Lessons
Your Next Lesson
Say Hello in Japanese No Matter What the Time of Day
Absolute Beginner Season 1
Learn how to greet someone both formally and informally
Study now
Vocabulary
My Teacher
My Teacher Messenger Live Private Classes Live Group Classes My Assessment Test My Report
More
Start Your
Free Trial
 

Write Your Name in Japanese: Katakana & Romaji

If you want to learn Japanese, you’ll also want to learn how to write your name in Japanese.

So, if you want to know how to write your name in Japanese… you’re at the right place. We often get asked:

  • “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. This post is your one-stop guide regarding Japanese names and includes a FREE Japanese name converter!

Free Japanese Name Converter


Your name in Japanese
Enter a first name or surname to see how native speakers write and pronounce your name
Try
Your name will appear here in Katakana and Romaji.
Writing your name...

This Japanese name translator converts the pronunciation of your name into Japanese writing. It does not translate sentence meaning. Please sign up for a Free Lifetime account to reveal your name.

Table of Contents

  1. How to Write Your Name in Japanese
  2. How to Make Up Your Japanese Nickname
  3. Frequently Asked Questions About Names in Japanese
  4. 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. Frequently Asked Questions About Names in Japanese

How do I write my name in Japanese?

Please use our Japanese name converter above to get your name in Katakana and Romaji. You can copy and paste the output, or write it down in your notebook.

Is the Japanese name converter free?

Yes. The Japanese name converter is free for all JapanesePod101 members. Create a Free Lifetime Account to see your name in Katakana and Romaji.

Does the Japanese name converter translate my name’s meaning?

No. Our converter creates a pronunciation-based rendering of your name in Japanese. It will not translate the meaning of your name.

Where can I practice writing my name in Japanese?

If you want practice writing Japanese, check out our free Japanese writing worksheets.

How will my name be pronounced in Japanese?

The converter shows your name in Romaji so that you understand how to pronounce it in Japanese.

How do I say “My name is” in Japanese?

Along with your name, you’ll also get introduction phrases in the converter to practice introducing yourself in Japanese. You can practice these phrases and learn more with our free Japanese lessons.

4. 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

4152 Comments
Please to leave a comment.
😄 😞 😳 😁 😒 😎 😠 😆 😅 😜 😉 😭 😇 😴 😮 😈 ❤️️ 👍

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 19th, 2018 at 07:19 PM
Pinned Comment
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

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
October 15th, 2026 at 09:22 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは Johnny,


Johnny Carl can be written as ジョニー・カール (Jonī Kāru). If Janecka is pronounced roughly "Ja-ne-ka," your full name would be ジョニー・カール・ジャネカ (Jonī Kāru Janeka). 😊 If your surname sounds different, please share its pronunciation so we can adjust the katakana.


You can also try our "Your name in Japanese" feature! Enter your name and click "See My Name" to see the katakana, romaji, and example sentences for introducing yourself.


ありがとうございます！Thank you for commenting!

Team JapanesePod101.com

Johnny Carl Janecka
October 15th, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Johnny Carl Janecka

JapanesePod101.com Verified
October 14th, 2026 at 09:47 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello Mario Georgiou,


Thank you for your comment! It's great to see you practicing Japanese. When you say "こんにちは" (konnichiwa = hello), you’re starting a conversation perfectly. Just a small tip: In Japanese, we usually leave spaces out, so you can write your sentence as "こんにちは、私の名前はマリオです。" without spaces around "マリオ". Keep up the great work!


To help you further, I recommend checking out these lessons: How to Give Your Name in Japanese - Part 1 and Part 2. They will help you introduce yourself with confidence. You might also enjoy What's your name? in Japanese to learn common questions!


ありがとう (arigatou),

Team JapanesePod101.com

Mario Georgiou
October 14th, 2026 at 01:22 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは、私の名前は マリオ です。

JapanesePod101.com Verified
October 12th, 2026 at 09:33 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Reshma Priya,


Your name can be written in katakana as レシュマ・プリヤ (Reshuma Puriya), assuming it's pronounced "Resh-ma Pree-ya." 😊

You can also try the name-writing feature below the lesson title to see your name in Japanese!


Team JapanesePod101.com

Reshma priya
October 11th, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

My name is Reshma Priya . what's my name in Japanese

JapanesePod101.com Verified
October 9th, 2026 at 02:49 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Tim,


Your name can be written as ティム・ライ (Timu Rai)! Try entering it in the "Your name in Japanese" feature on this page and clicking "See My Name." 😊


ありがとう! (Thank you!)

Team JapanesePod101.com

JapanesePod101.com Verified
October 9th, 2026 at 02:49 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Bill,


That's right! Bill is ビル (Biru) in katakana. You can also try the "Your name in Japanese" feature by entering your name and clicking "See My Name."


ありがとう! (Thank you!)

Team JapanesePod101.com

JapanesePod101.com Verified
October 9th, 2026 at 02:49 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Abhinav,


ありがとうございます! (Thank you very much!) We're glad you enjoyed the tool and discovering your name in katakana. 😊


Team JapanesePod101.com

JapanesePod101.com Verified
October 9th, 2026 at 02:48 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Keith,


どういたしまして! (You're welcome!) Your name is キース (Kīsu) in Japanese. Try the "Your name in Japanese" feature on this page to explore it yourself!


Team JapanesePod101.com