Drawing up a harmonious combination of a surname and a name for the Japanese is a complex science with a long tradition. In Japan, there is a special code of names, consisting of more than two thousand hieroglyphs. Until now, parents turn to specialists - compilers of Japanese names. Usually the names of boys and girls living in the same village are never repeated.

In Japan, there is no concept of "namesake". The Japanese did not have the concept of “fashionable names”, with the exception of “ordinal” male names. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the Japanese use their surnames much more often than personal names.

Last name first, then first name

Japanese names consist of two parts: the family name, which is written and pronounced first, and the personal name, which, according to Eastern tradition, comes second. Modern Japanese often write their names in "European order" (personal name followed by family name) when written in romaji (Latin) or kiriji (Cyrillic). For convenience, the Japanese sometimes write their surname in capital letters so that it is not confused with the given name.

Europeans, who rarely attach importance to the etymology of their own names, constantly face difficulties in reading, translating and transcribing Japanese given names and surnames. Modern Japanese can suggest how their names should be read, but they do not always dare to translate nominal hieroglyphs into foreign languages. The Japanese are creative with the names of foreigners: Svetlana may not recognize herself in "Suetorana" or Carmen will not immediately respond to the Japanese "Karumen".

How did the surnames appear?

Until the second half of XIX centuries in Japan, only aristocrats (kuge) and samurai (bushi) had surnames. The rest of the population of Japan managed with personal names and nicknames. The number of aristocratic families in Japan is limited and unchanged from antiquity. The most noble clans of Japanese aristocrats are the Fujiwara clan, the common name is "Gosetsuke": Konoe, Takashi, Kujo, Ichijo and Gojo. IN modern Japan there are about one hundred thousand surnames, of which more than seventy thousand appeared only 130 years ago.

In the Meiji era ("Enlightened rule") in 1868-1911. Emperor Mutsuhito ordered all Japanese peasants, artisans and merchants to choose any surname. Some Japanese instead of a surname wrote down the name of the city or village in which they lived, others “for the surname” took the name of the store or workshop in which they served. Creative people themselves came up with sonorous surnames.

Most of the surnames of modern Japanese are associated with peasant life, the cultivation of rice and its processing. For example, the surname Khakamada consists of two hieroglyphs: "hakama" ( Bottom part traditional Japanese costume, men's pants or women's skirt) and "yes" ("rice field"). Judging by the "peasant" meaning of the hieroglyphs, it can be assumed that the ancestors of Irina Khakamada were field workers.

In Japan, you can meet people with the common surname Ito and exactly the same name Ito (translated as "dandy, dandy, Italy"). But such coincidences are very rare.
The only exception is Emperor Akihito (Show Mercy) and members of his family. The "symbol of the nation" of Japan never had a surname.

Samurai names

In the 12th century, the first military usurper in the history of Japan was the samurai shogun Minamoto-no-Yoritomo, or Yoritomo from the Minamoto clan (translated as “source”), who laid the foundation for the formation of a privileged class-estate of the samurai.

Samurai chose their personal names depending on life circumstances: promotion, relocation due to service, etc. The fall of the last Tokugawa shogunate (“River of Virtue”) and the transfer of power to Emperor Mutsuhito secured the exclusive privileges of the military for many years.

Until the 19th century, besides complete impunity and opportunities for easy money, the samurai had the right to give names to their vassals. The names of samurai servants and peasants were often given "in order": Ichiro - the first son, Jiro - the second, Saburo - the third, Shiro - the fourth, Goro - the fifth, etc. In addition to "-ro", the suffixes "-emon", "-ji", "-zo", "-suke", "-be" were used.

Modern Japanese male names also carry information about the "serial number" of the son in the family. Until now, the suffixes “-ichi” and “-kazu” (“first son”), “-ji” (“second son”) and “-zo” (“third son”) are often used in Japanese personal male names.

The emperors of Japan are not usually called the same and distinguished by serial number, like commoners. By old tradition, the names of Japanese emperors are composed with the second hieroglyph "compassion, mercy, sympathy." Emperor Mutsuhito's name is a combination of two characters for "friendly, warm" and "compassion". Emperor Hirohito, who ruled Japan from 1926-1989, was raised by samurai veterans of the Russo-Japanese War.

After the collapse of the empire, the nuclear bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the complete and unconditional surrender of Hirohito (approximately - “Abundant Mercy”), in a state of “deep shock”, he showed compassion for his own people, appealed to the mercy of the winners and renounced his divine origin.

Since the 19th-20th centuries, wealthy and influential samurai have retained their highest positions in civil and military government. Others became the founders of Japanese entrepreneurship. From the samurai environment a part was formed creative intelligentsia. All personal names of aristocrats and high-ranking samurai consisted of two hieroglyphs with a "noble" meaning.

For example, the name of the son of a military instructor Kurosawa (“Black Swamp”) Akira (“bright”, “clear”) can be roughly translated into Russian as “light in the dark” or “enlightenment”. Perhaps only thanks to good luck given name, an artist by education, Akira Kurosawa became a director, a classic of Japanese and world cinema, changing our understanding of the world ("swamp").

Most Japanese female names end in "-ko" ("child") or "-mi" ("beauty"). Japanese women are often given names associated with everything beautiful, pleasant and feminine, graceful.
Unlike men's female names are usually written not in "solemn" characters, but simply in hiragana (the Japanese alphabet used to write Chinese and Japanese words).

So, new list names

New generations of educated Japanese parents have long sought to expand the old list of nominal characters in order to compose completely new, interesting and original names to my children. In September 2004, the Japanese received an additional list of more than 500 characters to compile the official name of the little Japanese.

Very extravagant signs were included in the new list of nominal hieroglyphs, worked out in the offices of the Ministry of Justice of Japan. Among the "new products" appeared hieroglyphs with strange meanings for names: "beetle", "frog", "spider", "turnip".

The child-loving Japanese were seriously indignant. Then the Ministry of Justice of Japan urgently announced that several strange characters were excluded from the new name list: “cancer tumor”, “prostitute”, “buttock”, “hemorrhoids”, “curse”, “debauchery”, “malice”, etc. Some citizens The countries of the rising sun reacted with complete indifference to the "nominal scandal".

In modern Japan, every adult Japanese can take a pseudonym for himself, and after death, almost all Japanese receive new, posthumous names (kaimyo), which are written on a special wooden tablet (ihai) - the embodiment of the spirit of the deceased. Most Japanese believe in reincarnation and try not to worry about fleeting little things in life, even as important as a personal name. Perhaps that is why the Japanese rarely give children the names of their venerable ancestors.

Common Japanese Surnames and Their Meanings

The following table provides a list of the most common Japanese surnames along with the characters, readings, and their meaning in Russian as of April 2010.

As already mentioned in the article about Japanese names, you can see that most Japanese surnames mean various rural landscapes.

Last name position	Japanese surnames in Russian	Japanese last names in hieroglyphs	The meanings of the hieroglyphs of Japanese surnames
１	Sato:	佐藤	assistant + wisteria
２	Suzuki	鈴木	bell (bell) + tree
３	Takahashi	高橋	high+bridge
４	Tanaka	田中	rice field + middle
５	Watanabe	渡辺／渡邊	to cross+neighborhood
６	Ito:	伊藤	I + wisteria
７	Yamamoto	山本	mountain + base
８	Nakamura	中村	middle + village
9	Kobayashi	小林	small forest
10	Kato:	加藤	add + wisteria
11	Yoshida	吉田	happiness + rice field
12	Yamada	山田	mountain + rice field
13	Sasaki	佐々木	helpers + tree
14	Yamaguchi	山口	mountain + mouth, entrance
15	Saito:	斎藤／齋藤	cleansing (religious) + wisteria
16	Matsumoto	松本	pine + base
17	inoe	井上	well + top
18	Kimura	木村	tree + village
19	Hayashi	林	forest
20	Shimizu	清水	pure water
21	Yamazaki／ Yamasaki	山崎	mountain + cape
22	Maury	森	forest
23	Abe	阿部	corner, shadow; sector;
24	Ikeda	池田	pond + rice field
25	Hashimoto	橋本	bridge + base
26	Yamashita	山下	mountain + under, bottom
27	Ishikawa	石川	stone + river
28	Nakajima／Nakashima	中島	middle + island
29	Maeda	前田	behind + rice field
30	Fujita	藤田	wisteria + rice field
31	Ogawa	小川	small river
32	Goto:	後藤	behind, future + wisteria
33	Okada	岡田	hill + rice field
34	Hasegawa	長谷川	long+valley+river
35	Murakami	村上	village + top
36	Condo	近藤	close + wisteria
37	Isius	石井	stone + well
38	Saito:	斉藤／齊藤	equal+wisteria
39	Sakamoto	坂本	slope + base
40	Iendo:	遠藤	distant + wisteria
41	Aoki	青木	green, young + tree
42	Fujii	藤井	wisteria + well
43	Nishimura	西村	west+village
44	Fukuda	福田	happiness, prosperity + rice field
45	Oota	太田	large + rice field
46	Miura	三浦	three bays
47	Okamoto	岡本	hill + base
48	Matsuda	松田	pine + rice field
49	Nakagawa	中川	middle + river
50	Nakano	中野	middle + [uncultivated] field; plain
51	Harada	原田	plain, field; steppe + rice field
52	Fujiwara	藤原	wisteria + plain, field; steppe
53	It	小野	small + [uncultivated] field; plain
54	Tamura	田村	rice field + village
55	Takeuchi	竹内	bamboo+inside
56	Kaneko	金子	gold + child
57	Wada	和田	harmony + rice field
58	Nakayama	中山	middle + mountain
59	Isis	石田	stone + rice field
60	Ueda/Ueta	上田	top+rice field
61	Morita	森田	forest + rice field
62	Hara	原	plain, field; steppe
63	Sibata	柴田	brushwood + rice field
64	Sakai	酒井	alcohol + well
65	Kudo:	工藤	working + wisteria
66	Yokoyama	横山	side of the mountain
67	Miyazaki	宮崎	temple, palace + cape
68	Miyamoto	宮本	temple, palace + base
69	Uchida	内田	inside+rice field
70	Takagi	高木	tall tree
71	Ando:	安藤	calm + wisteria
72	Taniguchi	谷口	valley + mouth, entrance
73	Uno	大野	large + [uncultivated] field; plain
74	Maruyama	丸山	round+mountain
75	Imai	今井	now+well
76	Takada／ Takata	高田	high + rice field
77	Fujimoto	藤本	wisteria + base
78	Takeda	武田	military + rice field
79	Murata	村田	village + rice field
80	Ueno	上野	top + [uncultivated] field; plain
81	sugiyama	杉山	Japanese cedar + mountain
82	Masuda	増田	enlarge+rice field
83	sugawara	菅原	sedge + plain, field; steppe
84	Hirano	平野	level + [uncultivated] field; plain
85	Ootsuka	大塚	big+hill
86	Kojima	小島	small+island
87	Chiba	千葉	a thousand sheets
88	Kubo	久保	long+support
89	Matsui	松井	pine + well
90	Iwasaki	岩崎	rock + cape
91	sakurai	桜井／櫻井	sakura + well
92	Kinoshita	木下	tree + under, bottom
93	Noguchi	野口	[uncultivated] field; plain + mouth, entrance
94	Matsuo	松尾	pine + tail
95	Nomura	野村	[uncultivated] field; plain + village
96	Kikuchi	菊地	chrysanthemum + earth
97	Sano	佐野	assistant + [uncultivated] field; plain
98	Oonisi	大西	big west
99	Sugimoto	杉本	Japanese cedar + roots
100	Arai	新井	new well
101	Hamada	浜田／濱田	shore + rice field
102	Ichikawa	市川	city ​​+ river
103	Furukawa	古川	old river
104	Mizuno	水野	water + [uncultivated] field; plain
105	Komatsu	小松	little pine
106	Shimada	島田	island + rice field
107	Koyama	小山	small mountain
108	Takano	高野	high + [uncultivated] field; plain
109	Yamauchi	山内	mountain+inside
110	Nishida	西田	west + rice field
111	Kikuchi	菊池	chrysanthemum + pond
112	Nishikawa	西川	west + river
113	Igarashi	五十嵐	50 storms
114	Kitamura	北村	north+village
115	Yasuda	安田	calm + rice field
116	Nakata／ Nakada	中田	middle + rice field
117	Kawaguchi	川口	river + mouth, entrance
118	Hirata	平田	flat + rice field
119	kawasaki	川崎	river + cape
120	Iida	飯田	boiled rice, food + rice field
121	Yoshikawa	吉川	happiness + river
122	Honda	本田	base + rice field
123	Kubota	久保田	long+maintain+rice field
124	Sawada	沢田／澤田	swamp + rice field
125	Tsuji	辻	Street
126	seki	関／關	Outpost; barrier
127	Yoshimura	吉村	happiness + village
128	Watanabe	渡部	to cross + part; sector;
129	Iwata	岩田	rock + rice field
130	Nakanishi	中西	west+middle
131	Hattori	服部	clothes, subordinate + part; sector;
132	Higuchi	樋口	gutter; drain + mouth, input
133	Fukushima	福島	happiness, prosperity + island
134	Kawakami	川上	river + top
135	Nagai	永井	eternal well
136	Matsuoka	松岡	pine + hill
137	Taguchi	田口	rice floor+mouth
138	Yamanaka	山中	mountain + middle
139	Morimoto	森本	forest + base
140	Tsuchiya	土屋	land + house
141	I but	矢野	arrow + [uncultivated] field; plain
142	Hirose	広瀬／廣瀬	wide rapid current
143	Ozawa	小沢／小澤	small swamp
144	Akiyama	秋山	autumn + mountain
145	Ishihara	石原	stone + plain, field; steppe
146	Matsushita	松下	pine+under, bottom
147	Woman	馬場	horse + seat
148	Oohashi	大橋	big bridge
149	Matsuura	松浦	pine + bay
150	Yoshioka	吉岡	happiness + hill
151	Koike	小池	small + pond
152	Asano	浅野／淺野	small + [uncultivated] field; plain
153	Araki	荒木	wild+tree
154	Ookubo	大久保	big+long+support
155	Kumagai	熊谷	bear + valley
156	But yes	野田	[uncultivated] field; plain+rice field
157	Tanabe	田辺／田邊	rice field + surroundings
158	Kawamura	川村	river + village
159	Hoshino	星野	star + [uncultivated] field; plain
160	Ootani	大谷	big valley
161	Kuroda	黒田	black rice field
162	hori	堀	channel
163	Ozaki	尾崎	tail + cape
164	Mochizuki	望月	full moon
165	Nagata	永田	eternal rice field
166	Naito	内藤	inside + wisteria
167	Matsumura	松村	pine + village
168	Nishiyama	西山	west + mountain
169	Hirai	平井	level well
170	Ooshima	大島	big Island
171	Iwamoto	岩本	rock + base
172	Katayama	片山	piece + mountain
173	Homma	本間	base + gap, room, luck
174	Hayakawa	早川	early + river
175	Yokota	横田	side+rice field
176	Okazaki	岡崎	hill+cape
177	Arai	荒井	wild well
178	Ooisi	大石	big Stone
179	Kamata	鎌田	sickle, scythe + rice field
180	Narita	成田	form + rice field
181	Miyata	宮田	temple, palace + rice field
182	Oh yeah	小田	small rice field
183	Ishibashi	石橋	stone + bridge
184	Ko:but	河野	river + [uncultivated] field; plain
185	Shinohara	篠原	undersized bamboo + plain, field; steppe
186	Suto/Sudo	須藤	certainly + wisteria
187	Hagiwara	萩原	bicolor lespedeza + plain, field; steppe
188	Takayama	高山	high mountain
189	Oosawa	大沢／大澤	big swamp
190	Konishi	小西	small+west
191	Minami	南	south
192	Kurihara	栗原	chestnut + plain, field; steppe
193	Ito	伊東	that, he + east
194	Matsubara	松原	pine + plain, field; steppe
195	Miyake	三宅	three houses
196	Fukui	福井	happiness, well-being + well
197	Oomori	大森	big forest
198	Okumura	奥村	deep (hidden) + village
199	Oka	岡	Hill
200	Uchiyama	内山	inside+mountain

Japanese names and their meanings...

A Japanese given name (人名 jinmei?) these days usually consists of a family name (surname) followed by a personal name. This is a very common practice in East and Southeast Asia, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and some other cultures.

Names are usually written in kanji, which are different occasions can have many different pronunciations.

Modern Japanese names can be compared to names in many other cultures. All Japanese people have a single surname and a single given name without a middle name, with the exception of Japanese imperial family whose members do not have last names.

In Japan, the surname comes first, and then the given name. At the same time, in Western languages ​​(often in Russian), Japanese names are written in the reverse order of first name - last name - according to European tradition.

Names in Japan are often created independently from existing characters, so the country has great amount unique names. Surnames are more traditional and most often go back to toponyms. Names in Japanese much more than family names. Male and female names differ due to their characteristic components and structure. Reading Japanese proper names is one of the most complex elements Japanese.

From the tables below, you can see how preferences have changed when choosing names over the past almost 100 years:

Popular boy names

Year/Place 1 2 3 4 5

1915 Kiyoshi Saburou Shigeru Masao Tadashi

1925 Kiyoshi Shigeru Isamu Saburou Hiroshi

1935 Hiroshi Kiyoshi Isamu Minoru Susumu

1945 Masaru Isamu Susumu Kiyoshi Katsutoshi

1955 Takashi Makoto Shigeru Osamu Yutaka

1965 Makoto Hiroshi Osamu Naoki Tetsuya

1975 Makoto Daisuke Manabu Tsuyoshi Naoki

1985 Daisuke Takuya Naoki Kenta Kazuya

1995 Takuya Kenta Shouta Tsubasa Daiki

2000 Shou Shouta Daiki Yuuto Takumi

Popular names for girls

Year/Place 1 2 3 4 5

1915 Chiyo Chiyoko Fumiko Shizuko Kiyo

1925 Sachiko Fumiko Miyoko Hirsako Yoshiko

1935 Kazuko Sachiko Setsuko Hiroko Hisako

1945 Kazuko Sachiko Youko Setsuko Hiroko

1955 Youko Keiko Kyouko Sachiko Kazuko

1965 Akemi Mayumi Yumiko Keiko Kumiko

1975 Kumiko Yuuko Mayumi Tomoko Youko

1985 Ai Mai Mami Megumi Kaori

1995 Misaki Ai Haruka Kana Mai

2000 Sakura Yuuka Misaki Natsuki Nanami

Ai - F - Love

Aiko - F - Beloved child

Akako - F - Red

Akane - F - Sparkling red

Akemi - F - Dazzlingly beautiful

Akeno - M - Clear morning

Aki - F - Born in autumn

Akiko - F - Autumn child

Akina - F - Spring flower

Akio - M - Handsome

Akira - M - Smart, quick-witted

Akiyama - M - Autumn, mountain

Amaya - F - Night rain

Ami - F - Friend

Amida - M - Name of the Buddha

Anda - F - Met in the field

Aneko - F - Big sister

Anzu - F - Apricot

Arata - M - Inexperienced

Arisu - F - Yap. form of the name Alice

Asuka - F - Aroma of Tomorrow

Ayame - F - Iris

Azarni - F - Thistle flower

Benjiro - M - Enjoying the world

Botan - M - Peony

Chika - F - Wisdom

Chikako - F - Child of Wisdom

Chinatsu - F - A thousand years

Chiyo - F - Eternity

Chizu - F - A thousand storks (longevity is implied)

Cho - F - Butterfly

Dai - M / F - Great / th

Daichi - M - Great First Son

Daiki - M - Great Tree

Daisuke - M - Great Help

Etsu - F - Delightful, charming

Etsuko - F - A delightful child

Fudo - M - God of fire and wisdom

Fujita - M/F - Field, meadow

Gin - F - Silver

Goro - M - Fifth son

Hana - F - Flower

Hanako - F - Flower child

Haru - M - Born in the spring

Haruka - F - Far

Haruko - F - Spring

Hachiro - M - Eighth son

Hideaki - M - Brilliant, excellent

Hikaru - M / F - Light, shining

Hide - F - Prolific

Hiroko - F - Generous

Hiroshi - M - Generous

Hitomi - F - Doubly beautiful

Hoshi - F - Star

Hotaka - M - The name of a mountain in Japan

Hotaru - F - Firefly

Ichiro - M - First son

Ima - F - Gift

Isami - M - Courage

Ishi - F - Stone

Izanami - F - Attractive

Izumi - F - Fountain

Jiro - M - Second son

Joben - M - Loving purity

Jomei - M - Carrier of light

Junko - F - Pure child

Juro - M - Tenth son

Kado - M - Gate

Kaede - F - Maple Leaf

Kagami - F - Mirror

Kameko - F - Child of the turtle (symbol of longevity)

Kanaya - M - Zealous

Kano - M - God of water

Kasumi - F - Fog

Katashi - M - Hardness

Katsu - M - Victory

Katsuo - M - Victorious child

Katsuro - M - Victorious son

Kazuki - M - Joyful World

Kazuko - F - Cheerful child

Kazuo - M - Sweet son

Kei - F - Respectful

Keiko - F - Adored

Keitaro - M - Blessed

Ken - M - Zdorovyak

Ken`ichi - M - Strong first son

Kenji - M - Strong second son

Kenshin - M - Heart of the sword

Kenta - M - Healthy and bold

Kichi - F - Lucky

Kichiro - M - Lucky son

Kiku - F - Chrysanthemum

Kimiko - F - Child of noble blood

Kin - M - Golden

Kioko - F - Happy child

Kisho - M - Having a head on his shoulders

Kita - F - North

Kiyoko - F - Purity

Kiyoshi - M - Quiet

Kohaku - M/F - Amber

Kohana - F - Small flower

Koko - F - Stork

Koto - F - Jap. musical instrument"koto"

Kotone - F - Sound of a koto

Kumiko - F - Forever beautiful

Kuri - F - Chestnut

Kuro - M - Ninth son

Kyo - M - Consent (or red)

Kyoko - F - Mirror

Leiko - F - Arrogant

Machi - F - Ten thousand years

Machiko - F - Lucky child

Maeko - F - Honest child

Maemi - F - Sincere smile

Mai - F - Bright

Makoto - M - Sincere

Mamiko - F - Baby Mami

Mamoru - M - Earth

Manami - F - The beauty of love

Mariko - F - Child of Truth

Marise - M/F - Infinite

Masa - M/F - Straight (human)

Masakazu - M - First son of Masa

Mashiro - M - Wide

Matsu - F - Pine

Mayako - F - Maya Child

Mayoko - F - Child Mayo

Mayuko - F - Child of Mayu

Michi - F - Fair

Michie - F - Gracefully hanging flower

Michiko - F - Beautiful and wise

Michio - M - Man with the strength of three thousand

Midori - F - Green

Mihoko - F - Baby Miho

Mika - F - New moon

Miki - M/F - Stalk

Mikio - M - Three woven trees

Mina - F - South

Minako - F - Beautiful child

Mine - F - Brave Protector

Minoru - M - Seed

Misaki - F - The flowering of beauty

Mitsuko - F - Child of Light

Miya - F - Three arrows

Miyako - F - Beautiful baby March

Mizuki - F - Beautiful moon

Momoko - F - Peach Child

Montaro - M - Big guy

Moriko - F - Child of the forest

Morio - M - Forest boy

Mura - F - Rustic

Mutsuko - F - Child of Mutsu

Nahoko - F - Baby Naho

Nami - F - Wave

Namiko - F - Child of the waves

Nana - F - Apple

Naoko - F - Obedient child

Naomi - F - "Beauty First"

Nara - F - Oak

Nariko - F - Sissy

Natsuko - F - Summer child

Natsumi - F - Beautiful summer

Nayoko - F - Baby Nayo

Nibori - M - Famous

Nikki - M/F - Two trees

Nikko - M - Daylight

Nori - F - Law

Noriko - F - Child of the Law

Nozomi - F - Hope

Nyoko - F - Gemstone

Oki - F - Mid-Ocean

Orino - F - Peasant meadow

Osamu - M - Firmness of the law

Rafu - M - Network

Rai - F - Truth

Raidon - M - God of Thunder

Ran - F - Water lily

Rei - F - Gratitude

Reiko - F - Gratitude

Ren - F - Water lily

Renjiro - M - Honest

Renzo - M - Third son

Riko - F - Child of Jasmine

Rin - F - Unfriendly

Rinji - M - Peaceful forest

Rini - F - Little Bunny

Risako - F - Child of Risa

Ritsuko - F - Child of Ritsu

Roka - M - White crest of the wave

Rokuro - M - Sixth son

Ronin - M - Samurai without a master

Rumiko - F - Baby Rumi

Ruri - F - Emerald

Ryo - M - Excellent

Ryoichi - M - First son of Ryo

Ryoko - F - Child Ryo

Ryota - M - Strong (obese)

Ryozo - M - Third son of Ryo

Ryuichi - M - First son of Ryu

Ryuu - M - Dragon

Saburo - M - Third son

Sachi - F - Happiness

Sachiko - F - Child of happiness

Sachio - M - Fortunately born

Saeko - F - Child of Sae

Saki - F - Cape (geographic)

Sakiko - F - Baby Saki

Sakuko - F - Baby Saku

Sakura - F - Cherry flowers

Sanako - F - Child Sana

Sango - F - Coral

Saniiro - M - Wonderful

Satu - F - Sugar

Sayuri - F - Little lily

Seiichi - M - First son of Sei

Sen - M - Spirit of the tree

Shichiro - M - Seventh son

Shika - F - Deer

Shima - M - Islander

Shina - F - Worthy

Shinichi - M - First son of Shin

Shiro - M - Fourth son

Shizuka - F - Quiet

Sho - M - Prosperity

Sora - F - Sky

Sorano - F - Heavenly

Suki - F - Favorite

Suma - F - Asking

Sumi - F - Purified (religious)

Susumi - M - Moving forward (successful)

Suzu - F - Bell (bell)

Suzume - F - Sparrow

Tadao - M - Helpful

Taka - F - Noble

Takako - F - Tall child

Takara - F - Treasure

Takashi - M - Famous

Takehiko - M - Bamboo Prince

Takeo - M - Similar to bamboo

Takeshi - M - Bamboo tree or brave

Takumi - M - Craftsman

Tama - M/F - Jewel

Tamiko - F - Child of abundance

Tani - F - From the valley (child)

Taro - M - Firstborn

Taura - F - Many lakes; many rivers

Teijo - M - Fair

Tomeo - M - Cautious person

Tomiko - F - Child of wealth

Tora - F - Tigress

Torio - M - Bird's tail

Toru - M - Sea

Toshi - F - Mirror Reflection

Toshiro - M - Talented

Toya - M/F - Door of the house

Tsukiko - F - Child of the Moon

Tsuyu - F - Morning dew

Udo - M - Ginseng

Ume - F - Plum Blossom

Umeko - F - Child of plum blossoms

Usagi - F - Rabbit

Uyeda - M - From the rice field (child)

Yachi - F - Eight thousand

Yasu - F - Calm

Yasuo - M - Mirny

Yayoi - F - March

Yogi - M - Practicing yoga

Yoko - F - Child of the Sun

Yori - F - Trustworthy

Yoshi - F - Perfection

Yoshiko - F - Perfect child

Yoshiro - M - Perfect Son

Yuki - M - Snow

Yukiko - F - Snow Child

Yukio - M - Cherished by God

Yuko - F - Kind child

Yumako - F - Child Yuma

Yumi - F - Like a bow (weapon)

Yumiko - F - Arrow Child

Yuri - F - Lilia

Yuriko - F - Child of a lily

Yuu - M - Noble blood

Yuudai - M - Great Hero

Nagisa - "coast"

Kaworu - "to smell sweet"

Ritsuko - "science", "attitude"

Akagi - "mahogany"

shinji - "death"

Misato - "beautiful city"

Katsuragi - "fortress with walls entwined with grass"

Asuka - lit. "love-love"

Soryu - "central current"

Ayanami - "strip of fabric", "wave pattern"

Rei - "zero", "example", "soul"

KENSHIN name means "Heart of the sword".

Akito - Glittering Man

Kuramori Reika - Protector of Treasure and Cold Summer Rurouni - The Wandering Wanderer

Himura - Burning Village

Shishio Makoto - True Hero

Takani Megumi - Sublime Love

Shinomori Aoshi - "Green Bamboo Forest"

Makimachi Misao - "Ruling the City"

Saito Hajime - "The Beginning of Human Life"

Hiko Seijuro - "Justice Done"

Seta Sojiro - "Comprehensive Forgiveness"

Mirai is the future

Hajime - boss

Mamoru - protector

Jibo - earth

hikari - light

Atarashiki - transformations

Namida - tears

Sora - sky

Ginga - the universe

Eve is alive

Izzy - doctor

Usagi the rabbit

Tsukino - Lunar

Ray - soul

Hino - fire

Ami - rain

Mitsuno - water

Corey - ice, icy

makoto is true

Cinema - air, forest

Minako - Venus

Aino - loving

Setsuna - Guard

Mayo - castle, palace

Haruka - 1) distance, 2) heavenly

Teno - heavenly

Michiru - way

Cayo - sea

Hotaru - light

Tomo is a friend.

Kaori - soft, affectionate

Yumi - Fragrant Beauty

Hakufu - Noble Sign

How to name a child?

For future parents in Japan, they release special collections of names - like ours in general - so that they can choose the most suitable for their child. In general, the process of choosing (or inventing) a name comes down to one of the following ways:

1. A keyword can be used in the name - a seasonal phenomenon, a shade of color, a precious stone, etc.

2. The name may contain the wish of the parents to become strong, wise or courageous, for which the hieroglyphs of strength, wisdom and courage are used, respectively.

3. you can also go from choosing the hieroglyphs you like the most (in various spellings) and combining them with each other.

4. Recently, it has become popular to name a child, focusing on hearing, i.e. depending on how pleasant the desired name is to the ear. Having chosen the desired pronunciation, they determine the hieroglyphs with which this name will be written.

5. It has always been popular to name a child after celebrities - heroes of historical chronicles, politicians, pop stars, TV series heroes, etc.

6. Some parents rely on various fortune-telling, they believe that the number of features in the hieroglyphs of the first and last name should be combined with each other.

The most common endings for Japanese names are:

Male names: ~aki, ~fumi, ~go, ~haru, ~hei, ~hiko, ~hisa, ~hide, ~hiro, ~ji, ~kazu, ~ki, ~ma, ~masa, ~michi, ~mitsu , ~nari, ~nobu, ~nori, ~o, ~rou, ~shi, ~shige, ~suke, ~ta, ~taka, ~to, ~toshi, ~tomo, ~ya, ~zou

Female names: ~a, ~chi, ~e, ~ho, ~i, ~ka, ~ki, ~ko, ~mi, ~na, ~no, ~o, ~ri, ~sa, ~ya, ~yo

Nominal suffixes

Personal pronouns

Japanese nominal suffixes and personal pronouns

Nominal suffixes

In Japanese, there is a whole set of so-called nominal suffixes, that is, suffixes added to colloquial speech to names, surnames, nicknames and other words denoting an interlocutor or a third person. They are used to indicate the social relationship between the speaker and the one being spoken about. The choice of a suffix is ​​determined by the character of the speaker (normal, rude, very polite), his attitude towards the listener (usual politeness, respect, fawning, rudeness, arrogance), their position in society and the situation in which the conversation takes place (one on one, in the circle of loved ones friends, between colleagues, between strangers, on people). What follows is a list of some of these suffixes (in ascending order of "respect" and their usual meanings.

Tyan (chan) - A close analogue of the "diminutive" suffixes of the Russian language. Usually used in relation to the younger or lower in the social sense, with whom one develops a close relationship. In the use of this suffix, the element of "lisping" is felt. Usually used when referring to adults to children, boys to their beloved girls, girlfriends to each other, small children to each other. The use of this suffix in relation to people who are not very close, equal in position to the speaker, is impolite. For example, if a guy refers to a peer of the same age with whom he does not “twist an affair”, then he shows incorrectness. A girl who addresses a fellow peer with whom she doesn’t “twist an affair” is, in fact, rude.

Kun (kun) - An analogue of the appeal "comrade". Most often used between men or in relation to guys. Indicates, rather, some "official", however, close relations. Say, between classmates, partners or friends. It can also be used in relation to the younger or lower in the social sense, when this circumstance does not need to be emphasized.

Yang (yan) - Kansai equivalent of "-chan" and "-kun".

Pyon (pyon) - Children's version of "-kun".

Tti (cchi) - Children's version of "-chan" (cf. "Tamagotti".

Without suffix - Close relationship, but without "lisping". The usual address of adults to teenage children, friends to each other, etc. If a person does not use suffixes at all, then this is a clear indicator of rudeness. Addressing by surname without a suffix is ​​a sign of familiar, but "detached" relationships (a typical example is the relationship of schoolchildren or students).

San (san) - An analogue of the Russian "mister / madam". A general indication of respect. Often used to communicate with strangers, or when all other suffixes do not fit. Used in relation to elders, including older relatives (brothers, sisters, parents).

Han (han) - Kansai equivalent of "-san".

Si (shi) - "Sir", is used exclusively in official documents after the surname.

Fujin (fujin) - "Lady", is used exclusively in official documents after the surname.

Kohai (kouhai) - Appeal to the younger. Especially often - at school in relation to those who are younger than the speaker.

Senpai (senpai) - Appeal to the elder. Especially often - at school in relation to those who are older than the speaker.

Dono (dono) - Rare suffix. Respectful address to an equal or superior, but slightly different in position. It is now considered obsolete and almost never occurs in communication. In ancient times, it was actively used when samurai addressed each other.

Sensei (sensei) - "Teacher". Used in relation to the actual teachers and professors, as well as to doctors and politicians.

Senshu (senshu) - "Athlete". Used in relation to famous athletes.

Zeki (zeki) - "Sumo wrestler". Used in relation to famous sumo wrestlers.

Ue (ue) - "Senior". A rare and obsolete respectful suffix used for older family members. It is not used with names - only with designations of the position in the family ("father", "mother", "brother".

Sama (sama) - The highest degree of respect. Appeal to gods and spirits, to spiritual authorities, a girl to her lover, servants to noble masters, etc. It roughly translates into Russian as "respected, dear, venerable."

Jin (jin) - "One of". "Saya-jin" means "one of the Sai".

Tachi (tachi) - "And friends." Goku-tachi - Goku and his friends.

Gumi (gumi) - "Team, group, party." "Kenshin-gumi" - "Team Kenshin".

Japanese names and their meanings

Personal pronouns

In addition to nominal suffixes, Japan also uses many different ways to address each other and refer to oneself using personal pronouns. The choice of a pronoun is determined by the social laws already mentioned above. The following is a list of some of these pronouns.

Group with the meaning "I"

Watakushi - A very polite female version.

Washi - Obsolete polite variant. Does not depend on gender.

Wai is the Kansai equivalent of "washi".

Boku (Boku) - Familiar youth male version. It is rarely used by women; in this case, “non-femininity” is emphasized. Used in poetry.

Ore - Not a very polite option. Purely masculine. Kind of cool. ^_^

Ore-sama (Ore-sama) - "Great I". A rare form, an extreme degree of boasting.

Daiko or naiko (Daikou/Naikou) - An analogue of "ore-sama", but somewhat less boastful.

Sessha - A very polite form. Usually used by samurai when addressing their masters.

Hisyo (Hishou) - "Insignificant." A very polite form, now practically not used.

Gusei - An analogue of "hisyo", but somewhat less pejorative.

Oira (Oira) - Polite form. Commonly used by monks.

Chin - A special form that only the emperor can use.

Ware (Ware) - Polite (formal) form, translated as [I / you / he] "himself". It is used when it is necessary to especially express the importance of "I". For example, in spells (“I conjure.” In modern Japanese, it is rarely used in the meaning of “I”. It is more often used to form a reflexive form, for example, “forgetting about yourself” - “ware in vasurete”.

[Speaker's name or position] - Used by or with children, usually within a family. Let's say a girl named Atsuko can say "Atsuko is thirsty". Or her older brother, referring to her, can say "Brother will bring you juice." There is an element of "lisping" in this, but such an appeal is quite acceptable.

Group with the meaning "We"

Watashi-tachi - A polite option.

Ware-ware - A very polite, formal variant.

Bokura - An impolite variant.

Touhou - The usual variant.

Group with the meaning "You / You":

Anata - General polite variant. Also, the usual address of a wife to her husband ("dear".

Anta (Anta) - A less polite option. Usually used by young people. A slight hint of disrespect.

Otaku (Otaku) - Literally translated as "your home." Very polite and rare form. Due to the arrogant use of Japanese informals in relation to each other, the second meaning was fixed - “fan, crazy”.

Kimi - A polite variant, often between friends. Used in poetry.

Kijo (Kijou) - "Lady". A very polite way of addressing a lady.

Onushi (Onushi) - "Insignificant." An obsolete form of polite speech.

Omae (Omae) - Familiar (when referring to an enemy - insulting) option. Usually used by men in relation to the socially younger (father to daughter, say).

Temae / Temee (Temae / Temee) - Offensive male version. Usually towards the enemy. Something like "bastard" or "bastard".

Onore - An offensive variant.

Kisama - Very offensive. Translated with dots. ^_^ Oddly enough, it literally translates as "noble lord."

Japanese names

Modern Japanese names consist of two parts - the family name, which comes first, and the given name, which comes second. True, the Japanese often write their names in "European order" (first name - last name) if they write them in romaji. For convenience, the Japanese sometimes write their last name in CAPITAL letters so that it is not confused with the name (due to the above-described inconsistency).

The exception is the emperor and members of his family. They don't have a last name. Girls who marry princes also lose their last names.

Ancient names and surnames

Before the Meiji Restoration, only aristocrats (kuge) and samurai (bushi) had surnames. The rest of the population of Japan was content with personal names and nicknames.

Women of aristocratic and samurai families also usually did not have surnames, since they did not have the right to inherit. In cases where women did have surnames, they did not change them upon marriage.

Surnames were divided into two groups - the surnames of aristocrats and the surnames of samurai.

Unlike the number of samurai surnames, the number of surnames of aristocrats has practically not increased since ancient times. Many of them date back to the priestly past of the Japanese aristocracy.

The most revered and respected clans of aristocrats were: Konoe, Takashi, Kujo, Ichijo and Gojo. All of them belonged to the Fujiwara clan and had a common name - "Gosetsuke". From among the men of this kind, regents (sessho) and chancellors (kampaku) of Japan were appointed, and wives for emperors were chosen from among women.

The following in nobility were the Hirohata, Daigo, Kuga, Oimikado, Saionji, Sanjo, Imaidegawa, Tokudaiji, and Kaoin clans. From among them, the highest state dignitaries were appointed.

So, representatives of the Saionji clan served as imperial stables (meryo no gogen). Then came all the other aristocratic clans.

The hierarchy of nobility of aristocratic families began to take shape in the VI century and lasted until the end of the XI century, when power in the country passed to the samurai. Among them, the clans of Genji (Minamoto), Heike (Taira), Hojo, Ashikaga, Tokugawa, Matsudaira, Hosokawa, Shimazu, Oda enjoyed special respect. A number of their representatives at different times were the shoguns (military rulers) of Japan.

The personal names of aristocrats and high-ranking samurai were formed from two kanji (hieroglyphs) of a "noble" meaning.

The personal names of samurai servants and peasants were often given according to the "numbering" principle. The first son is Ichiro, the second is Jiro, the third is Saburo, the fourth is Shiro, the fifth is Goro, and so on. Also, in addition to "-ro", the suffixes "-emon", "-ji", "-zo", "-suke", "-be" were used for this purpose.

Upon entering the samurai during his youth, he chose a different name for himself than what he was given at birth. Sometimes samurai changed their names throughout adulthood, for example, to emphasize the onset of her new period (promotion or moving to another duty station). The lord had the right to rename his vassal. In the event of a serious illness, the name was sometimes changed to the name of the Buddha Amida in order to appeal to his mercy.

According to the rules of samurai fights, before the fight, the samurai had to give his full name so that the enemy could decide whether he was worthy of such an opponent. Of course, in life this rule was observed much less frequently than in novels and chronicles.

At the end of the names of girls from noble families, the suffix "-hime" was added. It is often translated as "princess", but in fact it was used in relation to all noble young ladies.

For the names of the wives of the samurai, the suffix "-gozen" was used. Often they were called simply by their husband's surname and rank. personal names married women practically used only by their close relatives.

For the names of monks and nuns from the noble classes, the suffix "-in" was used.

Modern names and surnames

During the Meiji Restoration, all Japanese were given surnames. Naturally, most of them were associated with various signs. peasant life especially with rice and its processing. These surnames, like those of the upper class, were also usually composed of two kanji.

The most common Japanese surnames now are Suzuki, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Watanabe, Saito, Sato, Sasaki, Kudo, Takahashi, Kobayashi, Kato, Ito, Murakami, Onishi, Yamaguchi, Nakamura, Kuroki, Higa.

Men's names have changed less. They also often depend on the "serial number" of the son in the family. The suffixes "-ichi" and "-kazu" meaning "first son" are often used, as well as the suffixes "-ji" ("second son" and "-zo" ("third son").

Most Japanese female names end in “-ko” (“child” or “-mi” (“beauty”). Girls are usually given names that are related in meaning to everything beautiful, pleasant and feminine. Unlike male names, female names are usually written not in kanji, but in hiragana.

Some modern girls do not like the "-ko" ending in their names and prefer to omit it. For example, a girl named "Yuriko" might refer to herself as "Yuri".

According to the law passed during the time of Emperor Meiji, after marriage, the husband and wife are required by law to take the same surname. In 98% of cases, this is the husband's surname. For several years now, parliament has been discussing an amendment to Civil Code allowing spouses to keep premarital surnames. However, while she can not get the required number of votes.

After death, a Japanese person receives a new, posthumous name (kaimyo), which is written on a special wooden tablet (ihai). This tablet is considered the embodiment of the spirit of the deceased and is used in funeral rites. Kaimyo and ihai are bought from Buddhist monks, sometimes even before the person dies.

The surname in Japanese is called "myoji" (苗字 or 名字), "uji" (氏) or "sei" (姓).

The vocabulary of the Japanese language has long been divided into two types: wago (Jap. 和語?) - native Japanese words and kango (Jap. 漢語?) - borrowed from China. Names are divided into the same types, although a new type is now actively expanding - gairaigo (Jap. 外来語?) - words borrowed from other languages, but components of this type are rarely used in names.

Modern Japanese names are divided into the following groups:

kunnye (consisting of vago)

onny (consisting of kango)

mixed

The ratio of Kun and Onn surnames is approximately 80% to 20%.

The most common surnames in Japan are:

Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 Sato:?)

Suzuki (jap. 鈴木?)

Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋?)

Tanaka (Japanese: 田中?)

Watanabe (jap. 渡辺?)

Ito (Japanese: 伊藤 Itō:?)

Yamamoto (jap. 山本?)

Nakamura (Japanese: 中村?)

Ohayashi (Jap. 小林?)

Kobayashi (Jap. 小林?) (different surnames, but spelled the same and have roughly the same distribution)

Kato (Jap. 加藤 Kato:?)

Many surnames, although they are read according to the on (Chinese) reading, go back to ancient Japanese words and are written phonetically, and not in meaning.

Examples of such surnames: Kubo (jap. 久保?) - from jap. kubo (jap. 窪?) - a hole; Sasaki (jap. 佐々木?) - from the ancient Japanese sasa - small; Abe (jap. 阿部?) - from the ancient word ape - to connect, mix. If we take into account such surnames, then the number of native Japanese surnames reaches 90%.

For example, the hieroglyph 木 ("tree") is read in kun as ki, but in names it can also be read as ko; The hieroglyph 上 ("up") can be read in kun as both ue and kami. There are two different surnames Uemura and Kamimura, which are written the same way - 上村. In addition, there are dropping out and merging of sounds at the junction of components, for example, in the surname Atsumi (Japanese 渥美?), the components separately are read as atsui and umi; and the surname 金成 (kana + nari) is often read simply as Kanari.

When combining hieroglyphs, the alternation of the ending of the first component A / E and O / A is typical - for example, 金 kane - Kanagawa (Jap. 金川?), 白 Shiro - Shiraoka (Jap. 白岡?). In addition, the initial syllables of the second component often become voiced, for example 山田 Yamada (pit + ta), 宮崎 Miyazaki (miya + saki). Also, surnames often contain the remainder of the case indicator no or ha (in ancient times it was customary to put them between the given name and surname). Usually this indicator is not written, but read - for example, 一宮 Ichinomiya (ichi + miya); 榎本 Enomoto (e + moto). But sometimes the case indicator is displayed in hiragana, katakana, or a hieroglyph - for example, 井之上 Inoue (and + but + ue); 木ノ下 Kinoshita (ki + katakana no + sita).

The vast majority of surnames in Japanese consist of two characters, surnames of one or three characters are less common, and four-digit or more surnames are very rare.

One-component surnames are mainly of Japanese origin and are formed from nouns or medial forms of verbs. For example, Watari (Jap. 渡?) - from watari (Jap. 渡り crossing?), 　Hata (Jap. 畑?) - the word hata means "plantation, vegetable garden". Onn surnames consisting of one hieroglyph are much less common. For example, Cho (Jap. 兆 Cho:?) means “trillion”, Ying (Jap. 因?) means “reason”.

Japanese surnames consisting of two components, the majority, are called numbers in 60-70%. Most of them are surnames from Japanese roots- it is believed that such surnames are the easiest to read, since most of them are read according to the usual kuns used in the language. Examples - Matsumoto (Jap. 松本?) - consists of the nouns used in the language of matsu "pine" and moto "root"; Kiyomizu (Japanese: 清水?) - consists of the adjective stem 清い kiyoi - "clean" and the noun 水 mizu - "water". Chinese two-component surnames are less numerous and usually have a single reading. Often Chinese surnames contain numbers from one to six (excluding four 四, since this number is read the same as "death" 死 si and they try not to use it). Examples: Ichijo: (Japanese 一条?), Saito: (Japanese 斉藤?). There are also mixed surnames, where one component is read by on, and the other by kun. Examples: Honda (jap. 本田?), khon - "base" (on reading) + ta - "rice field" (kun reading); Betsumiya (jap. 別宮?), betsu - "special, different" (on reading) + miya - "temple" (kun reading). Also, a very small part of the surnames can be read both by ons and by kuns: 坂西 Banzai and Sakanishi, 宮内 Kunai and Miyauchi.

In three-component surnames, Japanese roots are often found phonetically recorded by onami. Examples: 久保田 "Kubota (probably the word 窪 kubo "fossa" is spelled phonetically as 久保), 阿久津 Akutsu (probably the word 明く aku "open" is spelled phonetically as 阿久). However, common three-component surnames consisting of three kun readings are also common. Examples: 矢田部 Yatabe, 小野木 Ōnoki There are also three-component surnames with Chinese reading.

Four or more component surnames are very rare.

There are surnames with very unusual readings that look like puzzles. Examples: 十八女 Wakairo - written in characters "eighteen-year-old girl", and read as 若色 "young + color"; The surname denoted by the character 一 "one" is read as Ninomae, which can be translated as 二の前 ni no mae "before the deuce"; and the surname 穂積 Hozue, which can be interpreted as "gathering of ears", is sometimes written as 八月一日 "the first day of the eighth lunar month" - apparently on this day the harvest began in ancient times.

Nowadays, cartoons from Japan - anime - are very popular. The names and surnames of the characters in these cartoons attract many fans of the specific atmosphere of Japanese animation and the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun. What do all these beautiful Japanese surnames and names of heroes mean? This question is asked by many people who have looked at the masterpieces of Hayao Miyazaki at least once in their lives.

Japanese names consist of a genus name and a proper name. They are usually written using hieroglyphs, although since 1985 other characters have been allowed to write names. Most Japanese names mean rural landscapes, for example, Yamamoto - mountain + base, Matsumoto - pine + base.

Ancient surnames can mean belonging to a place at the court of the emperor or speak of merit to the country and the ruling dynasty. More recently, until 1867, ordinary Japanese did not have surnames. They could add their place of birth or the name of their trading company to their name.

After 1867, the government, trying to bring the customs of the West to Japan, ordered everyone to invent family names. This circumstance gave rise to many troubles associated with the incorrect spelling of a particular name.

Features of surnames in Japan

According to rough estimates, there are more than 100,000 different surnames in the Land of the Rising Sun. The most common are: Sato (two hieroglyphs meaning the words helper and wisteria), Suzuki (bell ringing + tree) and Takahashi (high bridge).

Cultural differences between Yamato and Okinawa have led to specific surnames common only in Okinawa. These include such rare surnames as:

Writing and reading Japanese surnames is not as difficult as given names. Japanese surnames and their meaning are often lost next to given names, which are often difficult to spell and pronounce due to their diversity. This does not apply to classical names, but after 1990, characters began to appear in the names of young Japanese that cannot always be read unambiguously.

Nominal suffixes

In the tradition of Japan, there are nominal suffixes -chan and -kun. With their help, diminutive names are formed. The full name or an abbreviated one can be taken as a basis, depending on the proximity of the relationship between the bearer of the name and the speaking person.

In any conversation, one or another nominal suffix is ​​added to the name. Without it, treatment is considered rude. The Japanese often use the following suffixes:

Surname types

It is known that in Japan there is still one family that does not have a last name. This is the imperial family. With the name of the emperor, too, not everything is simple. The emperor is not usually called by name. In childhood, he has one name, after accession to the throne - another, and after death - a third.

All Japanese surnames are divided into Kun, On and mixed. Kunny - surnames consisting of wago, that is, traditionally Japanese words. Onny - consisting of kango - words borrowed from the Chinese dictionary.

The most common type of surname is kunny, about 80% of them.

Women's names in Japan

As in many cultures, in Japan, names are most often given in the hope that the child will have the qualities that the name indicates. Therefore, female names often contain hieroglyphs meaning beauty, love, intelligence, calmness, tenderness, truth, and other features necessary for any girl.

There are names with hieroglyphs meaning animals and plants. If the animals in the name are considered old-fashioned, except for the hieroglyph crane, then the plant theme is very relevant now. In popular female names, you can find the hieroglyphs rice, flower, chrysanthemum, bamboo, willow and peach.

In ancient families, there is a tradition to name a girl in the order of birth, so noble Japanese women can have numerals in their names. But there is also a tradition to include a hieroglyph in the spelling of the name, indicating the season or weather conditions during which the girl was born.

Nowadays it has become fashionable to call girls foreign, more often European names , for example, Anna or Mary. Such names are accompanied by beautiful Japanese surnames of girls, for example, Sato or Ito, Watari or Cho.

Until 1868, the hieroglyph -ko (child) in the name of a girl could only be found in the imperial family. But after the Meiji Restoration, this prefix was very popular, until 2006, when simple names came into fashion.

An indicator of belonging to the female sex is also -mi (beauty). It can occur in any part of the name.

The Japanese education and publishing company Benesse Corp. conducts a study every year to find out which names were popular among newborns. Popular among female names are Yui (bind + clothes), Aoi (geranium) and Yua (connect + love).

Male names in Japan

Some male names after 1990 received a new reading to the old spelling, for example: 大翔 - used to be read as Hiroto. Now this name is also read as Haruto, Yamato and even Daito.

Often male names include:

Popular male names now are: Hiroto (large + flying), Ren (lotus), and Yuma (calm + honest).

Due to the difficulties of spelling and reading, Japanese surnames in English do not always accurately convey their meaning. After all, many names are written in paired hieroglyphs, and any Asian language has little in common with English, Russian or any other European language. Sometimes it is almost impossible for Europeans to understand the meaning attached to the names of the Chinese or Japanese. After all, in Russia a couple of letters is a set of 2-4 sounds, and in Japan - a whole sentence.

Attention, only TODAY!

Japan is a unique country. What is behind these words? A special, unlike anything nature, culture, religion, philosophy, art, lifestyle, fashion, cuisine, the harmonious coexistence of high technology and ancient traditions, as well as the Japanese language itself - is as difficult to learn as it is fascinating. One of the most important parts of the language are names and surnames. They always carry a piece of history, and the Japanese ones are doubly curious.

Decode name

Why do we, foreigners, know all this? Firstly, because it is informative and interesting, because Japanese culture has penetrated into many areas of our modern life. It is very exciting to decipher the names of famous people: for example, the cartoonist Miyazaki - “temple, palace” + “cape”, and the writer Murakami - “village” + “top”. Secondly, all this has long and firmly become part of the youth subculture.

Fans of comics (manga) and animation (anime) simply love to take various Japanese names and surnames as pseudonyms. Sump and other online games also make extensive use of such aliases for player characters. And no wonder: such a nickname sounds beautiful, exotic and memorable.

These mysterious Japanese names and surnames

The Land of the Rising Sun will always find something to surprise an ignorant foreigner. It is noteworthy that when recording or formally introducing a person, his last name comes first, and then his first name, for example: Sato Aiko, Tanaka Yukio. For the Russian ear, this sounds unusual, and therefore it can be quite difficult for us to distinguish Japanese names and surnames from each other. The Japanese themselves, in order to avoid confusion when communicating with foreigners, often write down their surname in capital letters. And it really makes things easier. Fortunately, it is customary for the Japanese to have only one given name and one surname. And such a form as a patronymic (patronymic) is absent from this people at all.

Another unusual feature of Japanese communication is the active use of prefixes. Moreover, these prefixes are most often attached to the surname. European psychologists say that there is nothing more pleasant for a person than the sound of his name - but the Japanese, apparently, think otherwise. Therefore, names are used only in situations of very close and personal communication.

What attachments are available

• (surname) + dignity - universal polite address;
• (surname) + sama - an appeal to members of the government, directors of companies, clerics; also used in stable combinations;
• (last name) + sensei - an appeal to martial arts masters, doctors, as well as professionals in any field;
• (surname) + kun - an appeal to teenagers and young men, as well as an elder to a younger or a superior to a subordinate (for example, a boss to a subordinate);
• (name) + chan (or chan) - an appeal to children and among children under 10 years old; appeal of parents to their offspring of any age; in an informal setting - to beloved and close friends.

How often are Japanese names and surnames used? Surprisingly, even family members rarely call each other by their first names. Instead, special words are used meaning "mother", "dad", "daughter", "son", "older sister", " younger sister", "Older brother", " younger brother", etc. The prefixes "chan (chan)" are also added to these words.

Women's names

Girls in Japan are most often called names that mean something abstract, but at the same time beautiful, pleasant and feminine: "flower", "crane", "bamboo", "water lily", "chrysanthemum", "moon" and so on. similar. Simplicity and harmony - that's what distinguishes Japanese names and surnames.

Female names in many cases contain the syllables (hieroglyphs) "mi" - beauty (for example: Harumi, Ayumi, Kazumi, Mie, Fumiko, Miyuki) or "ko" - child (for example: Maiko, Naoko, Haruko, Yumiko, Yoshiko, Hanako , Takako, Asako).

Interestingly, some girls in modern Japan consider the “ko” ending unfashionable and omit it. So, for example, the name "Yumiko" turns into the everyday "Yumi". And friends of this girl are turning "Yumi-chan."

All of the above are quite common female Japanese names in our time. And the names of the girls are also distinguished by amazing poetry, especially if you translate an exotic combination of sounds into Russian. Most often they convey the image of a typical Japanese rural landscape. For example: Yamamoto - "the base of the mountain", Watanabe - "to cross the neighborhood", Iwasaki - "rocky cape", Kobayashi - "small forest".

A whole poetic world is opened by Japanese names and surnames. Women's pieces are especially similar to haiku pieces, surprising with their beautiful sound and harmonious meaning.

Male names

Men's names are the most difficult to read and translate. Some of them are formed from nouns. For example: Moku ("carpenter"), Akio ("handsome"), Ketsu ("victory"), Makoto ("truth"). Others are formed from adjectives or verbs, for example: Satoshi ("smart"), Mamoru ("protect"), Takashi ("high"), Tsutomu ("try").

Very often, Japanese male names and surnames include characters that indicate gender: “man”, “husband”, “hero”, “assistant”, “tree”, etc.

Often used This tradition originated in the Middle Ages, when there were many children in families. For example, the name Ichiro means "first son", Jiro means "second son", Saburo means "third son", and so on up to Juro, which means "tenth son".

Japanese boy names and surnames can be created simply on the basis of the hieroglyphs available in the language. During the imperial dynasties, they gave great importance how to call yourself and your children, but in modern Japan, the advantage is given simply to what you like in sound and meaning. At the same time, it is absolutely not necessary for children from the same family to have names with a common hieroglyph, as was traditionally practiced in the imperial dynasties of the past.

All Japanese male names and surnames have two features in common: the semantic echoes of the Middle Ages and the difficulty of reading, especially for a foreigner.

Common Japanese surnames

Surnames are distinguished by a large number and variety: according to linguists, there are more than 100,000 surnames in the Japanese language. For comparison: there are 300-400 thousand Russian surnames.

The most common Japanese surnames at present are: Sato, Suzuki, Takahashi, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Watanabe, Saito, Kudo, Sasaki, Kato, Kobayashi, Murakami, Ito, Nakamura, Oonishi, Yamaguchi, Kuroki, Higa.

An interesting fact: Japanese names and surnames have different popularity, depending on the area. For example, in Okinawa (the country's southernmost prefecture), the surnames Chinan, Higa, and Shimabukuro are quite common, while very few people carry them in the rest of Japan. Experts attribute this to differences in dialects and culture. Thanks to these differences, the Japanese, by the name of their interlocutor alone, can tell where he comes from.

Such different names and surnames

IN European culture certain traditional names are characteristic, from which parents choose the most suitable for their baby. Fashion trends often change, and one or the other becomes popular, but rarely does anyone come up with a unique name on purpose. In Japanese culture, things are different: there are many more singular or rare names. Therefore, there is no traditional list. Japanese names (and surnames too) are often formed from any beautiful words or phrases.

Name poetry

First of all, female names are distinguished by a pronounced poetic meaning. For example:

• Yuri - "Water Lily".
• Hotaru - "Firefly".
• Izumi - "Fountain".
• Namiko - "Child of the Waves".
• Aika - "Song of Love".
• Natsumi - "Summer Beauty".
• Chiyo - "Eternity".
• Nozomi - "Hope".
• Ima - "Gift".
• Rico - "Jasmine Child".
• Kiku - "Chrysanthemum".

However, among the male names you can find beautiful meanings:

• Keitaro - "Blessed".
• Toshiro - "Talented".
• Yuki - "Snow";.
• Yuzuki - "Crescent".
• Takehiko - "Bamboo Prince".
• Raydon - "God of Thunder".
• Toru - "Sea".

Family poetry

There are not only names. And last names can be very poetic. For example:

• Arai - "Wild Well".
• Aoki - "Young (green) tree."
• Yoshikawa - "Lucky River".
• Ito - "Wisteria".
• Kikuchi - "Pond with chrysanthemums."
• Komatsu - "Little Pine".
• Matsuura - "Pine Bay".
• Nagai - "Eternal well".
• Ozawa - "Little swamp".
• Oohashi - "Big Bridge".
• Shimizu - "Pure water".
• Tiba - "Thousand leaves".
• Furukawa - "Old River".
• Yano - "Arrow on the Plain".

bring a smile

Sometimes there are funny Japanese names and surnames, or rather, funny-sounding for the Russian ear.

Among these, masculine names can be noted: Bank, Quiet (emphasis on "a"), Usho, Joban, Sosi (emphasis on "o"). Among women, it’s funny for a Russian-speaking person to sound: Hey, Wasp, Ori, Cho, Ruka, Rana, Yura. But such funny examples are extremely rare, given the rich variety of Japanese names.

As for the surnames, it is more likely to find a strange and difficult to pronounce combination of sounds here than a funny one. However, this is easily compensated by numerous funny parodies of Japanese names and surnames. Of course, they are all invented by Russian-speaking jokers, but there is still some phonetic similarity with the originals. For example, such a parody: Japanese racer Toyama Tokanawa; or Tokhripo Tovizgo. Behind all these "names" a phrase in Russian is easily guessed.

Interesting facts about Japanese names and surnames

In Japan, there is still a law that has been preserved since the Middle Ages, according to which a husband and wife must have the same surname. Almost always this is the husband's surname, but there are exceptions - for example, if the wife is from a noble, famous family. However, so far in Japan it does not happen that spouses wear double surname or each his own.

In general, in the Middle Ages, only Japanese emperors, aristocrats and samurai had surnames, and ordinary people were content with nicknames, which were often attached to names. For example, the place of residence, or even the name of the father, was often used as a nickname.

Japanese women also often did not have surnames: it was believed that they did not need anything, because they were not heirs. The names of girls from aristocratic families often ended in "hime" (which means "princess"). Samurai wives had names ending in gozen. Often they were addressed by the surname and title of the husband. But personal names, both then and now, are used only in close communication. Japanese monks and nuns from the nobility had names ending in "in".

After death, every Japanese acquires a new name (it is called "kaimyo"). It is written on a sacred wooden tablet called "ihai". The nameplate is used in burial rites and memorial rituals, as it is considered the embodiment of the spirit of the deceased person. People often acquire kaimyo and ihai u during their lifetime. In the views of the Japanese, death is not something tragic, but rather one of the stages on the path of an immortal soul.

Learning more about Japanese names and surnames, you can not only learn the basics of the language in a peculiar way, but also better understand the philosophy of this people.

The Japanese give their children names according to tradition. As a rule, the family name (that is, the surname) comes first, and then the personal name of the person. This is a fairly common practice in East Asia. Exactly on the same principle, the names and surnames of the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai peoples are built. The Japanese population does not have a patronymic, there is only a surname and a first name, and the Japanese imperial family does not have a surname at all, only first names. Very often, Japanese girls' names are created independently from existing signs, which is why there are a lot of unique female names in the country. At the same time, Japanese names for girls differ from male names mainly in components and structure. At the moment, the country has a list of Japanese names from which you can choose a name suitable for your child.

How are Japanese names formed? The keyword in the name can be a seasonal phenomenon, a shade of color, a gem. Also, parents may wish that the newborn child becomes strong, wise, and for this they use the hieroglyphs of strength and wisdom. IN Lately It has become popular to call a child according to the sonority of names, that is, if the desired name has a pleasant sound, then the parents determine the hieroglyphs with which they will write this name. In addition, in Japan it is customary to name children after celebrities, however, as in all nations of the world. Children can be given the names of heroes of historical chronicles, pop stars, and even heroes of TV shows.

Lists of Japanese girl names:

Aneko - older sister

Kaede - maple leaf

Rin - surly

Amaya - night rain

Kameko - baby turtle

Rei - gratitude

AI - love

Kita - north

Rai - truth

Akina - spring flower

Kiku - chrysanthemum

Reiko - gratitude

Azarni - thistle flower

Kumiko - forever beautiful

Rini - little bunny

Arahsi - storm, whirlwind

Kagami - mirror

Riko - jasmine child

Akiko - autumn child

Kiyoko - purity

Ran - water lily

Akane - sparkling red

Kyoko - mirror

Ruri - emerald

Kohaku - amber

Ren - water lily

Aki - born in autumn

Kazuko is a cheerful child

Suzu - bell

Ayame - iris

Leiko - arrogant

Sorano - heavenly

Asuka - the scent of tomorrow

Masa - straight

Sayuri - little lily

Akako - red

Maeko - honest child

Anda - met in the field

Mizuki - beautiful moon

Satu - sugar

Anzu - apricot

Mura - rustic

Sumi - cleansed

Akemi - dazzlingly beautiful

Mai - bright

Sango - coral

Aiko - beloved child

mika - new moon

Shizuka - quiet

Chikako - child of wisdom

Miki - stalk

Shika - deer

Chizu - a thousand storks

Maemi - sincere smile

Suzume - sparrow

Chinatsu - thousand years

Matsu - pine

Sachi - happiness

Chika - wisdom

Miya - three arrows

Sakura - cherry flowers

Chiyo - eternity

Momoko - peach child

Sachiko - child of happiness

Cho - butterfly

Miyako - March's beautiful baby

Suki - favorite

Dai - great

Misaki - the flowering of beauty

Etsu - delightful, charming

Mariko - child of truth

Suma - asking

Etsuko is an adorable child

Machi - ten thousand years

Shina - worthy

Fujita - field, meadow

Moriko - child of the forest

Tomiko - child of wealth

Gin - silver

Marise - endless

Tani - the child from the valley

Hanako - flower child

Michi - fair

Taura - many rivers

Hide - prolific

Manami - the beauty of love

Tamiko - child of abundance

haruka - distant

Mitsuko - child of light

Taka - noble

Hoshi - star

Minako is a beautiful child

Takako - tall child

Hikaru - light, shining

Mine - brave protector

Toshi - mirror image

Hiroko - generous

Midori - green

Tora - tigress

Hitomi - doubly beautiful

Michiko - beautiful and wise

Tama - gem

Hotaru - firefly

Michie - gracefully dangling flower

Takara - treasure

Haruko - spring

Machiko - lucky child

Tsuyu - morning dew

Hana - flower

Tsukiko - child of the moon

Izumi - fountain

Nikki - two trees

Toya - house door

Ishi - stone

Umeko - child of plum blossoms

Isami - courage

Nyoko - gem

Usagi - rabbit

Ima is a gift

Naomi - above all beauty

Ume - plum blossom

Izanami - attracting

Natsuko - summer child

Yoshiko - perfect

Junko - pure child

nori - law

Yuko - kind child

Kasumi - mist

Naoko - obedient child

Yuri - lily

Kyoko is a happy child

Nami - wave

Yumi - like an onion

Kohana - small flower

Nana - apple

Yumiko - child of the arrow

Kotone - the sound of a koto

Nozomi - hope

Yuriko - child of a lily

Kei - respectful

Natsumi - beautiful summer

Yoshi - perfection

Namiko - child of the waves

Yumako - Yuma's baby

Kichi - lucky

Nariko - sissy

Yoko - child of the sun

kuri - chestnut

Noriko - child of the law

Yachi - eight thousand

Kimiko - child of noble blood

Oki - middle of the ocean

Yukiko - snow child

Keiko - adored

Orino - peasant meadow