"鰆魚" in Japanese is also referred to as "鰆 (sawara)," which represents mackerel and greenish-blue fish. In Japanese, fish that change their names as they grow are called "出世魚 (shussegyo)," and the Pacific saury belongs to this category. Pacific saury measuring less than 50cm in length is called "サゴシ (sagoshi)" or "サゴチ (sagochi)," while those around 50-60cm are called "ナギ (nagi)" or "ヤナギ (yanagi)," and adults measuring over 60cm are referred to as "鰆 (sawara)."

The Chinese character "鰆" is used to symbolize a fish that heralds spring. This is because Pacific saury gather along the coast to spawn during the spring season. The best season for sawara is not spring but rather from autumn to winter when it contains a higher amount of oil, making it especially delicious.