Ask John: Why is “Maru” so Common in Character Names?

Question:
Does “-maru” have some kind of special meaning? Why is it so common in characters’ name, such as “Shikamaru,” “Orochimaru,” “Zabimaru,” and “Yadoumaru” to name the few that I know of?

Answer:
The suffix “-maru” is said to be added to words or names representing something beloved. That’s one explanation for why the suffix is most commonly associated with the names of Japanese naval ships. However, the more likely reason why certain anime character names end in “-maru” is simply because the word, which means “circle,” evokes connotations of being old. For Japanese speakers, names that end in “-maru” just sound old and traditional, which is why characters associated with ancient Japan or historical Japanese concepts like ninja frequently have names that end in “-maru.” Examples include Shikamaru, Lisa Yadoumaru, and Orochimaru from Naruto; Misao-maru and Zabimaru from Bleach; One Piece’s Sentomaru, who is adapted from the Japanese fairy tale character Kintaro; the Wataru robot Ryuomaru, the boy prince Ojarumaru, and the female ninja Kaidohmaru both from anime set in the Heian era.