis").
'Ji' (子; "child") from 'karashi mentaiko' (辛子明太子; cod roe flavored with red pepper sauce)."
Sarugaki Hiyori
猿柿 ひよ里
Sarugaki: "monkey"; "shingle"
Hiyori: hiragana, no meaning, "hiyo"; "village"
notes: I don't know why her first name is half in hiragana and half in kanji, but maybe we'll see? Also, "gaki" (柿) can also mean "persimmon"
Arrankar
No. 6 Grimm Jow Jagger Jack
グリムジョー・ジャガージャック
Grimm Jow: katakana, no meaning, "gurimu jo-"
Jagger Jack: katakana, no meaning, "jaga-jakku"
notes: Not much to say, since it's the official spelling. It's most likely a play off of "grim jaw", and the spelling "grimm" is probably an allusion to the Brothers Grimm.
No 11. Shaw Long Kufang
シャウロン・クーファン
Shau Long: katakana, no meaning, "shau ron"
Kufang: katakana, no meaning, "ku-fan"
notes: Other then sounding stereotypically Chinese, can't decipher it more since it was given in katakana... mystym says that "Shau Long" is Chinese for "small dragon", and while the romanization may be "shaw" the katakana for it is "shau".
No. 13 Edorado Leones
エドラド・リオネス
Edorado Leones: katakana, no meaning, "edorado rionesu"
notes: Testy spelling. There's no official one from Kubotite yet, so this may change in the future. Though thanks to andrew_jp for the better romanization correction. mystym mentions that it could be a play off of "Eldorado", which is the spanish words for "el dorado", meaning "the gilded one" or "the golden man".
No 15. Il Forte Grans
イールフォルト・グランシ
Il Forte: katakana, no meaning, "iruforuto"
Grans: katakana, no meaning, "guranshi"
notes: No official spelling yet or number, so this could change. andrew_jp offered a better romanization, "Il Forte" in Italian (or even "El Fuerte" in Spanish, but the romanization doesn't quite fit that one) to mean "the strong".
No. 16 Di Roy
ディ・ロイ
Di Roy: katakana, no meaning, "di roi"
notes: mystym provides two explantions: in Vietnamese, "di" means "to move behind" or "crush with feet rubbing", and "roi" is a "switch" or "rod cane". In French, "roi" is "king", and the Latin "di" means "from (a location)".
Nakim
ナキーム
Nakim: katakana, no meaning, "naki-mu"
notes: Again, no official spelling or number yet. mystym provides this explanation:
"NAKIM - (also referred to the 'Els', short for 'Elder Race' or simply as the 'Giants'). Referred to in ancient Hebrew tradition, this race is allegedly tied-in with ancient humans who broke off from mainstream humanity because of their vast size which had developed over the centuries, possibly as a result of a genetic anomaly. They are said to range anywhere from 9-11 and in some cases even 12 ft. in height, although in configuration are remarkably similar to 'International' humans. They have allegedly been encountered in deep and extensive cavern systems from Alaska to Mexico, and are believed to have interstellar travelling capabilities (Evadamic)."
Ulquiorra
ウルキオラ
Ulquiorra: katakana, no meaning, "urukiora"
notes: "Ulquiorra" is a bastardized spanish spelling of the name "Urquiola"--but hey, KT calls the calls. There's no "official" Spanish dictionary (the Royal Academy of Spain) or any other dictionary that starts with a "urq" (or any variation thereof). The best guess is that Urquiola is a spanish version of a a Basque family name for "urkiola" (pronounced practically the same way), which means "a grove of birch trees". Urquiola is also the name of an oil tanker that exploded on the coast of Spain in 1976. Major thanks to himawari for the research on the name!
Yammy
ヤミー
Yammy: katakana, no meaning, "yami-"
notes: There's no clear English spelling for this name. Some know him as "Yami", but I prefer the spelling "Yammy". It can also be "Yammie" if just for the long "ee" sound at the end of his name. Then again, "yammy" is also the Japanese spelling for "yummy", and considering that he scarfed down souls in his entrance, it's suitable.
Soul Society: Alley
Horiuchi Hironari
堀内 ひろなり
Horiuchi: "canal"; "within"
Hironari: hiragana, no meaning. "hironari"
notes: Yuuichi's 'brother'. I couldn't find the kanji for his first name, since Yuuichi is a gradeschool kid so when he introduces Horiuchi, he does it by saying his name in hiragana (elementary-like). Chad politely repeated 'Horuichi' in kanji for us, but left his first name hanging. I have yet to find it in the character polls. If anybody knows it, please say so.
Shibata Yuuichi
柴田 優一
Shibata: "brush" or "firewood"; "rice field"
Yuuichi: "tenderness" or "actor"; "one"
notes: none.
Shiba House
Ishino Mitsuru; Fever
石野 満; フィーバー
Ishino: "stone"; "plains/field" or "civilian life"
Mitsuru: "full" (satisfy) or "pride"
Fever: katakana, no meaning. "fiba"
notes: One of Ganju's lackeys.
Kanehiko
金彦
Kanehiko: "gold"; "boy"
notes: One of the twins. Thanks fusaki_aiko.
Miyamoto Taichi; Hawk
宮本 太一; ホーク
Miyamoto: "constellation" or "palace" or "princess"; "present" (time) or "talent"
Taichi: "thick"; "one"
Hawk: katakana, no meaning, "hoku"
notes: One of Ganju's lackeys.
Shiba Ganju
志波 岩鷲
Shiba: "resolve"; "waves"
Ganju: "cliff"; "eagle"
notes: Shiba names have an odd pattern: a place representing one of the 4 elements and a bird. Ganju is "rock" representing "earth", ergo "eagle of the rock". Yachiru nicknamed him "Goalie" (ゴリー; "goalie").
Shiba Kuukaku
志波 空鶴
Shiba: "resolve"; "waves"
Kuuakaku: "sky"; "crane"
notes: Shiba names have an odd pattern: a place representing one of the 4 elements and a bird. Kuukaku is "sky" representing "air", ergo "crane of the sky". Kuukaku also has the kanji for "sky" tattooed on her arm, thus the chapter title "Tattoo on the sky"
Shiroganehiko
銀彦
Shiroganehiko: "silver"; "boy"
notes: One of the twins. Thanks fusaki_aiko.
Saionji Sasatomo; Dumb-bell
西園寺 貞友; ダンベル
Saionji: "west"; "park" or "garden"; "temple"
Sasatomo: "chastity" or "righteousness"; "friend"
Danberu: katakana, no meaning, "danberu"
notes: One of Ganju's lackeys. I'm guessing on the nickname pronounciation.
Yamashita Kenji; Top
山下 拳児; トップ
Yamashita: "mountain"; "down"
Kenji: "fist"; "newborn babe"
Top: katakana, no meaning, "toppu"
notes: One of Ganju's lackeys.
Gate Guardians
・ East Shouryuu Gate Guardian Kaiwan
東・青流門 嵬豌
Shouryuu: "blue"; "current" (flow)
Kaiwan: "high and flat"; "pea"
notes: I decided to translate the gate names they protected along with their names. oceanizer points out that the kai (嵬) may have a connotation of "rocks or stones lying around a steep mountain".
・ North Kokuryou Gate Guardian Danzoumaru
北・黒稜門 断蔵丸
Kokuryou: "black"; "edge" or "power"
Danzoumaru: "prohibit" or "judgement"; "hide" or "posess"; "round"
notes: I decided to translate the gate names they protected along with their names. "Maru" is a standard male ending to a name.
・ South Shuwai Gate Guardian Hikonyuutou
南・朱洼門 比鉅入道
Shuwai: "red"; "sunken in"
Hikonyuutou: "compare"; "big"; nyuutou together is "entering priesthood"
notes: I decided to translate the gate names they protected along with their names. The "wai" kanji (洼) doesn't exist in Japense. Thanks fogster for looking up the Chinese meaning!
・ West Hakutou Gate Guardian Ikkanzaka Jidanbou
西・白道門 一貫坂 兕丹坊
Hakutou: "white"; "teachings" or "path"
Ikkanzaka: Ikkan together is "coherency" or (I kid you not) "integration 8.333 lbs"; "hill"
Jidanbou: "female rhino"; "rust colored"; "his or her boy" or "priest's residence"
notes: I decided to translate the gate names they protected along with their names. The "ji" kanji (兕) doesn't exist in Japense. Thanks fogster for looking up the Chinese meaning!
Four Gods
notes: (thanks to moonsheen for the help!) Since KT is using colors with the directions (North, East, West, South), he is very blatantly referring to the 4 gods:
・ Byakko (白虎): White Tiger of the West
・ Genbu (玄武): Black Turtle/Snake of the North
・ Seiryuu (青龍): Blue Dragon of the East
・ Suzaku (朱雀): Red Pheonix of the South
Soul Society: 13 Divisions
DIVISION 1
Cpt. Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni
山本 元柳斎 重國
Yamamoto: "mountain"; "present" (time) or "talent"
Genryuusai: "origin"; "willow"; "purification"
Shigekuni: "heavy pile"; "country"
notes: You may notice that I used different meanings for the kanji 本 from the one in Chizuru's name. Fact is, that kanji has a lot of different meanings. I tried to use the ones that go with the sounds used in the name. The kanji for "purification" has also a oxymoronic definition of "avoid" and "alike". The kanji for "country" used here (國) is a different variation used from the usual kanji (国).
V. Cpt. ???
DIVISION 2
Cpt. Soi Fong (previously Shao Ling)
砕蜂 (previously 梢綾)
Soi Fong: "smash" or "break"; "hornet"
Shao Ling: "treetops" or "twig"; "(satin) figured cloth"
notes: Soi Fong's name is extremely poetic and interesting. Considering Soi Fong seems to be of Chinese origin (in the land of the dead too, hah), the mandarin pronounciation is apparantly "Sui Feng". The kanji for "soi" (砕) is also used in the phrase "mi wo kudaku" (身を砕く), which means "to devote yourself completely to something". And on one last note, considering her soul cutter is named Suzumebachi (雀蜂; "hornet", also reflected in her name) yet uses butterfly imagery gives light to the saying "float like a butterly, sting like a bee." A lot of information taken from this thread.
V. Cpt. Oomaeda Nikkoutarouemon Yoshiayamenosuke Marechiyo
大前田 日光田郎右衛門 美菖蒲介 希千代
Oomaeda: "big"; "before"; "rice field"
Nikkoutarouemon: nikkou together is "sunlight"; "rice field"; counter for "son"; "right" (direction); "defense"; "gates"
Yoshiayamenosuke: "beauty"; ayame together is "iris" (flower); "mediate"
Marechiyo: "pray"; chiyo together is "a thousand years" (exaggeration for "a long time")
notes: The length of his NAME should warrent a note, holy hell. (thank you, V-Jump). Marechiyo roughly means "pray that he lives for a long time" (I feel for Soi Fong). I'm willing to vote his arrogancy beats Byakuya's.
DIVISION 3
Cpt. Ichimaru Gin
市丸 ギン
Ichimaru: "market" or "town"; "round"
Gin: katakana, no meaning. "Gin"
notes: because some people will get a kick of this: the kanji for "maru" can also mean "seduce" or "explain away" in the verb "marumeru" (丸める). shiroro also notes that "maru" can also be a slang for "naked". "Gin", while it has no kanji, is the same pronounciation (pun) for "silver", or even to the legend of the "gin gitsune" (銀狐), which means "silver fox". More information here (scroll down to "fox lore").
V. Cpt. Kira Izuru
吉良 イヅル
Kira: "good luck" or "congratulations"; "pleasing" or "skilled"
Izuru: katakana, no meaning. "Izuru"
notes: We all know how outright hilarious his name is when we all know he's a the twitchiest neurotic basketcase, right? oceanizer mentions that Izuru's "zuru" migght come from the kanji 狡which means "slyness" or "crafty".
DIVISION 4
Cpt. Unohana Retsu
卯ノ花 烈
Unohana: "4th chinese zodiac, the rabbit"; "no" (katakana, no meaning); "flower"
Retsu: "violent"
notes: "Unohana" is literally "U no hana", which can be roughly translated as "flower of the rabbit". shiroro says the reason for this is because another name for May is "utsuki" (卯月; "rabbit month"), and the flower, unohana, was named after that month, thus "flower of the rabbit". Another not for the kanji "u" (卯) is that it can also mean "east" or even "5-7 AM" (I kid you not), this is because the hours on the clock have symbols of the Chinese zodiac. Unohana is also a shrub called Deutzia or Utsugi (空木), as petronia, shiroro and oceanizer pointed out. oceanizer also noted that the kanji "retsu" (烈) can also be used with "woman" (女; "onna") to mean "strong female belief/faith".
V. Cpt. Kotetsu Isane
虎徹 勇音
Kotetsu: "tiger" or "drunkard"; "penetrate" or "strike home" or "sit up (all night)"
Isane: "courage"; "sound"
notes: I included a lot of meanings with the kanji in Kotetsu just to show how it can change between the two sisters (Kotetsu Kiyone and Isane). Isane literally means "the sound of courage", ironic when Isane is one to dither, stay up at night worried and generally be a mouse.
3rd St. Iemura Yasochika
伊江村 八十千和
Iemura: "that one"; "inlet"
Yasochika: Yaso together is "eighty"; "thousand", "harmony"
notes: oceanizer mentions that "Yaso" was used a lot in names in ancient Japan, and it means "a numerous amount". Ergo "Yasochika" is "numerous thousands of harmony". If there's a story behind this, I'd love to hear it.
7th St. Yamada Hanatarou
山田 花太郎
Yamada: "mountain"; "rice field"
Hanatarou: "flower"; "thick"; counter for "son"
notes: None really, except that characters in Bleach claim that this name is hard to remember. oceanizer says the reason why it's hard to remember is because "Yamada Tarou" is the Japanese equivalent of John Doe, and "Yamada Hanako" is the equivalent of Jane Doe. And as "Yamada Hanatarou" uses elements from both, it's confusing. In short, Hanatarou is a nobody....literally.
8th St. Ogidou Harunobu
荻堂 春信
Ogidou: "reed"; "public chamber" or "hall"
Harunobu: "spring"; "trust" or "fidelity"
notes: Dude I totally found this by accident.
DIVISION 5
Cpt. Aizen Sousuke
藍染 惣右介
Aizen: "indigo"; "dye"
Sousuke: suffix meaning "all"; "right" (direction); "mediate"
notes: Interesting thing about indigo dye: there is no true indigo color for dye. It's synthetic. (more information here). Aizen also has something to do with the chapter title "end of hypnosis 3 (the Blue Fog)", as Aizen claimed his sword would confuse enemies in fog before he revealed it. fusaki_aiko notes that aizen is a pun for "before love" (愛前).
V. Cpt. Hinamori Momo
雛森 桃
Hinamori: "duckling" or "doll"; "forest"
Momo: "peach"
notes: She has the cutest written name ever. Look at the repeating radicals! Look at it! Aaaawww!
DIVISION 6
Cpt. Kuchiki Byakuya
朽木 白哉
Kuchiki: "rot"; "wood"
Byakuya: "white"; kanji used to express awe or admiration (english equivalent such as "alas!")
notes: In an early title spread, KT translated the name as "Rotwood", so you the meaning is pretty literal. There's also symbolic imagery for the Byakuya vs Ichigo fight, as BOTH their names were huge foreshadowing for the setting: fighting black on a promonontory behind white rotting trees.
V. Cpt. Abarai Renji
阿散井 恋次
Abarai: "flatter" or "recess"; "scatter"; "well"
Renji: "yearning love"; "next in a sequence"
notes: "Renji" is literally translated as a "second love" (RenRuki fans should get a kick out of this, since Rukia had her first crush on Kaien). I'll just say that whoever named Renji must have been a bitter, bitter person.
Rikichi
理吉
Rikichi: "logic"; "good luck" or "congratulations"
notes: his fullname is unknown, or his seat in the division, if he has one.
DIVISION 7
Cpt. Komamura Sajin
狛村 左陣
Komamura: "lion-dog shrine guards"; "town"
Sajin: "left"; "camp" or "battle array"
notes: I think we're all kicking ourselves for missing the "koma" (狛) translation, aren't we?
V. Cpt. Iba Tetsuzaemon
射場 鉄左衛門
Iba: "shoot" (archery); "location"
Tetsuzaemon: "iron"; "left" (direction); "defense"; "gate"
notes: none.
4th St. Ikkanzaka Jiroubou; Kamaitachi Jiroubou
一貫坂 慈楼坊; 鎌鼬 慈楼坊
Ikkanzaka: Ikkan together is "coherency" or (I kid you not) "integration 8.333 lbs"; "hill"
Jiroubou: "mercy"; "watchtower" or "lookout"; "his or her boy" or "priest's residence"
Kamaitachi: "sickle" or "trick"; "weasle" (name reading: "cut caused by whirlwind")
notes: The fact that "mercy" is even in his name makes me laugh (he's the guy that attacked Orihime when they first crashlanded into SS). The "bou" (坊) kanji is similar to Jidanbou's--they're connection as brothers. "Kamaitachi" is his nickname, and the name reading can also be translated as "folklorific monster", based on the myth creature Kamaitachi. It might be a pun as to why he was so keen on attacking Orihime; faery tale monsters always try to capture/eat the princess.
DIVISION 8
Cpt. Kyouraku Shunsui
京楽 春水
Kyouraku: "capital" (city); "music" or "comfort/amusement"
Shunsui: "spring"; "water"
notes: SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH--I'm sorry.
V. Cpt. Ise Nanao
伊勢 七緒
Ise: "that one"; "military strength"
Nanao: "seven"; "inception" or "strap"
notes: I believe "Ise" and "Nanao" are actual locations. Besides that, though, the "o" (緒) kanji also means "thong". Countdown to Nanao-in-thong fanart starting Tee-3...2...
3rd St. Yenjouji Tatsufusa
円乗寺 辰房
Yenjouji: "yen" (currency); "power"; "temple"
Tatsufusa: "5th chinese zodiac, the dragon"; "tuft" or "lock (of hair)"
notes: Similar to Unohana, the "Tatsu" (辰) kanji can also mean "7-9 AM". Whether this has any relation to her, I do not know. It's a different spelling than the normal dragon kanji (竜), like the one we see in Tatsuki's name.
DIVISION 9
Cpt. Tousen Kaname
東仙 要
Tousen: "east" and "hermit"
Kaname: "main point" ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small}
soul_society,
