Cute Japanese surnames. Japanese surnames

Cute Japanese surnames.  Japanese surnames
Cute Japanese surnames. Japanese surnames

A Japanese given name (Japanese 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 can have many different pronunciations on different occasions.
Modern Japanese names can be compared to names in many other cultures. All Japanese have a single surname and a single given name without a middle name, with the exception of the Japanese Imperial Family, whose members do not have a surname.
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 a huge number of unique names. Surnames are more traditional and most often go back to toponyms. There are more names in Japanese than surnames. Male and female names differ due to their characteristic components and structure. Reading Japanese proper names is one of the most difficult elements of the Japanese language.

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 - Older sister
Anzu - F - Apricot
Arata - M - Inexperienced
Arisu - F - Yap. form of the name Alice
Asuka - F - The scent 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
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 Spring
Haruka - F - Far
Haruko - F - Spring
Hachiro - M - Eighth son
Hideaki - M - Brilliant, excellent
Hikaru - M/F - Light, shining
Hide - F - Fertile
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 - Carrying 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 - Big Guy
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 - Koto sound
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 - Endless
Masa - M/F - Straight (human)
Masakazu - M - First son of Masa
Mashiro - M - Wide
Matsu - F - Pine
Mayako - F - Child Maya
Mayoko - F - Baby Mayo
Mayuko - F - Baby Mayu
Michi - F - Fair
Michie - F - Gracefully dangling 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 - Bloom 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 - Baby Mutsu

Japanese names and their meanings

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 - Jewel

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 - Jasmine Child
Rin - F - Unfriendly
Rinji - M - Peaceful forest
Rini - F - Little Bunny
Risako - F - Child Risa
Ritsuko - F - Child of Ritsu
Roka - M - White wave crest
Rokuro - M - Sixth son
Ronin - M - Samurai without a master
Rumiko - F - Baby Rumi
Ruri - F - Emerald
Ryo - M - Superb
Ryoichi - M - First son of Ryo
Ryoko - F - Baby 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 - Luckily Born
Saeko - F - Baby Sae
Saki - F - Cape (geographical)
Sakiko - F - Baby Saki
Sakuko - F - Baby Saku
Sakura - F - Cherry blossoms
Sanako - F - Baby 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 - Like Bamboo
Takeshi - M - Bamboo tree or brave
Takumi - M - Artisan
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 - House door
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 - Yoga Practitioner
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 - Baby Yuma
Yumi - F - Like a bow (weapon)
Yumiko - F - Arrow Child
Yuri - F - Lily
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".

Japanese names and their meanings

Akito - Sparkling Man
Kuramori Reika - "Treasure Protector" and "Cold Summer" Rurouni - Wandering Wanderer
Himura - "Burning Village"
Shishio Makoto - True Hero
Takani Megumi - "Love Sublime"
Shinomori Aoshi - "Green Bamboo Forest"
Makimachi Misao - "Ruling the City"
Saito Hajime - "The Beginning of Human Life"
Hiko Seijuro - "Justice Triumphed"
Seta Sojiro - "Comprehensive Forgiveness"

Mirai is the future
Hajime - boss
Mamoru is a protector
Jibo - earth
hikari - light
Atarashiki - transformations
Namida - tears
Sora - the sky
Ginga - the universe
Eve is alive
Izzy is a doctor
Usagi is a rabbit
Tsukino - Lunar
Ray is the 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 - the way
Cayo - sea
Hotaru - light
Tomo is a friend.
Kaori - soft, affectionate
Yumi - "Perfumed Beauty"
Hakufu - Noble Sign

Japanese nominal suffixes and personal pronouns

Nominal suffixes

In Japanese, there is a whole set of so-called nominal suffixes, that is, suffixes added in colloquial speech to names, surnames, nicknames and other words denoting an interlocutor or a third person. They are used to indicate social relations 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, in public). 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 analogue 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".

Xi (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. Not used with names - only with designations of position in the family ("father", "mother", "brother").

Herself (sama) - highest degree 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" - "one of the Sai".

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

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

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"

Watashi - A polite option. Recommended for use by foreigners. Usually used by men. Infrequently used in colloquial speech, as it carries a connotation of "high style".
Atashi (Atashi) - Polite option. Recommended for use by foreigners. Usually used by women. Or gay. ^_^ Not used when communicating with high-ranking personalities.
Watakushi - A very polite female version.
Washi - Obsolete polite variant. Does not depend on gender.
Wai (Wai) - Kansai analogue 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 (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.
Daikou or Naikou (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 (Gusei) - An analogue of "hisyo", but somewhat less pejorative.
Oira (Oira) - Polite form. Commonly used by monks.
Chin (Chin) - A special form that only the emperor has the right to 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". Let's say in spells ("I conjure"). In modern Japanese, "I" is rarely used. It is more often used to form a return form, for example, - “forgetting about yourself” - “vare 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 (Ware-ware) - A very polite, formal option.
Bokura - An impolite variant.
Touhou - Common variant.

Group with the meaning "You / You":

Anata (Anata) - General polite option. Also the common address of a wife to her husband ("dear").
Anta (Anta) - 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) - "Mistress". 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 (Onore) - 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 surname, 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 in different time 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").
Names containing "shin" are generally considered unfortunate and unlucky because "shin" is Japanese for "death".

Most Japanese female names end in "-ko" ("child") or "-mi" ("beauty"). Girls, as a rule, are given names that are connected in meaning with everything beautiful, pleasant and feminine. Unlike male names, female names are usually written in hiragana instead of kanji.

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, an amendment to the Civil Code has been discussed in parliament, allowing spouses to leave 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 a person's death.

The surname in Japanese is called "myoji" (or), "uji" () or "sei" ().

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

Modern Japanese names are divided into the following groups:

* kunny (consisting of vago)
*on (consisting of kango)
* mixed

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

The most common surnames in Japan are:

1. Sato
2. Suzuki
3. Takahashi
4. Tanaka
5. Watanabe
6. Ito
7. Yamamoto
8. Nakamura
9. Ohayashi
10. Kobayashi (different surnames, but spelled the same and have roughly the same distribution)
11. 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 - from Japanese. kubo - hole; Sasaki - from the ancient Japanese sasa - small; Abe - 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 (“tree”) is read in kun as ki, but in names it can also be read as ko; The hieroglyph ("up") can be read in kun as ue and kami. There are two different surnames, Uemura and Kamimura, which are spelled the same. In addition, there are falling out and merging of sounds at the junction of components, for example, in the surname Atsumi, the components are separately read as atsui and umi; and the surname (kana + nari) is often read simply as Kanari.

When combining hieroglyphs, the alternation of the endings of the first component A / E and O / A is typical - for example, kane - Kanagawa, shiro - Shiraoka. In addition, the initial syllables of the second component often become voiced, for example, Yamada (pit + ta), 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, Ichinomiya (iti + miya); Enomoto (e + moto). But sometimes the case indicator is displayed in hiragana, katakana or a hieroglyph - for example, Inoue (and + but + ue); 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 - from watari (jap. crossing), Khata - the word hut means "plantation, vegetable garden." Onn surnames consisting of one hieroglyph are much less common. For example, Cho (jap. Cho) - means "trillion", Ying (jap.) - "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 - consists of the nouns used in the language matsu "pine" and moto "root"; Kiyomizu - consists of the basis of the adjective kiyoi - "clean" and the noun 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, since this number is read in the same way as the “death” of si and they try not to use it). Examples: Ichijo, Saito. There are also mixed surnames, where one component is read by on, and the other by kun. Examples: Honda, khon - "base" (on reading) + ta - "rice field" (kun reading); Betsumiya, 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: Banzai and Sakanishi, Kunai and Miyauti.

In three-component surnames, Japanese roots are often found phonetically recorded by onami. Examples: "Kubota (probably the word kubo "hole" is written phonetically), Akutsu (probably the word aku "open" is written phonetically). However, the usual three-component surnames consisting of three kun readings are also common. Examples: Yatabe, 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: Wakairo - written in hieroglyphs "eighteen-year-old girl", but read as "young + color"; The surname denoted by the hieroglyph "one" is read as Ninomae, which can be translated as no no mae "before the deuce"; and the surname Hozue, which can be interpreted as "gathering ears" is sometimes written as "the first day of the eighth lunar month" - apparently on this day the harvest began in ancient times.

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Japanese surnames

Japanese surnames

On the other hand, if the name is common, Juan, Pedro, Alejandro, Susana or English language Jennifer, Susan, Mike, we'll have to do more personality work, but the benefit is that the names will be more common and many readers will feel identified with the character.

We can also use aliases or names of things. When he needed a name, he would watch TV and the first thing that came out would be the name. In Naruto we also find such names, Naruto is a type of ramen with a spiral in the center, Neji is a screw in the shape of his attacks, and Orochimaru is a monstrous snake. A couple of links so you can see the meanings of these series names.

Japanese full name, as a rule, consists of a generic name (surname), followed by a personal name. Traditionally, in Japan, the surname comes first, and then the given name. This is a common practice in East and Southeast Asia, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and some other cultures.

Modern Japanese often write their names in the European order (personal name, and then family name), if they write in Latin or Cyrillic.

At first, this way of choosing names may seem strange to us, but the reality is that we do it too. In Japan, a person's family name or family name precedes the given name. Most Japanese surnames are made up of two separate Chinese characters called kanji. Many of these symbols refer to elements found in nature, such as geographic elements. Japanese surnames usually refer to clans or families that lived in ancient times near certain geographical features.

The Japanese surname Akiyama means "autumn mountain". The Japanese surname Fujimoto means "the base of Mount Fuji". This surname is commonly found in eastern Japan. People with this surname are usually descendants of the Fujiwara clan. The Japanese surname Fujioka means "a person who lives near Mount Fuji". It also mentions the city of Gunma, in Japan.

All Japanese people have a single last name and a single given name. no patronymic, except for the Japanese imperial family, whose members do not have a surname.

The first law on Japanese names and surnames appeared at the beginning of the Meiji era - in 1870. Under this law, every Japanese was required to choose a surname for himself. Most of the surnames created at that time come from the names of the place of residence. And many Japanese surnames mean different rural landscapes.

The Japanese name Oshiro means "great castle", the great castles that formed the previous kingdom of Okinawa. In the United States, the family name makes up 791 of the 799 common family names. The Japanese name Hashimoto means "base of the bridge". Hashimoto's also refers to an autoimmune system disorder in which T cells attack thyroid cells. This disease is named after the Japanese doctor who discovered it, Hakaru Hashimoto.

The Japanese surname Takahashi means "little bridge". It also belongs to the ancient family of Kyushu. It is one of the 10 most common surnames in Japan. There are many names 4 letters, more than 10% off total number, although not the category you have, there are many more than 5 or 6 letters. Having so many of all layers: Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Germanic, Slavic, Kurdish, Arabic, etc. etc.

Japanese surnames (list)

Akiyama

asano

Asayama

Arai

Araki

Wada

Watanabe

Yoshimura

Ikeda

Imai

inoe

Isis

Ishikawa

Katsura

Kido

Kimura

Kita

Kitano

Kobayashi

Kojima

Japanese language family Japanese-Ryukyuan languages, of uncertain origin. Its alphabet is completely different from ours, so Japanese names are romanized here so they can read and write with our alphabet. Names for Japanese children are not very long, and the meaning of Japanese names refers to important objects in them, like the sun, flowers and plants, typical islands, moral values, and physical significance.

Number of letters - All up to 3 letters with 4 letters with letters 5 6 7 letters with letters with letters 8 9 10 letters with letters 11 letters 12 letters. Great to be brave, friend of her friends. It is also the name of the month in Russian. The name of the girl, which means beautiful letter.

Condo

Kubo

Kubota

Kuroki

Maruyama

matida

Matsuda

Matsui

Maeda

Minami

Miura

Morimoto

Morita

Murakami

Murata

Nagai

Nakai

Nakagawa

Naqada

Nakamura

Nakano

The name of a woman, of Japanese origin, which means "fast" arrow. Hak of this boy's name is of Japanese origin and means "pure". This means that the time of spring, the sun. True for both sexes. "I myself." "Three arrows" temple. At the beginning of the Meiji era, their use was expanded. the entire population. The fact that in Japan the surname is mentioned before the given name. and the discrepancy between Japanese names and those used between us. sometimes it makes it difficult for a westerner to distinguish what is a given name and what is a surname, unless his studies or long. permanence in Japan to be confirmed.

Nakahara

Nakayama

Narazaki

Ogawa

Ozawa

Okada

Oonisi

Uno

Oyama

Sawada

Sakai

Sakamoto

Sano

Sibata

Suzuki

Taguchi

Takano

Tamura

Tanaka

Tanigawa

Takahashi

An additional complication is pseudonyms, as well as the names of Buddhists, which are used to designate some of the outstanding masters of others. once. It is also surprising that some characters in Japanese history, literature, and art are known by their first names rather than their last names.

The approximate percentage of families with one of these surnames is: Kim. as in the case of Mongolia. we rewrite them. Abe. and after the various transformations ended up being extinguished, or rather diluted, at the beginning of the tenth century by new usages and norms in names or denominations. Bulletin of the Spanish Association of Orientalists. Uji was the title or surname of the upper classes. This wealth of surnames contrasts sharply with the case of Korea. Hayashi. banking and insurance companies. about fifteen years ago they started discussing whether it would be convenient to have surnames.

Tachibana

Takeda

Uchida

Ueda

Uematsu

Fujita

Fujii

Fujimoto

Fukushima

Hara

Hattori

Hayashi

Hirano

Honda

Hoshino

Tsubaki

Enomoto

Yamada

Yamaki

Yamanaka

Yamasaki

Uji was granted by the Emperor in essence. in which almost 50% of the population was nicknamed in one of three ways: Kim. they were not missed. Something similar happened recently in Cambodia. it seems like the last name doesn't exist properly. the names that were added to uji stayed for a couple of centuries. Watanabe. and telephone directories. Kobayashi. we can say that the most common surnames among these twenty-five: Sato. and kakibe or being subordinate workers at the behest of the clan. During the Edo period. 3rd drop.

Swedish or Danish. following this order. many people adopted the surname for the first time. Sakamoto. Anglo-Norman Fitz. As for the meaning of surnames. village. This will more or less mean our name Barquero. Fine. many attempts at genealogical explanation remain up in the air. high. The vast majority of current surnames refer to elements of nature or landscape. very clearly refers to those who. bridge.

Yamamoto

Yamamura

Yamashita

Yamauchi

Yasuda

The most common Japanese surnames

Suzuki (Wooden bell)

Watanabe (Walk in the neighborhood)

Tanaka (Midfield)

Yamamoto (Foot of the Mountain)

Takahashi (High Bridge)

Kobayashi (Little Forest)

These mixtures have often come up over the centuries. Kawamoto. a cloak or tongue of land that goes out to sea. There is also the surname Oribe. lake. naturally. Montalto. in Spanish and other languages ​​nearby. Kobayashi. bamboo. Dubois. we will finish this work by providing some very common examples of surnames currently in use. Because the subject is incomprehensible. pear or pear. Sato, Suzuki, Takahashi, Tanaka, Watanabe, Ito, Yamamoto, Nakamura, Kobayashi, Saito. Are these names familiar?

You should probably know someone who carries one of these. This is because they are incredible. Japan is one of the countries with the largest number of surnames in the world. In total, there are about 100,000 registered family names in the country. So, on the other side of this huge list, what will be the most unusual and unique names?

Murakami (Head of the village)

Nakamura (Village Center)

Kuroki (Ebony)

Oonisi (Greater West)

Hashimoto (bridge)

Miura (three bays)

Takano (plain)

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Let's take a look at the rankings and the somewhat curious values ​​of some of them. People with last name: 300 Meaning: 50 villages. According to a study by Myoji Yuraj Chita, this country has approximately 300 people. When written with different characters, "ikari" can also mean "anger" or an anchor.

To clarify this name, initially do not return to the word "salt". However, it is written and pronounced exactly like "shio", the Japanese word for table salt. People with this last name: 920. People with this last name: 850 Meaning: 99. People with this last name: 700 Meaning: first waterfall, first shallow water.

Japanese surnames

GACKT and some Yaoi...

People with last name: 440 Meaning: Japanese ginger. Myoga is the first in a series of farming surnames on the list. This highlights how much of Japan's population was associated with agriculture before the end of the feudal era. People with surname: 270 Meaning: red grandfather.

Reference to people is quite rare, let alone a specific color. People with last name: 240 Meaning: root. People with this surname: 230 Meaning: the plain of harmony. People with this last name. Tree references are common in Japanese surnames. For example, Matsuda means "field of pines" and Sugimoto means "source of cedar". However, flowers appear less frequently, especially when the letter exactly matches the name of the flower.

Japanese names and their meanings

Japanese given names (人名 jinmei?) these days usually consist 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 can have many different pronunciations on different occasions.
Modern Japanese names can be compared to names in many other cultures. All Japanese have a single surname and a single given name without a middle name, with the exception of the Japanese Imperial Family, whose members do not have a surname.
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 a huge number of unique names. Surnames are more traditional and most often go back to toponyms. There are more names in Japanese than surnames. Male and female names differ due to their characteristic components and structure. Reading Japanese proper names is one of the most difficult elements of the Japanese language.

People with last name: 130 Meaning: planting rice. People with a surname: 120 Meaning: honorary lake Bodisatva. People with last name: 120 Meaning: teacher. People with this surname: 110 Meaning: water wheel, mill. People with last name: 90 Meaning: Kyoto, the former capital of Japan.

People with this last name: 90 Meaning: one hundred hundred. People with last name: 80 Meaning: harmonious bedroom. People with last name: 60 Meaning: hours. People with this last name: 50 Meaning: Agricultural products. People with last name: 40 Meaning: Blacksmith's mansion. People with last name: 30 Meaning: May.

Ancient traditions, Japanese surnames contain important information about families, their way of life or their main characteristics. To give you an idea of ​​how vast the world of surnames is, it is estimated that over 100,000 of them are used in Japan today. To understand why their meanings and the reasons why each family chose each denomination, it is necessary to understand the entire historical context surname formation. According to Maria Fusako Tomimatsu, director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Londrin University, the study of surnames is still emerging in Brazil. “This is a vast area of ​​research, but one that has not yet been developed in the country,” he muses.

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

Japanese names

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 - Older sister
Anzu - F - Apricot
Arata - M - Inexperienced
Arisu - F - Yap. form of the name Alice
Asuka - F - The scent 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
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 Spring
Haruka - F - Far
Haruko - F - Spring
Hachiro - M - Eighth son
Hideaki - M - Brilliant, excellent
Hikaru - M/F - Light, shining
Hide - F - Fertile
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 - Carrying 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 - Big Guy
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 - Koto sound
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 - Endless
Masa - M/F - Straight (human)
Masakazu - M - First son of Masa
Mashiro - M - Wide
Matsu - F - Pine
Mayako - F - Child Maya
Mayoko - F - Baby Mayo
Mayuko - F - Baby Mayu
Michi - F - Fair
Michie - F - Gracefully dangling 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 - Bloom 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 - Baby Mutsu

Until the end of the Edo-era, only nobles and samurai had the right to bear a surname. Until feudal times, the names of the Japanese clans were prominent figures in the history of the archipelago. The names of each member were marked by following scheme: clan name in name. No? between the designation of the clan and the name of the person means "from".

Although nobles and samurai already used surnames, common people only used surnames. If necessary, they included the designation of their places of birth in the first name. For example, a Taro born in Asano Village, Shimotsuke Province would be a Taro from Asano Village in Shimotsuke.

Japanese names and their meanings

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 - Jewel
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 - Jasmine Child
Rin - F - Unfriendly
Rinji - M - Peaceful forest
Rini - F - Little Bunny
Risako - F - Child Risa
Ritsuko - F - Child of Ritsu
Roka - M - White wave crest
Rokuro - M - Sixth son
Ronin - M - Samurai without a master
Rumiko - F - Baby Rumi
Ruri - F - Emerald
Ryo - M - Superb
Ryoichi - M - First son of Ryo
Ryoko - F - Baby 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 - Luckily Born
Saeko - F - Baby Sae
Saki - F - Cape (geographical)
Sakiko - F - Baby Saki
Sakuko - F - Baby Saku
Sakura - F - Cherry blossoms
Sanako - F - Baby 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 - Like Bamboo
Takeshi - M - Bamboo tree or brave
Takumi - M - Artisan
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 - House door
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 - Yoga Practitioner
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 - Baby Yuma
Yumi - F - Like a bow (weapon)
Yumiko - F - Arrow Child
Yuri - F - Lily
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".

As a result, many families used elements of nature as surnames or established relationships with what they did or where they lived. How to find out the meaning of your last name. In many families, the meaning and origin of these words have been lost to generations. And in order to name with confidence the meaning of a surname, you need to know its composition in Japanese. If none of the oldest generations of your family can reproduce the surname in Japanese, should you resort to the koseki family? family register in hometown Japan? in which you can see the original composition of the surname in Japanese, that is, in kanji, characters of Chinese origin are also used in Japanese writing.

Japanese names and their meanings

Akito - Sparkling Man
Kuramori Reika - "Treasure Protector" and "Cold Summer" Rurouni - Wandering Wanderer
Himura - "Burning Village"
Shishio Makoto - True Hero
Takani Megumi - "Love Sublime"
Shinomori Aoshi - "Green Bamboo Forest"
Makimachi Misao - "Ruling the City"
Saito Hajime - "The Beginning of Human Life"
Hiko Seijuro - "Justice Triumphed"
Seta Sojiro - "Comprehensive Forgiveness"
Mirai is the future
Hajime - boss
Mamoru is a protector
Jibo - earth
hikari - light
Atarashiki - transformations
Namida - tears
Sora - the sky
Ginga - the universe
Eve is alive
Izzy is a doctor
Usagi is a rabbit
Tsukino - Lunar
Ray is the 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 - the way
Cayo - sea
Hotaru - light
Tomo is a friend.
Kaori - soft, affectionate
Yumi - "Perfumed Beauty"
Hakufu - Noble Sign

Japanese names names surnames and their meanings
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. in the name can be used keyword- seasonal phenomenon, color shade, gemstone, 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

In Japanese, there is a whole set of so-called nominal suffixes, that is, suffixes added in 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, in public). What follows is a list of some of these suffixes (in ascending order of "respectfulness") Japanese names and their meanings Japanese given name Japan surnames given names green yaponiya live 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 analogue of "-chan" and "-kun".

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

Tti (cchi) - Children's version of "-chan" (cf. "Tamagotti" Japanese names and their meanings Japanese name Japan surname names green yaponiya live.

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".

Xi (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. Not used with names - only with designations of position in the family ("father", "mother", "brother" Japanese names and their meanings Japanese name Japan surnames names green yaponiya live.

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" - "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"
Watashi - A polite option. Recommended for use by foreigners. Usually used by men. Infrequently used in colloquial speech, as it carries a connotation of "high style".
Atashi (Atashi) - Polite option. Recommended for use by foreigners. Usually used by women. Or gay. ^_^ Not used when communicating with high-ranking personalities.
Watakushi - A very polite female version.
Washi - Obsolete polite variant. Does not depend on gender.
Wai (Wai) - Kansai analogue 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 (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.
Daikou or Naikou (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 (Gusei) - An analogue of "hisyo", but somewhat less pejorative.
Oira (Oira) - Polite form. Commonly used by monks.
Chin (Chin) - A special form that only the emperor has the right to 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” Japanese names and their meanings Japanese name Japan surnames names green yaponiya live. In modern Japanese, it is rarely used in the meaning of “I”. It is more often used to form a return form, for example, - “forgetting about yourself” - "ware in wasurete" [Speaker's name or position] - Used by children or when communicating with them, usually in the family. Let's say a girl named Atsuko might say "Atsuko is thirsty." Or her older brother, referring to her, might 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 (Ware-ware) - A very polite, formal option.
Bokura - An impolite variant.
Touhou - Common variant.

Group with the meaning "You / You":
Anata (Anata) - General polite option. Also, the usual address of a wife to her husband ("dear" Japanese names and their meanings Japanese name Japan surname names green yaponiya live.
Anta (Anta) - 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) - "Mistress". 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 (Onore) - 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 surname, 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. The personal names of married women were practically used only by their close relatives.
For the names of monks and nuns from the noble classes, the suffix "-in" was used.
Modern Japanese names and surnames

During the Meiji Restoration, all Japanese were given surnames. Naturally, most of them were associated with various signs of 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 today

Suzuki, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Watanabe, Saito, Sato, Sasaki, Kudo, Takahashi, Kobayashi, Kato, Ito, Murakami, Onishi, Yamaguchi, Nakamura, Kuroki, Higa.

Names often contain the same hieroglyphs as surnames, and the same phonetic and word-formation patterns apply to names. However, there are much more components included in names than for surnames, although there are certain patterns here too. Names include established components or combinations of components. The names are often used infrequently in modern language reading hieroglyphs, reading nanori, and often there is no pattern in this.
There is a group of hieroglyphs that are stably read in names by one on or kun (among them, the most common are those that have only one reading):
準 jun 準吉 Junkichi
謙 ken 謙蔵 Kenzo:
鉄 tetsu 鉄山 tetsuzan
鋼 ko: 鋼治 koji
諸 Moro 諸平 Morohira
Another, more numerous group of hieroglyphs in names uses two or three reading options (1-2 for kun and 1 for on), and the choice of reading often depends on the position of the component in the name. For example, the characters 政、光、盛、信、宣 in the position of the second component are usually read in kun, and the characters 一、七、十、六、吉、作、三郎、太郎 in combination with them are also read in kun. In combination with hieroglyphs, these signs are read on it.
Consider now the structure and types of Japanese male names
There are many fairly typical one-component names related to vago. They come from the old written final form of the predicative adjective (which ended in si), either from the third (dictionary) stem of the verb, or from the noun. At the same time, variable endings are not written in the names, only the root hieroglyph is written.

For example:
博 Hiroshi, 実 Minoru,
正 Tadashi, 薫 Kaworu,
武 Takeshi, 東 Azuma,
雅 Masashi, 登 Noboru.
均 Hitoshi,

There are few simple names related to kango with onu readings.

For example:

竜 Ryu, 順 Jun.

Compound names with two components often include as second (third) elements the characters 郎, 夫, 男, 志, 人, 士, 彦, 司 meaning "man", "husband", "warrior", "outstanding person", as well as many other second elements.

Second stable components of two-component names
a) Japanese origin
…雄 o “strong, brave, superiority, male” (from osu), ….男o from otoko “man”, …夫 o from otto “husband”. Read in kuna
Masao
和夫 Kazuo
信夫 Nobuo
…哉 i This character is found only in male names and denoted earlier the exclamation of delight "ah!". Names with this component are read by kun
澄哉 Sumiya
只哉 Tadai
… 彦 hiko. In ancient times, it meant "prince" and could only be included in the names of noble people. Names with this component feel old-fashioned and lack popularity. Names with this component have a coon reading
紀彦 Norihiko
勝彦 Katsuhiko
…助,…介, …輔 suke. In ancient times, all the hieroglyphs that denote this component meant "assistant" and served as a designation of the position. Names with this component are read by kun
直助, 直介 Naosuke
…之, …行, …幸 yuki. Names with these components are read in kun and are considered euphonious, although the yuki component is omitted in everyday communication. The first two hieroglyphs are read non-standard yuki: the first hieroglyph means an indicator of the genitive case in Chineseisms, the second is the auspicious meaning of “happiness”, and the third “going through life”
直之 Naoyuki
…人, …仁 hito. They have the meaning "man" (the second hieroglyph is read non-standard, and usually has a different meaning and reading - "philanthropy, humanity"). Names with this ending have a noble connotation, as emperors wear them. All names with this component have a coon reading.
康人 Yasuhito
…樹 ki "tree" second component of names with kun reading
直樹 Naoki
茂樹 Shigeki b) of Chinese origin (read from onu)
…器 ki “ability”,…機 ki “loom”, …毅 ki “courage, courage, fortitude”, …記 ki “chronicle”, …騎 ki “horseman”. All components and, accordingly, the names with them are read by it.
光記 Ko:ki
春機 Shunki
誠器 Seiki
明毅 Meiki
…朗, …郎 ro: "young man". It mainly follows the hieroglyphs-numerals, which reflect the order of the birth of sons in the family. Names for the most part are read by it.
太郎 Tarot,
二郎 Jiro

... 也 is the on reading of the hieroglyph, which in the old written language also meant the bunch of nari "to be". Names with this component are read by it.
心也 xingya

...吾 go - one reading of the hieroglyph with the meaning "I", "our", names with it are read according to it
健吾 Kengo

...平, …兵 hei. the second character was part of the names of military positions during the Nara period, and now names with this endings look like archaic. Names with this component are read by it.
隼兵 Junpei

…太 ta “fat, big”. Names with this component are read by it and were often used in classical works. Japanese writers, belonging to the characters of servants, peasants and conveying the image of a good-natured fat man.
権太 Gonta

...志 si ("will, aspiration"), ...史 si "history", ...士 si "samurai", ...司 si "govern". Names with these components are read by it, but there are also names with kun readings of the first components, and have very "masculine" meanings.
強志 Tsuyoshi
仁志 Hitoshi
雄司 Yuuji

...一 ichi "unit". Being in the second position in the name, this hieroglyph means "first (in something)" All names with this component are read by it
英一 Eiichi
雄一 Juichi

...二 ji "second", "next", 治 ji "to manage", 次 ji "next", 児 ji "child". All these components are probably related to the order of the appearance of sons in the family, some of them are matched in sound to onu ji - next. Names with these components have the same reading
研次 Kenji
...蔵,..., 造, ...三 zo: This ending is common among two-syllable names. It is more often used in names that read it, but it can also appear in the names of the Japanese root.

A significant part of male names from two components does not belong to any of the categories listed above. Among them are the names of the Japanese and Chinese roots. The names of the Japanese root are formed by adding the stems of nouns, nouns with an adjective or verb, adjectives with verbs. The components themselves often have a benevolent meaning.
貫之 Tsurayuki
広重 Hiroshige
正則 Masanori
There are much fewer Chinese root names of this type, and they are additions of hieroglyphs read by onons. moreover, the hieroglyphs used in such names and in male names in general have a benevolent meaning
勇吉 Yukichi
啓治 Keiji

There are few three-component names, and most of them are names with stable combinations of two components

Persistent components of three-part names
…一郎 itiro: "first son"
憲一郎 Kenichiro

….太郎 taro: "eldest son"
竜太郎 Ryu: taro:

…次郎、….二郎 jiro: "second son"
正二郎 Sho:jiro:

…司郎、…志郎、…士郎 Shiro:
恵司郎 Keishiro:

…之助, …之輔, …之介、….nosuke (see suke component)
準之助 Junnosuke

Another category of three-component names are names with one stable component 雄, 郎, 彦, 志, etc. from those listed at the mention of two-component names, but forming a complex of two components written in ateji - hieroglyphs in sound (i.e., the Japanese word is written in hieroglyphs readable according to her)
亜紀雄 Akio
伊智郎 Ichiro:
賀津彦 Katsuhiko
左登志 Satoshi

There are few names with four components, mostly names with stable final combinations …左衛門 zaemon, …右衛門 emon

Most Japanese female names end in "-ko" ("child" Japanese names and their meanings Japanese name Japan surnames names green yaponiya live or "-mi" ("beauty" Japanese names and their meanings Japanese name Japan surnames names green yaponiya live. 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, an amendment to the Civil Code has been discussed in parliament, allowing spouses to leave premarital surnames. However, while she can not get the required number of votes. After death, the Japanese receive 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 a person's death.

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 also 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:

Kunny (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 - 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 writing 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?) - "reason".

Japanese surnames consisting of two components, the majority, are called numbers in 60-70%. Of these, 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 (Jap. 清水?) - consists of the stem of the adjective 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?), hon - "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 "hole" is written phonetically as 久保, 阿久津 Akutsu (probably the word 明く aku "to open" is written phonetically as 阿久. However, the usual 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 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.
Russian female names in Japanese:

Alexandra - (protector) - Mamoka
Alice - (from the noble class) - Yoizokumi
Alla - (other) - Sonota
Anastasia - (resurrected) - Fukkatsumi
Anna - (mercy, grace) - Jihiko
Antonina - (spatial) - Sorariko
Anfisa - (blooming) - Kaika, - Sakura
Valentine - (strong) - Tsuyoi
Barbara - (cruel) - Zankokumi
Vasilisa - (royal) - Joteiko
Faith - (faith) - Shinkori
Victoria - (winner) - Seri
Galina - (clarity) - Tomei
Daria - (great fire) - Ohiko
Evgenia - (noble) - Yoyidenko
Catherine - (purity, cleanliness) - Koheiri
Elena - (light) - Hikari
Elizabeth - (worshiping God) - Kaikanna
Zinaida - (born of a god) - Kamigauma
Zoya - (life) - Sei - Inochi
Inna - ( torrential stream) – Hayakawa
Irina - (peace or anger) - Sekai, - Ikari
Karina - (darling) - Kawaimi
Kira - (Mistress) - Fujinka
Claudia - (limping) - Rameyo
Xenia - (stranger, stranger) - Khoromi
Larisa - (seagull) - Kamome
Lydia - (sad song) - Nageki
Love - (love) - Ai, - Ayumi
Lyudmila - (dear to people) - Tanomi
Margarita - (pearl) - Shinjuka, - Tamae
Marina - (marine) - Maritaimi
Maria - (bitter, stubborn) - Nigai
Hope - (hope) - Nozomi
Natalya - (born, native) - Umari
Nina - (queen) - Quinmee
Oksana - (inhospitable) - Isonaku
Olesya - (forest) - Ringyoko
Olga - (light) - Hikari
Polina - (destroying, destroying) - Hakaina
Raisa - (heavenly, light, submissive) - Tenshimi
Svetlana - (light) - Hikaru
Seraphim - (flaming snake) - Honooryumi
Snezhana - (snowy) - Yuki, Yukiko
Sofia - (wise) - Kasikomi
Tamara - (palm tree) - Yashimi
Tatyana - (mistress) - Joshiko
Ulyana - (righteous) - Tadashimi
Julia - (wavy, fluffy) - Hajouka, - Nami
Yana - (God's grace) - Jihiri

Feminine endings of names: -i, -mi, -ko, -ri, -yo, -e, -ki, -ra, -ka, -na.
An article about this list of names, with another list of Russian names in Japanese.

Russian male names in Japanese:

Alexander - (Defender) 守る - Mamoru
Alexey - (assistant)  ―助け - Taske
Anatoly - (sunrise) 東 - Higashi
Andrew - (courageous, brave) - 勇気 オ Yukio
Anton - (competitor) -力士 - Rikishi
Arkady - ( happy country) – 幸国 - Shiawakuni
Artem - (intact, impeccable health) 安全 - Anzen
Arthur - (big bear) 大熊 - Okuma
Boris - (wrestling) - 等式 - Toshiki
Vadim - (proving)  ― 証明 - Shomei
Valentine - (strong, healthy) - 強し - Tsuyoshi
Valery - (peppy, healthy) - 元気等 - Genkito
Basil - (royal) - 王部 - Obu
Victor - (winner) - 勝利者 - Shorisha
Vitaliy (vital) - 生きる - Ikiru
Vladimir (lord of the world) - 平和主 - Heiwanushi
Vyacheslav (famous) - 輝かし - Kagayakashi
Gennady - (noble, well-born) - 膏血 - Koketsu
George (farmer) - 農夫 - Nofu
Gleb (block, pole) -ブロック- Burokku
Gregory (awake) - 目を覚まし ―Meosamashi
Daniel (God's Judgment) - 神コート - Kamikoto
Demyan - (subjugator, pacifier) ​​- 征服 者 - Seifuku
Denis - (life force of nature) - 自然 力 - Shizenryoku
Dmitry (earth fruit) - 果実 - Kajitsu
Eugene (noble) - 良遺伝子 - Ryōidenshi
Egor (patron of agriculture) - 地 主 - Jinushi
Emelyan - (flattering, pleasant in a word) - 甘言 - Kangen
Yefim (blessed) - 恵まろ-Megumaro
Ivan - (God's grace) - 神の恩寵 - Kaminooncho
Igor - (army, courage) - 有事路 Yujiro
Ilya - (fortress of the Lord) - 要塞主 - Yosaishyu
Cyril - (lord of the sun) - 太陽の領主 - Tayonoryoshchu
Constantine (permanent) - 永続 - Eizoku
Lion (lion) - 獅子オ - Shishio
Leonid (son of a lion) - 獅子急 - Shishikyu
Maxim (great) - 全くし - Mattakushi
Michael (Godlike) - 神図 - Kamizu
Mark (hammer) - Tsuchiro
Nikita (victorious) - 勝利と - Shorito
Nicholas (victory of the people) -人の勝利 - Hitonoshiori
Oleg (light) - 光ろ - Hikaro
Pavel (small) - 小子 - Shoshi
Peter (stone) - 石 - Yishi
Roman (Roman) -ローマン - Roman
Ruslan (hard lion) - 獅子 ハード - Shishihado
Stanislav (to become famous) - 有名なる - Yumeinaru
Stepan (crown, wreath, crown) - 花輪ろ - Hanawaro
Yuri (creator) - やり手 - Yarite
Yaroslav (bright glory) - 明る名 - Akarumei

Masculine name endings: -o, -go, -hiko, -ro, -ru, -si, -ki, -ke, -zu, -ya, -ti, -iti, -mu, -to, -hei, - boo, -n, -ta, -sa, -give.

How to determine your Japanese hipster name

Today I saw a funny version of how you can define your Japanese name. True, there is some point, this is not just a name, but a hipster name. And if you read yourself deep down, or on the outside as a hipster, you'll be interested in knowing your name.


Open the picture in full size, find the month of your birth and date. Add up the resulting words and here it is your Japanese name.

Japanese female names, unlike male ones, are read quite simply and have a clear meaning. They have interesting traditions and unforgettable translation. Women's names amaze with their sound, and one can only guess what is hidden behind it. But we propose not to guess, but to find out what female Japanese names really mean. It will be interesting! Doubt? Read on and check for yourself!

Female Japanese names

Japanese female names are very easy to read and easily translated. The translation from Japanese is excellent as always. The meaning of the name gives its owner something sublime and beautiful. You can see for yourself, before you list of female Japanese given names.

Name Meaning
A zumi safe place to live
ai indigo or love
Ayano silk colors
Aika love song
Akemi bright beauty
Aimi beauty of love
Asuka fragrance
Atsuko kind child
Amea evening rain
Ayame iris flower
Akane brilliant
Akane brilliant red
Ayame patterned girl
Arizou noble appearance
B unco educated child
D janco pure child
June obedient
AND zumi fountain
Yoko ocean baby
Yoshi fragrant branch
Yoshiko noble child

Japanese female names are most often read by kuna so there is no difficulty in reading. And they have a simpler structure than male names. There are exceptions when female names are written exclusively in katakana or hiragana, and sometimes names can also be read according to on reading. But these are just exceptions to the rule. If you want to see also male Japanese names, click on the link!

Name Meaning
TO ame
turtle (meaning long life)
Kamiko perfect child
kyoko child of the capital
Kaworu fragrance
Cotoon harp sound
Katsumi conquering beauty
Kumiko long-lived child
Kyoko child of the city
Koheku amber
Coe world
Kiku chrysanthemum
M ari beloved woman
Mai dance
Miwa beautiful harmony
Makoto correct and true
Miko beautiful baby blessings
Mizuki beautiful moon
Masami elegant beauty
Minori beautiful harbor
Michiko baby that's on the right track
Madoka flower circle
Momo peach
Mamoko baby peach
Mayumi true absorbing beauty
Meiko baby dance

Depending on the main component, female Japanese names can be divided into several groups. Yes, it could be the main component of the abstract meaning. For example, “love” (ay), “mind” (ti), “beauty” (mi). Often such components indicate the desire to possess the necessary qualities in the future. The second kind is animal or plant components. Thus, animal components are now practically not used, they are considered old-fashioned, but earlier this characterized the desired health. Components flora today are popular and are quite frequent among female Japanese names. For example, momo (peach), hana (flower) and so on.

Name Meaning
H atsuko summer baby
Naoki fair punishment
Natsumi summer beauty
Nobuko devoted child
R en water lily
Ray call, spirit, polite woman
rica flavor that is appreciated
Rieux valuable blessing
Ren water lily
Rico jasmine baby
WITH ake cape
Sumiko thinking child
Sacker japanese flourish
Sekiko blooming baby
Sengo coral
T omiko the child who keeps clean
Thacker treasure
Tomoko wise child, friendly
Teruko bright child
At zaji rabbit
Umeko plum blossom child

There are names and numerals. For example, a thousand (ti). There are also names that mean seasons or natural phenomena. For example, yuki (snow), natsu (summer).

Name Meaning
F umiko the child who keeps the beauty
Hideko luxury baby
Haruka distance
hickary shining
Hotaru Firefly
Hitomi name for a girl with very beautiful eyes
Harumi spring beauty
Hoshi star
Haruki spring tree
Chi a thousand blessings
chiasa a thousand flowers
Chiyoko child of a thousand generations
Chow butterfly
Chiheru one thousand springs
W ijeco abundant child
Shizuka quiet girl
Shinju pearl
Shika gentle deer

Do you want to learn how to write names (and not only) in hieroglyphs and learn more about hieroglyphs?

Then sign up for a free course on the effective study of Japanese characters

What Japanese female names have you already come across, for example, when watching Japanese movies or anime? Which ones do you like the most? Share in the comments, please.

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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 " fashion 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 tell you how to read their names, 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 the 19th century, only aristocrats (kuge) and samurai (bushi) had surnames in Japan. 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 characters: "hakama" (the lower part of the traditional Japanese costume, men's pants or women's skirt) and "da" ("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 in connection with the service, etc. The fall of the last Tokugawa shogunate ("River of Virtue") and the transfer of power to Emperor Mutsuhito were fixed on long years exclusive military privileges.

Until the 19th century, in addition to complete impunity and the possibility of easy money, 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. A part of the creative intelligentsia was formed from the samurai environment. 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 male names, female names are usually written not in "solemn" hieroglyphs, but simply in hiragana (the Japanese alphabet used to write Chinese and Japanese words).

So a new list of names

New generations of educated Japanese parents have long sought to expand the old list of nominal characters in order to create completely new, interesting and original names for their children. In September 2004, the Japanese received an additional list - more than 500 hieroglyphs to compile official name 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
Sato: 佐藤 assistant + wisteria
Suzuki 鈴木 bell (bell) + tree
Takahashi 高橋 high+bridge
Tanaka 田中 rice field + middle
Watanabe 渡辺/渡邊 to cross+neighborhood
Ito: 伊藤 I + wisteria
Yamamoto 山本 mountain + base
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 forest
20 Shimizu 清水 pure water
21 Yamazaki/ Yamasaki 山崎 mountain + cape
22 Maury 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 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 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 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 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 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 can have many different pronunciations on different occasions.

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

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 a huge number of unique names. Surnames are more traditional and most often go back to toponyms. There are more names in Japanese than surnames. Male and female names differ due to their characteristic components and structure. Reading Japanese proper names is one of the most difficult elements of the Japanese language.

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 - Yap. 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 in 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, in public). 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. The personal names of married women were 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 of 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, an amendment to the Civil Code has been discussed in parliament, allowing spouses to leave 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%. Of these, 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.