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From Japanese 加 meaning "add, increase" or 佳 meaning "good, auspicious, beautiful" combined with 代 meaning "generation, era" or 余 meaning "surplus" and finishing with 子 meaning "child". This name can also be formed from other combinations of kanji characters.
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From Japanese 英 meaning "excellent, fine" or 秀 meaning...
- Japanese Surnames
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These names, imbued with layers of meaning and cultural context, offer a glimpse into the enigmatic beauty and mystery associated with darkness in Japanese society. Join us as we delve into this fascinating realm, uncovering the hidden meanings behind these evocative monikers.
26,919 first names, 70,620 last names, 326,959 kanji variations. one of the best Japanese name searches for a baby!
Type or paste a Japanese name (using kanji, hiragana, or English) into the search area. Kanshudo will search for names matching your search text. For example, try: 佐藤. さとう. Satou. If you are only interested in the kanji, use Kanji search. If you are looking for the meaning of a specific word, use Word search.
- Most Common Japanese Names and Their Meanings
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Family names
There are about 100,000 unique Japanese surnames (family names). But, 10 of these are extremely common. Traditionally, these names reflected the geography of the family’s homeland. For example, Yamamoto (山本) means “base of a mountain.” And Ishikawa (石川) means “river of stones.” So, you’ll see clear trends in Japanese surnames by region. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most popular surnames to start. 1. Sato 佐渡.This name descends from an influential clan that gives it an aristocratic air. The...
First names
Like the western world, the sound of a name matters. Japanese first names that sound pleasant and harmonious are common. Unlike the western world, each Japanese name carries a significant meaning. The words chosen (usually 2 kanji) represent the hopes and values parents want to instill in their children. For example, Yamato(大和) means great harmony – a fitting name for a peaceful person. And Atsuko(温子) means warm sincerity – a name given with the hope to raise a kind, honest child. The ending...
Traditional naming
Japanese parents draw inspiration from a few places to choose a name. Birth order is the simplest. This tradition was common for boys’ names, for example: 1. Yoichi (陽一) – first son 2. Shinji (真二) – second son 3. Saburo (三郎) – third son You’ll find plenty of nature-related kanji in popular Japanese names too (another huge inspiration in naming). Nature Examples 1. Ayaka (彩華) – colourful flower 2. Haru (陽, 春) – sunlight, springtime 3. Sakura (桜) – cherry blossom Physical and personality traits...
Modern naming
It’s still uncommon. But more Japanese parents use hiragana and katakana in names in modern times. However, they are never mixed. These types of names feel inauthentic, especially as a surname. Using hiragana gives a name a soft, pure, and feminine quality. And katakana gives names a futuristic, sophisticated feel. Foreigners living in Japan also use katakana in non-Japanese names. In eras past, the current emperor affected the popularity of names. For decades now, the names of popular charac...
Kanji packs Japanese names with meaning – and makes them look beautiful too! But, there’s one problem. It’s hard to know how to pronounce someone’s name without furigana, which is the small hiragana above the characters. There are some kanji with identical pronunciations in different characters. Some have the same meaning in different characters. A...
It’s extremely rare to call someone by their first name alone in Japan. Unless they’re a very close friend, lover, or a child. The culture is slowly changing, but Japan is still very much a “last name” culture. You should avoid using anyone’s first name on its own, especially in a professional setting. Instead, you’ll add an honorific title to the ...
If you’d like to learn more about Japan, check out our blogfor more on Japanese language, daily life, and culture.
An Introduction to Japanese Names. In Japanese, the word for name is 名前 なまえ (namae). The first name is called 下 した の 名前 なまえ (shita no namae). It means the “bottom name” because Japanese is often written vertically. The last name is 名字 みょうじ (myouji).
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May 31, 2022 · Japanese names often reflect on emotion, nature, and positive traits, and their multisyllabic construction allows for a range of diverse combined meanings. If you’re looking for a simple yet deeply meaningful and inspirational name for your new baby boy, a Japanese name may be just the right fit.
