I love this thread and love reading about your dogs names.
Here's the story about mine.
When I got Miko, I didn't have any name picked out for him. I wanted something "normal", but there were just too many Bailey's and Reilly's out there. I wanted something Hawaiian, but dang, they are like German names, LONG! lol. I'm not sure where I got Miko (Mee-ko) from, but this was per-Pocahontas days, so it wasn't from there. The sad thing is, I'd say it was Japanese, but it's a girls name in Japanese (and Miko's a boy). But, it went, and I'm glad I kept it.
I later changed his kennel name when AKC allowed changes. His mom is registered as Dark Edges, and as I think Miko is perfect, he is now My Dark Perfection. I think I stole a great Champion name for some dog, lol. Oh well.
Koji. Well, we wanted to go with the Japanese them and I wanted a dog with a 2 syllable name. It's easy to yell and do commands with. I liked that name and didn't look at the meaning until someone asked me. Koji, in Japanese, means happy second son. How fitting, huh? He is the second "son" and well, he was a very happy puppy. I'd say he still is.
His kennel name, OTOH, describes who he truly is. lol. It's Outta My Mind. I went with this for a few reasons. 1. I had a nervous breakdown because of him. I was totally crazy. And his dad's name is Mind Games. I felt it was fitting.
Now that both their names are Japanese, when they go over Rainbow Bridge, I'm going to tattoo their names, in Japanese (aka characters) on my inner wrist. So, they'll always be with me. I just have to decide if I want to "create" something for Miko or just use the girls meaning. Poor little boy, stuck with a girls name.
And lastly, if my next dog is an agility dog, I have a name picked out. It's not Japanese, but it's a word I've always loved.

I wonder what it'd be in Japanese. May have to look into that.
So, there's mine. Miko and Koji.