Bleach names and meanings!

[Oreias]

Found a neat link where a person explains what their names mean! I LOVE how they explained Renji's name!  (oh shush lol!)
Kinda fun to see what their japanese names mean really ^^ Hinoe, Rukia and Chad was cool too!

http://community.livejournal.com/soul_society/330097.html

[L]

I'll just copy and paste them to save people the trouble of loading the gigantic page...

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. 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.




Vizard

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"

[L]

Arrancar

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"

notes: the "hermit" kanji (仙) can also mean "wizard"

V. Cpt. Hisagi Shuuhei
檜佐木　修兵

Hisagi: "Japanese cypress"; "assistant" or "left" (direction); "tree"

Shuuhei: "self-discipline"; "soldier"

notes: none.

20th St. Umesada Toshimori
梅定　敏盛

Umesada: "plum"; "establish"

Toshimori: "cleverness"; "boom" or "prosper"

notes: Apparantly there are 15 20th seats, heh. He's the guy that hit on Orihime. The "mori" kanji (盛) also means "copulate".


DIVISION 10
Cpt. Hitsugaya Toushirou
日番谷　冬獅郎

Hitsugaya: "sun"; "turns in a series of sequence"; "valley"

Toushirou: "winter"; "lion"; counter for "son"

notes: You can all get the Narnia jokes out of your system, now. But besides that, Momo calls him "Shiro-chan", which I guess could be translated to "whitey". Shiro (assumingly) comes from shiroi (白い) which is "white", and -chan is a suffix to address affection. fruru_devilette points out that 'Shiro-chan' might be short for the last two kanji of his name (獅郎), even though the pronounciation is 'Shirou'. Hitsugaya comes from the western districts of the alley, west being the direction of Byakko (白虎) the white tiger. His district is the first sector: Junrinan (潤林安), which means: "watered by" or "receive benefits"; "grove"; "peace" or "cheap". Thanks kirimi!

V. Cpt. Matsumoto Rangiku
松本　乱菊

Matsumoto: "pine tree"; "present" (time) or "talent"

Rangiku: "riot" or "war"; "chrysanthemum"

notes: Chrysanthemum is the flower symbol for the third division.

[L]

DIVISION 11
Cpt. Zaraki Kenpachi
更木　剣八

Zaraki: "grow late" or "night watch"; "tree"

Kenpachi: "sword"; "eight"

notes: "Zaraki" is a name of the 80th district (the worst), so it would make sense why the name indicates one has to stay watch all night. Zaraki named himself "Kenpachi" because all the strongest men were named Kenpachi. Zaraki also came from the north.

V. Cpt. Kusajishi Yachiru
草鹿　やちる (草鹿　八千流)

Kusajishi: "grass"; "deer"

Yachiru: "eight", "thousand"; "current" or "forfeit"

notes: Kusajishi is the name of the 79th district in the northern area. Thanks to rukia for finding the kanji!

3rd St. Madarame Ikkaku
斑目　一角

Madarame: "blemish"; "eye"

Ikkaku: "one"; "angle" (name reading: "narwhal")

notes: "one angle" indicates a fixed point. Yachiru nicknames him "Pachinko-dama" (ぱちんこ玉). Pachinko is a popular gambling game that involves marbles, and "dama" is a ball or sphere. In short, she calls him "marble-head".

5th St. Ayasegawa Yumichika
綾瀬川　弓親

Ayasegawa: "(satin) figured cloth"; "rapids"; "river"

Yumichika: "bow" (archery or violin); "relative" or "familiarity"

notes: "Ayasegawa" probably translates to what smooth (satin) cloth looks like in motion: a rapid river. The kanji for "chika" (親) can also mean "card dealer"

10th St. Aramaki Makizou
荒巻　真木造

Aramaki: "rude" or "wild"; "volume" (book)

Makizou: "truth" or "reality"; "tree"; "structure"

notes: Yachiru calls him "Makimaki" (マキマキ), which is a sound effect for winding up something--in this case, rolling up a scroll (thus playing off "volume/book" in his name). Later re-nicknamed him as "Higechoro" (ヒゲチョロ) which means "trickling moustache".


DIVISION 12
Cpt. Kurotsuchi Mayuri
涅　マユリ

Kurotsuchi: "black soil"

Mayuri: katakana, no name meaning, "Mayuri"

notes: "Kurotsuchi" is interesting. It doesn't exist for this particular kanji, although the pronounciation AND the kanji both mean "black soil". "kurotsuchi" is usually spelled 黒土. KT merely took the pronounciation from one spelling and put it incorrectly to another kanji of the same meaning.

V. Cpt. Kurotsuchi Nemu
涅　ネム

Kurotsuchi: "black soil"

Nemu: katakana, no name meaning, "Nemu".

notes: Look at Mayuri for "kurotsuchi" meaning. Nemu, while there's no kanji, is a homonym for "silk tree" (合歓).


Akon
阿近

Akon: "flatter"; "nearly"

notes: Full name unknown. One of the gigai scientists. Thanks benizakura!


Hiyosu
鵯州

Hiyosu: "brown eared bulbul"; "state" or "province"

notes: Full name unknown. One of the gigai scientists. Pronounciation doesn't fit the kanji. Thanks benizakura!


Tsubokura Rin
壺府　リン

Tsubokura: "jar"; "government office"

Rin: katakana, no meaning. "Rin"

notes: An original character created for "Ichigo Issho" sessions at Bleach-Fan that appeared in the manga in ch190. emlan points out that "rin" is a sound effect for awe-inspired chills.


DIVISION 13
Cpt. Ukitake Juushirou
浮竹　十四郎

Ukitake: "float" or "rise to the surface"; "bamboo"

Juushirou: literally "fourteenth son"

notes: Want to bet Ukitake has thirteen brothers and his father just stopped being creative?


(Former) V. Cpt. Shiba Kaien
志波　海燕

Shiba: "resolve"; "waves"

Kaien: "ocean"; "swallow"

notes: Shiba names have an odd pattern: a place representing one of the 4 elements and a bird. Kaien is "ocean" representing "water", ergo "swallow of the ocean". You can speculate his wife's name follows the same pattern, but we won't know until KT says as much.

3rd St. Kotetsu Kiyone
虎徹　清音

Kotetsu: "tiger" or "drunkard"; "penetrate" or "strike home" or "sit up (all night)"

Kiyone: "purity"; "sound"

notes: Again, I left a lot of connotated meanings with the surname to show how it can relate to both sisters. Kiyone literally means "sound of purity", ironic (again) to her since she's loud, crude, insulting and apparantly is a usual drunkard.

3rd St. Kotsubaki Sentarou
小椿　仙太郎

Kotsubaki: "little"; "camellia"

Sentarou: "hermit"; "thick"; counter for "sons"

notes: the "hermit" kanji (仙) can also mean "wizard"


Kuchiki Rukia
朽木　ルキア

Kuchiki: "rot"; "wood"

Rukia: katakana, no meaning, "Rukia".

notes: In an early title spread, KT translated the name as "Rotwood", so you the meaning is pretty literal. Note that Rukia's maiden name is still a mystery, and that her first name is in katakana. KT doesn't want to give any hints. Although, Rukia might have something to do with the Japanese pronounciation for the flower of regret: Rue (ルー), which also has the second name "Wijnruit". Volume 16, "Night of Wijnruit" is the volume containing the flashback chapters with Kaien. Another thing to point out is Rukia's association with red: she comes from the southern district of the alley (south being direction of the Red Pheonix, suzaku (朱雀)), which is colored red. Inuzuri is located to the south. Renji has red hair. And her sister, Hisana, has scarlet in her name. ringononohara mentions that Rukia could be the Italian pronounciation for Lucia, meaning "light." The name is also a type of long-billed, white-eyed bird called "Rukia longirostra".




Other

Kuchiki Hisana
朽木　緋真

Kuchiki: "rot"; "wood"

Hisana: "scarlet"; "truth" or "reality"

notes: In an early title spread, KT translated the name as "Rotwood", so you the meaning is pretty literal. One might note that Hisana seems almost an answer to the question form of Byakuya's name.

Kurumadani Zennosuke
車谷　善之助

Kurumadani: "car"; "valley"

Zennosuke: "virtuous"; "of"; "rescue" (aid)

notes: He's the replacement shinigami for Rukia's district. Zennosuke literally means "To help is a virtue".


Saido Ekichirou
西堂　榮吉郎

Saido: "west"; "public chamber"

Ekichirou: "prosperity" or "honor"; "good luck" or "congratulations"; counter for "sons"

notes: Anime-only shinigami during the Memories of the Rain arc. Ekichirou roughly means "prosperous son".


Oomaeda family
Oomaeda Marenoshin
大前田　希ノ進

Oomaeda: "big"; "before"; "rice field"

Marenoshin: "pray"; katakana for "no", no meaning; "advance" or "promote"

notes: Marechiyo's father. Marenoshin is literally "mare no shin", which means "pray for a promotion". Thanks fusaki_aiko.

Oomaeda Mareka
大前田　希華

Oomaeda: "big"; "before"; "rice field"

Mareka: "pray"; "splendor" (gorgeous) or "flower"

notes: Marechiyo's mother. Mareka roughly means "pray for splendor". Thanks fusaki_aiko.

Oomaeda Maremi
大前田　希美

Oomaeda: "big"; "before"; "rice field"

Maremi: "pray"; "beauty"

notes: Marechiyo's older sister. Maremi roughly means "pray for beauty". Thanks fusaki_aiko.

Oomaeda Marejirousanburou
大前田　希次郎三郎

Oomaeda: "big"; "before"; "rice field"

Marejirousanburou: "pray"; "next in sequence"; counter for "son"; "three"; counter for "son"

notes: Marechiyo's little brother. Marejirousanburou roughly means "Pray that our son has three sons after us". Thanks fusaki_aiko.

Oomaeda Mareyo
大前田　希代

Oomaeda: "big"; "before"; "rice field"

Mareyo: "pray"; "replace" or "fee"

notes: Marechiyo's little sister. Mareyo roughly means "pray that someone replace her". Thanks fusaki_aiko.


Shun Shun Rikka 盾舜六花 ("shield"; "althea"; "six"; "flower")

・ Ayame
あやめ

Ayame: hiragana, no meaning.

notes: While it's written in hiragana, ayame (菖蒲) ss also the flower "(Siberian) Iris". It can also play off the verb "ayameru" (危める) which means "to wound/murder", as Ayame is one of the two fairies that help heal the injured.

・ Baigon　
梅厳

Baigon: "plum"; "strictness"

notes: "Plum" (梅) probably refers to "plum blossoms".

・ Hinagiku　
火無菊

Hinagiku: "fire"; "nothingness"; "chrysanthemum"

notes: Hinagiku is also a hononym for daisy (雛菊). Thanks oceanizer!

・ Lily　
リリィ

Lily: katakana, no meaning. "Ririi".

notes: translated to "Lily"

・ Shunou　
舜桜

Shunou: "althea"; "cherry tree"

notes: The "shun" kanji (舜) is the same one in the Shun Shun Rikka, which indicates that Shunou is the leader. Shun is a type of morning glory, or "rose of Sharon"--aka Althea.

・ Tsubaki　
椿鬼

Tsubaki: "camellia"; "ghost" or "devil"

notes: "tsubaki" is actually the pronounciation of the first kanji (椿), yet somehow KT extended it over two.

[Oreias]

Well, it kinda didn't take their small images of who is who with the copy and paste that's why I didn't do it in the first place but thank you ^^

[L]

Dont mention it... but it'd actually be easier if it put their name alone, like a Naruto one i found

[L]

Sorry for double posting but i think Noitora's name derives from "Notorious".