Japanese Names

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信玄
Shingen
しんげん

Meaning

Faithful mystery

Writing

Kanji: 信玄  · Hiragana: しんげん  · Romaji: Shingen

Gender

Male name

Rank

#108 most popular given name in Japan

Era group

This entry is placed in the samurai-era group — names this site groups with the Edo period and earlier.

Famous in Anime / Pop Culture

Shingen Takeda

Element

This site files this name under abstract.

Related Names

Where this page’s information comes from

  • Kanji, readings and meanings on this page come from this site’s own dataset, compiled 23 August 2026. They are not taken from an official register.
  • Ranking figures carry no published source and no reference date. Where our records disagreed, the number is withheld and the entry is marked under review.
  • The groupings on this site — era group, theme, and the cute / cool / traditional tags — are this site’s own grouping, not an official designation.
  • We have not yet checked these entries against an official list. Corrections are welcome through our Contact page and are checked before anything is changed.

A field left blank, or marked under review, means we have not yet confirmed it against a source — it does not mean the name lacks that attribute. Corrections are welcome through our Contact page.

Shingen is a masculine Japanese given name composed of kanji meaning "faithful" and "mystery," forming an abstract concept with profound connections to samurai heritage. This name ranks 107 among popular Japanese male choices and carries exceptional historical significance within Japanese culture. The most celebrated figure bearing this name is Takeda Shingen, a powerful feudal lord during Japan's Warring States period who earned recognition as one of the era's greatest military strategists. His legacy has ensured that Shingen remains a name associated with leadership, military brilliance, and political acumen across centuries of Japanese history.

Shingen emerged as a naming choice during the turbulent Sengoku period, when warlords and their families sought names reflecting strength, wisdom, and spiritual depth. The historical Takeda Shingen lived during the sixteenth century, establishing himself as a formidable daimyo whose strategies influenced military tactics for generations to come. His reputation extended beyond his lifetime, inspiring poets, historians, and artists throughout the Edo period and modern era. The name evolved from representing merely a samurai warrior to embodying the ideal of the noble, philosophical military leader who balanced tactical genius with spiritual understanding.

What makes Shingen distinctive is its philosophical depth combined with martial strength. The kanji pairing creates a name suggesting both steadfast reliability and enigmatic depth, qualities that appealed to ambitious feudal lords and continue to resonate today. The name carries weight and gravitas, suggesting maturity and wisdom beyond years. In traditional Japanese aesthetics, Shingen represents the intersection of action and contemplation, making it attractive to parents seeking names with intellectual as well as physical connotations. The two-character structure provides visual harmony while maintaining powerful cultural resonance.

Shingen maintains strong recognition throughout Japan and internationally among history enthusiasts and anime fans. The historical Takeda Shingen is extensively documented in Japanese historical texts, and his legacy features prominently in samurai-themed entertainment and educational media. English-speaking audiences can explore this name's significance through historical biographies, anime adaptations, and Japanese history museums. International visitors to Japan frequently encounter references to Shingen at historical sites related to the Warring States period, making the name accessible to those pursuing deeper cultural understanding.