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
Learn Japanese in the fastest, easiest and most fun way!
Create Your Free Lifetime Account
Or sign up using Facebook
Connect with Facebook
By clicking Join Now, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive our email communications, which you may opt out at any time.

 

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
×

Learn Japanese in
the fastest,
easiest and
most fun way
Create Your Free Lifetime Account
Or sign up using Facebook
Connect with Facebook
By clicking Join Now, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and to receive our email communications, which you may opt out at any time.

4131 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
May 21st, 2026 at 08:56 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi Mahadi,


Thank you for your comment! We’re happy to hear that you love Japan! ✨


Your name in Japanese katakana could be written as:

マハディ・カーン

(Mahadi Khān)


Katakana is the writing system usually used for foreign names in Japanese. 🌸


We’re here if you have any questions!


Best Regards,

Team JapanesePod101.com

JapanesePod101.com Verified
May 18th, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは。


Michael Rustiaさん, thanks for the info. Your name in katakana would commonly be written as:

マイケル・ルースティア

(“Roos-tee-uh” - Rūsutia)


If you prefer a slightly different vowel length or stress, we can adjust it.

ありがとうございます。

Team JapanesePod101.com

Mahadi Khan
May 14th, 2026 at 05:07 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

name: Mahadi Khna

im from bangladesh. I loved japan. please create my name into japanese.

Mahadi Khan
May 14th, 2026 at 05:04 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

hello

Michael Rustia
May 4th, 2026 at 01:46 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi , can you translate my name to katakana.

Michael Rustia

Pronounced , Roos tea uh , phonetically

JapanesePod101.com Verified
March 26th, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは。


Estherさん、コメントありがとうございます。

We can suggest a common katakana rendering for each name based on how they sound in English.


- Esther → エスター (Esutā) - "Esu-tah" (エス + ター).

- Hampel → ハンペル (Hanperu) - ハ (ha) + ン (m/ n sound before p) + ペ (pe) + ル (ru) for the final L sound.


If you prefer a different pronunciation (for example エステル or ハンプル), tell us how you pronounce each name and we can give alternatives.


ありがとうございます。

Team JapanesePod101.com

Esther Hampel
March 14th, 2026 at 04:21 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello, I would love to know my name in Japanese. I learn katakana at the moment but I'm still pretty unsure how to do it properly. I have a rough idea for my first name, which is Esther. Maybe something like エステ and maybe ラ? That's the part where Im unsure. My last name is Hampel. The Ha sounds like ハ. But I can't figure out the rest.


Thank you for your help.

JapanesePod101.com Verified
January 14th, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

こんにちは、Ianさん。 (Konnichiwa, Ian-san. "Hello, Mr. Ian.")


The name "Ian Hall" can be translated into Japanese katakana as イアン ホール (Ian Hooru). Katakana is often used for foreign names in Japanese.


ありがとうございます！

Team JapanesePod101.com

Ian Hall
January 10th, 2026 at 07:20 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hi, please translate Ian Hall into Japanese.


Ian is pronounced “ee-an”, Hall is pronounced like the word “tall”


Thank you 😊

JapanesePod101.com Verified
December 31st, 2025 at 06:19 AM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Hello Anand,


Thank you for sharing your name and its pronunciation. In Japanese, your name would be written in katakana as アーナンド (Ānando), reflecting the long “Aa” sound and the soft ending you described.


We’re happy to have you learning with us. If you have any questions or would like help with Japanese pronunciation or writing, feel free to let us know.


ありがとうございます！(Arigatou gozaimasu!, “Thank you very much!”)

Team JapanesePod101.com