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Learn all about Japanese Names

Do you want to know how to write your name in Japanese?

We’ll be honest with you—one of the questions we get asked the most on JapanesePod101 is on — yes, you guessed it — names. The most frequently asked questions include:

  • “How do you write an English name in Japanese?”
  • “Is it possible to make a nickname up and ask native Japanese speakers to use it?”
  • “Are there any Japanese names that sound like English names?”

For those who want to have their name in Japanese, we have made it simple for you to write your name today. Yes, today! This post is your one-stop guide regarding Japanese names!
 

Ask Us How to Write Your Name in Japanese!

Write your name in Japanese!

Want to know how to write your name in Japanese? Just ask us! We’ll write your name in Japanese.

  • Write your name in the English alphabet. Our Japanese teachers might not be able to read it otherwise.
  • If your name is pronounced differently from the spelling, please let us know the pronunciation.

How can you ask? First, log in to JapanesePod101. Then, simply leave a comment on this page.
 

 

Related Lessons

Writing Series
Writing in Japanese
 
Introduction to Japanese
Introduction to Japanese
 
Japanese Pronunciation
Japanese Pronunciation
 
Learn Japanese Every Day
Every DayJapanese
 

Table of Contents

  1. How to Write Your Name in Japanese
  2. How to Make Up Your Japanese Nickname
  3. Related Lessons

 

1. How to Write Your Name in Japanese

Top

 

Japanese people use Katakana to write English names. To write your English name in the Japanese alphabet, first you need to know the basics of Katakana.

The easiest way is to find a Katakana letter that corresponds to the pronunciation of your Japanese name. For example, if your name is “Maya,” look for the Katakana character for ma, which is マ, then the other character for ya, which is ヤ. You just need to put them together and write マヤ for “Maya.”

Japanese Alphabet Letters

Here are some English names in Katakana.

  • Noah ノア (Noa)
  • Jacob ジェイコブ (Jeikobu)
  • Micheael マイケル (Maikeru)
  • Daniel ダニエル (Danieru)
  • Olivia オリビア (Oribia)
  • George ジョージ (Jōji)
  • Thomas トーマス (Tōmasu)
  • Kimberly キンバリー (Kinbarī)

If you cannot find your name on this list or want to make your name in Katakana by yourself, here’s our video series for you. Check out How to Write in Japanese: Hiragana & Katakana and learn how to write Katakana for your English name.

This will help you learn the Japanese alphabet and start writing your name in Japanese by yourself!

 

2. How to Make Up Your Japanese Nickname

Top

How to Make Up Your Japanese Name
 

If you want to have your own Japanese name that sounds like a typical name that any native speaker could read and understand without problems, don’t worry.

Here’s a list of Japanese names hand-picked by our team. Pick the one that you like and use it as your Japanese name.

 

A. Japanese First Names

- a. Japanese Female Names

  • ミサキ (Misaki)
  • タケノ (Takeno)
  • ユイ (Yui)
  • ヒロコ (Hiroko)
  • ヒマリ (Himari)
  • シオリ (Siori)
  • ミオ (Mio)
  • ナツコ (Natsuko)

- b. Japanese Male Names

  • ダイチ(Daichi)
  • エイタ(Eita)
  • ヤマト(Yamato)
  • ケント(Kento)
  • ユウキ(Yūki)
  • リョウタ (Ryōta)
  • イツキ (Itsuki)
  • ワタル (Wataru)

B. Japanese Last Names

For those who want to have your own Japanese last name too, here’s the list of popular Japanese last names.

  • ワタナベ　(Watanabe)
  • ナカムラ　(Nakamura)
  • タカハシ　(Takahashi)
  • コバヤシ　(Kobayashi)
  • ササキ　（Sasaki)
  • サトウ　(Satō)
  • スズキ　(Suzuki)
  • タナカ　(Tanaka)
  • イトウ　(Itō)
  • ヤマモト　(Yamamoto)

 

3. Related Lessons

Top

Writing Series
 
In this video series, you will learn the Japanese alphabet, known as Kana We will teach you Hiragana and Katakana using simple steps, showing you the correct stroke order, helpful tricks for memorization, and proper usage in common Japanese words. If you want to get started reading and writing Japanese, this is THE place to start.

Go to Writing Series

 

Introduction to Japanese
 
Want to learn Japanese? Don’t know where to start? This is it. The Introduction to Japanese series is perfect for those who know zero Japanese but want to take that first step. In this series, you’ll learn all about the Japanese language, as well as grammar, writing and phrases to get you started.

Go to Introduction Series

 

Japanese Pronunciation Guide
 
Ready to sound like a native Japanese speaker? Join us in the Ultimate Japanese Pronunciation Series! You’ll learn the ins and outs of perfect Japanese pronunciation. You’ll learn the common mistakes learners make, how to avoid them, and the nuances that only native speakers are aware of.

Go to Pronunciation Guide

 

Every Day Japanese
 
Learn the basics you need to be polite while speaking Japanese. In this fast-paced and fun series you’ll learn the most popular Japanese phrases. We will take you step-by-step through must-know phrases. Plus, you’ll get some special tips on how to be extra authentic when interacting with native Japanese speakers.

Go to Every Day Series
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3993 Comments
Please to leave a comment.
😄 😞 😳 😁 😒 😎 😠 😆 😅 😜 😉 😭 😇 😴 😮 😈 ❤️️ 👍

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 19th, 2018 at 07:19 PM
Pinned Comment
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What's your name? Leave a comment. We'll write your name in Japanese katakana 😄


P.S. If your name is pronounced differently from the spelling, please let us know the pronunciation too.

Hyerin
January 21st, 2025 at 01:35 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi, I'm Hyerin, please write Hyerin in Japanese

Abiha
January 16th, 2025 at 10:43 PM
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I am Abiha plz write Abiha in Japenese

JapanesePod101.com Verified
January 15th, 2025 at 04:56 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは、Akemi-chan! 😊


Of course, I can help with that! Here is how those names might be pronounced in Japanese:


1. Akemi (アケミ)

2. Kamiko (カミコ)

3. Bitoki (ビトキ)

4. Elizaveta (エリザヴェータ) or Elizabeth (エリザベス)

5. Liza (リザ)

6. Ignatova (イグナトヴァ)


Regarding your question about Japanese names, yes, that's quite true! Japanese names often use kanji (漢字) characters, which have specific meanings. For example, the name "Akemi" (アケミ) could be written with kanji that mean "bright" (明) and "beautiful" (美). The pronunciation of the name comes from reading the kanji characters.


I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.


ありがとうございます！

Team JapanesePod101.com

Michelle
January 8th, 2025 at 01:09 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello, i am trying to write my name in Japanese, my name is Michelle

JapanesePod101.com Verified
January 7th, 2025 at 09:46 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは、Vaniaさん！


どうしましたか？ (Konnichiwa, Vania-san! Dou shimashita ka? "Hello, Vania! What's going on?") I'm here to help with your note and any questions you might have. 😊


ありがとうございます！

Team JapanesePod101.com

Akemi-chan
December 17th, 2024 at 01:39 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Konnichiwa!!1!!1

Can I make a request?


Akemi (My favorite username hehe)

Kamiko

Bitoki (like surname I guess)

andd,,,, Elizaveta (or Elizabeth in eng) and just Liza

Oh! And I wanna know how "Ignatova" sounds


Sorry for the many names\surnames--

Thanks in advance!! :3


P.S I'm also curious about how Japanese people create their names. I've heard that they usually take hieroglyphs that mean some phenomenon/object, etc., and then just call them by pronunciation. Is that true?

Vania
December 14th, 2024 at 01:11 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Vania

JapanesePod101.com Verified
December 6th, 2024 at 03:09 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは、Patriciaさん！ (Konnichiwa, Patricia-san! "Hello, Patricia!")


Sure, I can help you with that! 😊


Here is how you write "Patricia Serena" in Hiragana and Katakana:


- Hiragana: ぱとりしあ せれな

- Katakana: パトリシア セレナ


I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.


ありがとうございます！

Team JapanesePod101.com

Patricia
December 2nd, 2024 at 09:26 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Patricia Serena -----please write in Hiragana and Katakana. Thank you!

JapanesePod101.com Verified
December 2nd, 2024 at 07:52 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello Humay Mahmudova!


Your name can be written in Katakana, one of the three Japanese scripts, which is often used for foreign names. Your name would be written as フマイ・マフムドヴァ (Fumai Mafumudova).


Keep up the good work learning Japanese! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.


ありがとうございます！ (Arigatou gozaimasu! "Thank you!")


Team JapanesePod101.com