English translations of japanese names in Anime
 

Mostly Naruto:

Naruto Uzumaki: Naruto is actually a word for a sort of fish cake; but in the intended translation is is meant to mean something along the lines of whirlpool or spool of energy. Uzumaki is simply a whirlpool or maelstrom.

Itachi Uchiha: In a rough translatoin of Itachi one could get 'king blood'. However it is a direct translation of the word 'weasle'. In Japanese weasles are symbols of death and misfortunes among families which is ironic.

Kakashi Hatake: Scarecrow and field/crop.

Gaara no Sabaku: Gaara's name is actually one of the most complicated to my understanding. Ga intending to mean 'I' or 'me'; the A short for Ai meaning to love and Ra in this case meaning demon. In short Gaara's name means "I am a self-loving demon."
(So as a note to those who write fanfics and such; it is not Garra it is Gaara.)

Those are the only ones I have so far. I will add more. There is one however I am having the most trouble translating. Pein... the leader of the Akatsuki I haven't the slightest idea what it means. If someone has that translation I'd like to know. Thank you. ^^

Isn't it just from the English word "pain"?
I believe so.

That would make sense ^^' I just wasn't sure. Thank you for pointing that out.

I found some more translations:

Ino Yamanaka: It is a bit more difficult for me, but I think that it is supposed to mean a boar/pig under a mountain. Again ironic in the sense that in the anime Sakura calls her a pig.

Sakura's name means cherry blossom of course.

Uchiha: That is a word for a paper fan used to feed flames. The Uchiha's by the way use a great many fire jutsu.

Iruka actually means dolphin as far as I understand it.

Kurenai means chrimson or red. Thusly, her eyes are a chrimson red.

Inuyasha's 'Miryoku' his name actually means charmer. ^^ That one was funny.

More on the way

Sincerely,
Rakashael

Interesting info.

You know, with Inuyasha, that name is easy translation: Dog Demon

Um... well, I have run across girls in anime by the name of Midori, which I believe is green

Ichigo (currently thinking of Kurosaki, but there are others): strawberry

Yuki: Snow

Orihime: weaver princess (I think)

that's all that comes to me right now