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Japanese Language Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [names]

名称. Names in Japanese, including how to use them and how to write them.

See also

324 questions
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Is it always necessary to ask how someone's name is pronounced if you encounter it first in writing?

This question is similar to "how many kanji do Japanese natives know?" but a bit more specific, because I'm particularly interested in the jinmeiyō kanji. My understanding is that they are the kanji commonly used for people's names. I am not clear…
temporary_user_name
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Can "Yutaka Umeda" (name of a Japanese mayor) be read as "Jo Baiden"?

I've recently read some curious news. Apparently, the mayor of a small Japanese town, Yutaka Umeda, has unexpectedly become somewhat of a celebrity after the recent US elections, because his name can also be read as "Jo Baiden". CBS: Thanks to the…
A. Darwin
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Same person, two kanji spellings for the name - why?

Is there a reason two different kanji sets might be used for the name of the same person? While trying to translate a little, and maybe improve my Japanese, I found two spellings for the name Ranmaru, and both are used for the same person (the…
Kat
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Should I put 「名・姓」 on a business card to avoid confusion?

I'm getting some business cards made up and will have my Western name in both Latin and Katakana. I've noticed that sometimes there is a bit of confusion when I verbally tell people my name, with them sometimes opting to use my first name when they…
user2141
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How extension names is handled in Japanese (Sr, Jr, III, IV)

I have an extension name (III) and i have trouble converting my name to japanese. Please help.
Rey
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Generic title for children?

At the store the other day, a toddler walked by and called me おじさん. I know this is a generic "mister" for children toward middle-aged adults. I'm wondering if there's an equivalent generic word for adults toward children?
Robert
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Historical naming conventions of Japanese first names? Modern interpretation of first names?

My understanding is that the kanji in Japanese women's first names are most likely to have a 訓読み reading, then a 名乗り reading, and least frequently an 音読み reading. Historically, they were likely to end in 子、but due to feminism this custom is slowly…
davewp
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Can Japanese names be anything?

I've read lots of mangas and seen many animes, and it seems a Japanese person can have virtually any kind of name (the meaning of a name can be something completely ridiculous). Is it true in real life, or is this only for the purpose of amusement,…
user
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Does the name Yoshi from Super Mario mean anything?

The Japanese spelling of Yoshi is Yosshii ヨッシー I couldn't find any information regarding the origin of this name. Is it a Japanese name ? Does it mean anything ? It's written in katakana which suggests to me that it is not a Japanese name and has no…
Kantura
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Why do Japanese titles often start with titles/appositions?

Sort of hinted by a recent question How would one express an opinion from the perspective of an inclusive group? . Japanese titles in books, songs, shows, etc. are accompanied with a title (status) or an apposition when there is a name. It happens…
user458
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Question about name rules

Is 靜目 夏樹 a valid name in Japan? Also, I am just curious, but how do you generally check the validity of a Japanese name?
LHC2012
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Do place names often use jinmeiyō kanji and furigana?

This is a small supplement to my previous question about the jinmeiyō kanji. Are they also used regularly in place names, like cities and towns, or only for people? And are place names similarly difficult to guess the pronunciation of without…
temporary_user_name
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Takehiko to Takejiro different name or diminutive?

I am teaching"In A Grove" from Feedbooks http://www.scribd.com/doc/3682435/In-a-Grove-by-Ryunosuke-Akutagawa and have found that the same man, the samurai Kanazawa no Takehiko, as he is named by in mother in law, is referred to inside the story by…
Susan
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Can katakana ワ be used in official name?

My wife's last name in passport is Levadnia. When our marriage certificate was translated into Japanese it became レヴァドニャ. To my taste having ヴァ in there is over-complicating. Also ニャ nya has a childish twist to it. I don't think there is a…
dimadesu
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As a foreigner with a Japanese name, what are the implications of writing my name in katakana or kanji?

I'm a foreigner, and my name is Shiori. I've heard of a several Japanese people with this name, and they write it with kanji (of course). I know that when you are a foreigner, you are supposed to write your name in katakana, but since my name is…
Ama
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