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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

Table of Contents

 

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

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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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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3553 Comments
Please to leave a comment.
😄 😞 😳 😁 😒 😎 😠 😆 😅 😜 😉 😭 😇 😴 😮 😈 ❤️️ 👍

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 19th, 2018 at 07:19 PM
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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.

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 29th, 2024 at 02:50 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

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


I believe you're referring to "Hiragana" and "Katakana," which are two of the three writing systems in Japanese. Your name, "Nils," is written in Katakana as "ニルス" (Nirusu). Katakana is typically used for writing foreign (non-Japanese origin) names in Japanese, not Hiragana.


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


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

Yoshimi

Team JapanesePod101.com

Nils
March 27th, 2024 at 02:37 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello, I‘d like to know my name in Fuginara and/or Katana if it isn’t the same and if it’s possible? I might’ve misunderstood in that case, but thanks anyways!

The name‘s Nils with the 'i' pronounced like the ‘ea’ in ‘please’.

Thanks!

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:10 AM
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Hello Parth,


Thank you for providing the pronunciation, it's indeed very helpful!


Your last name "Sable" would be written in Katakana as "サーバレー" (Sābarē).


Here's how it breaks down:

- "Sa" is written as "サ"

- The long vowel sound "ā" is represented by the symbol "ー"

- "Ba" is written as "バ"

- "Re" is written as "レ"

- The long vowel sound "ē" is represented by the symbol "ー"


So, when you put it all together, it becomes "サーバレー".


Keep practicing your Katakana, it's a very important part of learning Japanese!


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

Yoshimi

Team JapanesePod101.com

Parth
March 20th, 2024 at 03:15 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

hello, I would like to know how to right my last name 'Sable' (Pronounced as Sābaḷē) in katakana? please

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 15th, 2024 at 12:48 AM
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Hello, Shin!


Sure! Your last name "Libbrecht" would be written as "リブレット"(Riburetto) in Katakana.😄


If you have any other questions, please let us know.


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

Yoshimi

Team JapanesePod101.com

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 15th, 2024 at 12:38 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello, Kshitij!


Thank you for posting! Your name would be written as "シティジ" (Shitiji) in Japanese Katakana.👍


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

Yoshimi

Team JapanesePod101.com

Shin
March 14th, 2024 at 03:49 AM
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hello, I would like to know how to right my last name ( Libbrecht ) in katakana? please

Kshitij Pachauri
March 14th, 2024 at 01:32 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Konnichiwa my name is Kshitij! K is silent in my name.

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 13th, 2024 at 12:40 AM
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Hello, Cherline!


Your name would be written in Katakana as Cherline=シャーリン(Shārin) or Cher=シャー(Shā).😉


Feel free to ask if you have any other questions!


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

Yoshimi

Team JapanesePod101.com

Cherline
March 10th, 2024 at 04:14 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello, my name is Cher. Short for Cherline.