Wataru
/W-AA-T-AA-R-UH/
To cross over, to journey — Wataru (Japanese 渉) is the verb meaning 'to cross a river, to ford, to traverse.' Used as a name, it suggests the child will cross great distances and traverse difficult terrain — physically, intellectually, or emotionally. A name for a journeyer.
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How well does Wataru fit your family?
This page tells you what Wataru means. The app tells you whether it's right for your baby — scored against your family & your heritage, and your baby's birth details.
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Six signals — scored for your family & heritage, not in the abstract:
Meaning & origin
Yes — Wataru is a Buddhist boy name of Japanese origin, meaning “To cross over, to journey — Wataru (Japanese 渉) is the verb meaning 'to cross a river, to ford, to traverse.' Used as a name, it suggests the child will cross great distances and traverse difficult terrain — physically, intellectually, or emotionally. A name for a journeyer.”. It also appears in Shinto tradition.
Wataru is a boy's name of Japanese origin, traditionally used in Buddhist families. The name means "To cross over, to journey — Wataru (Japanese 渉) is the verb meaning 'to cross a river, to ford, to traverse.' Used as a name, it suggests the child will cross great distances and traverse difficult terrain — physically, intellectually, or emotionally. A name for a journeyer." and belongs to the Courage cluster — names for children who will grow into bold, fearless hearts.
Beyond its Buddhist heritage, Wataru is also used in Shinto traditions, reflecting how this name has traveled across cultures.
Common among Japanese families, Wataru carries cultural weight that goes beyond its dictionary definition — it's a name with a story and a community.
Wataru in the Buddhist tradition
Buddhist names often carry a virtue to aspire to — peace, wisdom, compassion. Wataru means “To cross over, to journey — Wataru (Japanese 渉) is the verb meaning 'to cross a river, to ford, to traverse.' Used as a name, it suggests the child will cross great distances and traverse difficult terrain — physically, intellectually, or emotionally. A name for a journeyer.”, with Japanese roots.
NameRoot shows the meaning. See the full meaning and heritage of Wataru, and how it scores for your family.
See Wataru's full reading →What does Wataru's numerology say?
Numerology assigns each name a single-digit destiny number by summing its letter values. Different schools use different mappings — NameRoot computes both so you can see how Wataru resonates in either tradition.
Wataru's destiny number is 3 — but a number only matters in context. The app matches it to your family's own numbers for a real compatibility read. See Wataru's full reading →
Does Wataru go with your family's names?
Wataru breaks into 6 sounds: /W-AA-T-AA-R-UH/. The real test isn't how it sounds alone — it's how it sounds beside the names already in your family: yours, your partner's, and any brothers or sisters. NameRoot scores that harmony, so Wataru sits naturally next to a Mum and Dad like Michael & Anna, or a big sister named Gianna — no awkward clashes, no two names that blur together. Hear Wataru beside your family's names →
Nicknames
Common affectionate forms of Wataru — useful for everyday family conversation, early childhood, or as standalone given names themselves.
Names similar to Wataru
If Wataru resonates with you, these names live in the same world — drawn from the same tradition, sharing the same meaning, or echoing a similar sound.
From the same tradition
Other Buddhist boy names, common in Japanese families
Sharing the same meaning
Other Buddhist boy names from the Courage cluster
Names that sound similar
Buddhist boy names that open with the same syllables as Wataru
Explore more names
Keep exploring names like Wataru — by tradition, by meaning, or by first letter.
Common questions about Wataru
What does the name Wataru mean?
Wataru means "To cross over, to journey — Wataru (Japanese 渉) is the verb meaning 'to cross a river, to ford, to traverse.' Used as a name, it suggests the child will cross great distances and traverse difficult terrain — physically, intellectually, or emotionally. A name for a journeyer.." It is a boy name of Japanese origin, traditionally used in Buddhist families.
Is Wataru a boy or girl name?
Wataru is most commonly used as a boy name.
What is the origin of the name Wataru?
Wataru is of Japanese origin, used in Buddhist, Shinto traditions, commonly among Japanese families.
Is Wataru a Buddhist name?
Yes. Wataru is a boy name traditionally used in Buddhist families, of Japanese origin. It also appears in Shinto tradition.
What does Wataru mean in Japanese?
Wataru originates from Japanese, where it means "To cross over, to journey — Wataru (Japanese 渉) is the verb meaning 'to cross a river, to ford, to traverse.' Used as a name, it suggests the child will cross great distances and traverse difficult terrain — physically, intellectually, or emotionally. A name for a journeyer.."
What are common nicknames for Wataru?
Common short forms of Wataru include Wata.
What is the numerology of Wataru?
Wataru has a Pythagorean destiny number of 3 — creativity and joyful expression.
See how Wataru scores for your family
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