Japanese rare female names. Secrets and mysteries of Japanese female names. And also our blogs

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

Decipher the name

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

Fans of comics (manga) and animation (anime) simply love to take various Japanese names and surnames as pseudonyms. Samp and other online games also actively use such nicknames for player characters. And it’s not surprising: such a nickname sounds beautiful, exotic and memorable.

These mysterious Japanese first and last names

A country rising sun will always find something to surprise an ignorant foreigner. It is noteworthy that when recording or officially introducing a person, his last name comes first, and then his first name, for example: Sato Aiko, Tanaka Yukio. This sounds unusual to the Russian ear, and therefore it can be quite difficult for us to distinguish Japanese names and surnames from each other. The Japanese themselves, in order to avoid confusion when communicating with foreigners, often write their surname in capital letters. And it really makes the task easier. Fortunately, it is customary for the Japanese to have only one first name and one surname. And this people does not have such a form as patronymic (patronymic).

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

What attachments are available in

• (last name) + san - universal polite address;
• (surname) + sama - address to government members, company directors, clergy; also used in stable combinations;
• (surname) + sensei - an appeal to martial arts masters, doctors, as well as professionals in any field;
• (surname) + kun - addressing teenagers and young men, as well as senior to junior or superior to subordinate (for example, boss to subordinate);
• (name) + chan (or chan) - appeal to children and among children under 10 years old; parents' appeal to their offspring of any age; in an informal setting - to lovers and close friends.

How common are Japanese first and last names? It's surprising, but even family members rarely call each other by name. Instead they are used special words, meaning “mother”, “father”, “daughter”, “son”, “elder sister”, “younger sister”, “elder brother”, “younger brother”, etc. The prefixes “ are also added to these words chan (chan).”

Female names

Girls in Japan are most often called names that mean something abstract, but at the same time beautiful, pleasant and feminine: “flower”, “crane”, “bamboo”, “water lily”, “chrysanthemum”, “moon”, etc. similar. Simplicity and harmony are what distinguish Japanese names and surnames.

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

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

All of the above are quite common Japanese female names these days. And the girls’ surnames are also strikingly poetic, especially if you translate the exotic combination of sounds into Russian. Most often they convey the image of a typical Japanese village landscape. For example: Yamamoto - “base of the mountain”, Watanabe - “cross the surrounding area”, Iwasaki - “rocky cape”, Kobayashi - “small forest”.

Japanese names and surnames open up a whole poetic world. Women's ones are especially similar to works in the haiku style, surprising with their beautiful sound and harmonious meaning.

Male names

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

Very often, Japanese male names and surnames include hieroglyphs indicating gender: “man”, “husband”, “hero”, “helper”, “tree”, etc.

Often used This tradition originated in the Middle Ages, when families had many children. For example, the name Ichiro means “first son”, Jiro means “second son”, Saburo means “third son”, and so on until Juro, which means “tenth son”.

Japanese boys' names and surnames can be created simply on the basis of the hieroglyphs available in the language. During the imperial dynasties, great importance was attached to what to call oneself and one’s children, but in modern Japan, preference is given simply to what one liked in sound and meaning. At the same time, it is not at all necessary that children from the same family bear names with a common hieroglyph, as was traditionally practiced in imperial dynasties of the past.

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

Common Japanese surnames

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

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

Fun fact: Japanese first and last names vary in popularity depending on the area. For example, in Okinawa (the country's southernmost prefecture), the surnames Chinen, Higa and Shimabukuro are very common, while in the rest of Japan very few people have them. Experts attribute this to differences in dialects and culture. Thanks to these differences, the Japanese can tell just by the surname of their interlocutor where he is from.

Such different names and surnames

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

Poetry of the name

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

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

However, among male names you can find beautiful meanings:

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

Poetry of a surname

It's not just names that are found. And last names can be very poetic. For example:

• Arai - "Wild Well".
• Aoki - "Young (green) tree."
• Yoshikawa - "Happy River".
• Ito - "Wisteria".
• Kikuchi - “Chrysanthemum Pond.”
• Komatsu - "Little Pine".
• Matsuura - "Pine Bay".
• Nagai - "Eternal Well".
• Ozawa - "Little Swamp".
• Oohashi - "Big Bridge".
• Shimizu - “Clean Water”.
• Chiba - “A Thousand Leaves”.
• Furukawa - "Old River".
• Yano - "Arrow on the Plain".

Makes you smile

Sometimes there are funny Japanese names and surnames, or rather, ones that sound funny to the Russian ear.

Among these are male names: Banka, Tikhaya (emphasis on the “a”), Usho, Joban, Soshi (emphasis on the “o”). Among the female ones, the following sounds funny for a Russian speaker: Hey, Osa, Ori, Cho, Ruka, Rana, Yura. But such funny examples are extremely rare, given the rich variety of Japanese names.

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

Interesting facts about Japanese names and surnames

In Japan, there is still a law, preserved from the Middle Ages, according to which husband and wife must have the same surname. This is almost always the husband’s surname, but there are exceptions - for example, if the wife is from a noble family, famous family. However, it is still not the case in Japan that spouses have a double surname or each their own.

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

Japanese women often also did not have surnames: it was believed that they had no need, because they were not heirs. The names of girls from aristocratic families often ended in "hime" (meaning "princess"). Samurai wives had names ending in "gozen". They were often addressed by their husband's surname and title. But personal names, both then and now, are used only in close communication. Japanese monks and nuns from the noble classes bore names ending in “in.”

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

By learning more about Japanese names and surnames, you can not only learn the basics of the language in a unique way, but also gain a deeper understanding of the philosophy of this people.

Women of aristocratic and samurai families also usually did not have surnames, since they did not have the right of inheritance. In those 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 aristocratic surnames has practically not increased since ancient times. Many of them went back to the priestly past of the Japanese aristocracy.

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

The next most important clans were the Hirohata, Daigo, Kuga, Oimikado, Saionji, Sanjo, Imaidegawa, Tokudaji and Kaoin clans. From among them, the highest state dignitaries were appointed. Thus, representatives of the Saionji clan served as imperial grooms (meryo no gogen). Next came all the other aristocratic clans.

The hierarchy of nobility of aristocratic families began to take shape in the 6th century and lasted until the end of the 11th century, when power in the country passed to the samurai. Among them, the clans 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) with a “noble” meaning.

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

Upon entering the period of adolescence, the samurai chose a different name for himself than the one given to him at birth. Sometimes samurai changed their names throughout adult life, for example, to emphasize the onset of a new period (promotion or moving to another duty station). The master had the right to rename his vassal. In cases of serious illness, the name was sometimes changed to that of Amida Buddha to appeal to his mercy.

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

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

The suffix "-gozen" was used for the names of samurai wives. They were often called simply by their husband's surname and rank. 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.

The modern Japanese name in its composition follows the tradition characteristic of Chinese, Korean and a number of other cultures. According to this tradition, a Japanese name consists of family name or surname followed by personal name. Names in Japan are most often written using kanji, which have different pronunciations in different cases.

All modern Japanese have a single surname and only name, they do not have a middle name. The only exception is the imperial family, whose members have only a first name without a surname.

The Japanese pronounce and write their first and last names in reverse order than is customary in the West. First comes the last name, then the first name. However, in Western languages, Japanese names are written in the order familiar to Europeans - the surname follows the given name.

Japanese names are often created independently from existing characters. As a result, this country has a large number of unique, non-repetitive names. More traditional are surnames, which, by their origin, often relate to toponyms. Thus, there are much more given names in Japanese than surnames. The difference between female and male names is expressed in the use of component names and their structure characteristic of each type. It should be noted that reading Japanese names is perhaps the most difficult element in the Japanese language.

Transcription of Japanese names

Most often, in other languages ​​that use the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet, Japanese names are written according to their transcription, as well as ordinary Japanese text, according to the rules of a particular system - for example, Romaji, the Polivanov system. No less common is the recording of Japanese names in non-standard transliteration, for example, instead of “si”, “shi” is used, and instead of “ji” - “ji”, which is explained by an attempt to transliterate from the Latin spelling of the name using the romaji system. For example, the first and last name Honjou Shizuka is read by Russian-speaking readers in most cases as Honjou Shizuka, and not Honjo Shizuka.

In Latin and Cyrillic transcription, Japanese names most often appear in the order familiar to Europeans - first the first name, then the last name, i.e. Yamada Taro is usually written as Tarou Yamada. This order is found in news feeds, magazines and journalistic publications. The Japanese spelling order is less commonly used, but in this case the surname in the Latin spelling is written entirely in capital letters. The Japanese traditional order of indicating surname and first name can be found in professional linguistic publications.

Sometimes you can meet Latin spelling name using standard Latin abbreviations of the name up to the initial. Vowels in Japanese have different lengths, which may be shown orthographically in transliteration (for example, Tarou Yamada), or may not be shown at all (for example, Taro Yamada). In Cyrillic writing, the length of vowels is usually not shown. The exception is educational publications, where the length of vowel sounds is shown in brackets after writing in hieroglyphs and is indicated by a colon.

In Japanese, the relationship of interlocutors to each other is expressed by a suffix, which is added after the name. Thus, san is characteristic of respectful neutral communication, kun is used in a conversation between two men, a classmate or work colleagues of equal rank, and chan is an analogue of diminutive suffixes in Russian. The last suffix is ​​usually used during close acquaintances, when addressing girls or children.

Most Japanese people address each other by their last name. Only among friends and good acquaintances is it possible to address someone by name without a suffix; in other cases, such an address will be considered familiar.

As mentioned above, the choice of a name in Japan is not limited in any way; names can be created from any permitted hieroglyphs. Of course, many Japanese people use popular names that respect certain traditions.

Female Japanese names

Most Japanese names are easy to read and write, but a trend has emerged among parents to choose characters with an unusual spelling or reading. It is for this reason that a large number of interpretations of both the meaning and reading of Japanese names have appeared. This trend began to actively manifest itself since the end of the 20th century.

This phenomenon especially affected women's names. It is for this reason that the popularity of a particular female name is not as stable as that of a male name. Over the past 20 years, the names Misaki and Sakura have continued to remain in the top ten, but they have been supplanted by names such as Hina, Aoi, Rin and Yui, which have not appeared in the top five most popular female names in the last 100 years.

Japanese girl names have a clear and understandable meaning and are easy to read. Most female names are composed of a main component and an indicator, although there are names that do not have an indicator component. Depending on the meaning of the main component, it can be divided into several types.

• Many female names fall into the group of names with abstract meanings. These names are based on components meaning “love”, “calmness”, “tenderness” and others. Such names are given as a wish to possess certain qualities in the future (Kyoko, Michi).
• The next group of names are names that contain animal or plant components. In the past, girls were often given similar names. It was believed to promote health. However, today the fashion for names with animal components has passed. Only the crane component is still popular. And hieroglyphs associated with the world of flora do not go out of fashion to this day. Very often you can find names with components denoting “chrysanthemum” or “bamboo” (Sakura, Hana, Kiku).
• It is very rare to find names with numerals that take their roots in ancient tradition call girls from noble families by birth order (Nanami, Anko).
• You can also find names that have a component with the meaning of seasons, time of day, etc. (Yuki, Kasuma)
• Fashion for foreign names (Anna, Maria and others).

Beautiful Japanese names. The greatest changes have occurred among female names. New signs and hieroglyphs were added to write the name, the view on common use female names - more European-sounding names began to appear that resemble European names, although they are traditionally written in hieroglyphs and composed according to traditional Japanese traditions. Examples would be the names Naomi, Mika, Yuna.

Currently, beautiful Japanese names contain an animal or plant component less and less often, and abstract concepts and desired meanings have increasingly begun to be used. good qualities, future successes (Haruto, Hina, Yuna, Yamato, Sora, Yua). Although the name Sakura does not leave the top ten most popular female names, the female name Aoi (mallow) and the male name Ren (lotus) remain firmly in the top five.

The previously common component of the name with the ending “-ko”, which literally means “child”, began to be considered unfashionable, outdated, and therefore is used less and less, although it has not completely given up its position (Asako, Yumiko, Takako).

Japanese male names

Men's names are incredibly difficult to read. It is in them that non-standard nanori reads and rare reads are used, sometimes some components change in a non-standard way. Thus, the names Kaoru, Shigekazu and Kungoro contain the same hieroglyph, but each individual name is read differently. Also, the same component of yoshi names, which is very common in Japan, can be written with 104 different characters or combinations thereof. It happens that only the native speaker can read a name correctly.

Often one-component names come from verbs or adjectives. For example, Kaoru comes from the verb “to smell,” and Hiroshi comes from the adjective “wide.” Male names that include two hieroglyphs use the hieroglyph denoting a male name as the second hieroglyph, which also shows how the name is read. Names with three components have a similar two-component indicator (Katsumi, Macao, Naoki, Sora).

Time does not stand still, and modern trends have made their own adjustments. Now traditional names continue to predominate among male names, but now they have different reading options. Popular male names in 2005 included names such as Sho, Shota, Hikaru, Tsubasa, Yamato, Takumi and various variations of the name Hiroto.

The traditional male name Hiroto now has alternative readings and “Romanized” transcriptions. In the Russian version of pronunciation and recording, these are as if completely different and not at all close, dissimilar names, because it’s all about recording the hieroglyph and voicing it. Modern twins for the name Hiroto are Haruto, Yamato, Daito, Taiga, Sora, Taito, Masato, all of them are used in modern times on a par with their progenitor.

Most often, male names are divided into the following groups, but these are only the most basic.

• The name contains the component “-ro”, which is interpreted as “son” (Ichiro, Shiro, Saburo). But this part of the name is also attributed the meaning “light”, “clear”, which can add various shades in the meaning of the name.
• The “-to” component is considered masculine and is very rare among female names. It means either “person” (Yuto, Kaito) or “fly”, “soar” (Hiroto).
• The “-dai” component means “big, great.” Only used in male names(Dai, Daichi, Daisuke, Daiki).
• Aspirational names are popular, in which the boy is credited with masculine traits, future success and a wonderful life (Takeshi, Niboru, Ken).
• Traditional names for the Japanese are related to natural phenomena, seasons, natural materials(Kita, Montaro, Kohaku, Akiyama).

List of Japanese names with descriptions

List of Japanese names with meanings

Ai - love

Ayaka - colorful flower

Aiko - favorite child

Aina - loving

Akemi - dazzlingly beautiful

Aki - born in autumn

Akiko - autumn child

Akira - smart, quick-witted

Akihito – bright, friendly

Akiyama – autumn mountain

Amaya - night rain

Ami - beautiful Asian girl

Amida – Japanese name Buddha Amitabha

Anzu - apricot

Anko (Aneko) – older sister

Aoi - pink mallow

Arisu – noble (Japanese equivalent of the name Alice)

Atsuko (Azuko) - kind child

Ayame – iris

Ayana – beautiful sounding

Bachiko – happy child

Botan – long life, longevity

Gin/Gin – silver

Goro – fifth son

Daiki - great tree, great shine

Daisuke - great help

Izumi - fountain

Ima – now

Isamu - cheerful

Itsu (Etsu) – delightful, charming

Ichiro – first son

Ishi – stone

Yoko (Yuko) – light/sunny child

Yori – trustworthy

Yoshi – reed

Kagami – mirror

Kazuko – harmonious child

Kazuo – man of peace

Kaze – wind

Kazuki – hope for peace

Kazuya - harmonious, cheerful

Kaito - elusive

Kameko – child of the turtle (symbol of longevity)

Kana - diligent

Kano – male power, opportunity

Kasumi - haze, fog

Katashi – hardness

Katsu – victory

Katsuo – victorious child

Katsuro – victorious son

Keiko – blessed child, happy child

Ken – strong, healthy

Kenji – strong second son

Kenshin - the heart of the sword

Kenta - healthy and brave

Kiyoko – purity

Kiyoshi – quiet

Kiku – chrysanthemum

Kimiko – child of noble blood

Kin – gold

Kino – aerial, forest

Kita – north

Kichiro – lucky son

Koko – stork

Koto - the name of the national musical instrument of the Japanese - “koto”, melodic

Kohaku – amber

Kohana - small flower

Kumiko - forever beautiful

Kuri – chestnut

Mai – bright, leaf, dance

Maeko – an honest child

Makoto - sincere, true, truthful

Mami - true beauty

Mamoru – earth, protector

Manami – the beauty of love

Marise – infinity

Matsuo – pine

Maemi – sincere smile

Midori – green

Mika – first sound, three trees

Mina - beauty

Mirai – treasure

Misaki – flowering of beauty, beautiful flowering

Miu - beautiful feather

Mitsuki - beautiful moon

Mitsuko – child of light

Michi – fair, road

Miya – three arrows

Montaro – mountains

Momoko – child peach

Nami – wave

Nana – apple, seven

Nanami - seven seas

Naoki - straight tree

Naoko – obedient child, honest child

Naomi – beautiful

Nara – oak

Nariko – sissy, thunder

Natsuko – year old child

Natsumi – beautiful summer

Nibori – famous, rising

Nikki – new hope

Nori - law, ceremony, rite

Nyoko – precious stone

Oki – middle of the ocean

Osamu – law-abiding

Reiko – grateful child, child of thanksgiving

Renzo – third son

Ryo – distant reality

Ryota – corpulent, fat

Riko – child of jasmine, child of reason

Riku - earth, dry land

Rin - unfriendly, cold

Rini - little bunny

A Japanese name (Japanese: 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 using kanji, which in different cases can have a variety of various options pronunciation.

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 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 place names. There are significantly more first 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 parts of the Japanese language.

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

Popular names for boys

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 - Favorite 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 Buddha

Anda - F - Met in the field

Aneko - F - Older sister

Anzu - F - Apricot

Arata - M - Inexperienced

Arisu - F - Japanese. form of the name Alice

Asuka – F – 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 - Thousand Years

Chiyo - F - Eternity

Chizu - F - Thousand storks (implies longevity)

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 - 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 - Distant

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 - Name of a mountain in Japan

Hotaru - F - Firefly

Ichiro - M - First son

Ima - F - Gift

Isami - M - Bravery

Ishi - F - Stone

Izanami - F - Attractive

Izumi - F - Fountain

Jiro - M - Second Son

Joben - M - Loving cleanliness

Jomei - M - Bringing Light

Junko - F - Pure child

Juro - M - Tenth Son

Kado - M - Gate

Kaede - F - Maple leaf

Kagami - F - Mirror

Kameko - F - Turtle Child (symbol of longevity)

Kanaye - M - Diligent

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 - Dear son

Kei - F - Respectful

Keiko - F - Adored

Keitaro - M - Blessed One

Ken - M - Big Man

Ken`ichi - M - Strong first son

Kenji - M - Strong second son

Kenshin - M - Heart of the Sword

Kenta – M – Healthy and brave

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 - Clean

Kiyoshi - M - Quiet

Kohaku – M/F – Amber

Kohana - F - Small flower

Koko - F - Stork

Koto - F - Japanese. musical instrument"koto"

Kotone - F - Sound of koto

Kumiko - F - Forever beautiful

Kuri - F - Chestnut

Kuro - M - Ninth Son

Kyo - M - Agreement (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 - Child Mami

Mamoru - M - Earth

Manami – F – Beauty of love

Mariko - F - Child of truth

Marise – M/F – Infinite

Masa – M/F – Straightforward (person)

Masakazu - M - First son of Masa

Mashiro - M - Wide

Matsu - F - Pine

Mayako - F - Child Maya

Mayoko - F - Child Mayo

Mayuko - F - Child Mayu

Michi - F - Fair

Michie - F - Gracefully hanging flower

Michiko - F - Beautiful and wise

Michio - M - A man with the strength of three thousand

Midori - F - Green

Mihoko - F - Child Miho

Mika – F – New moon

Miki – M/F – Stem

Mikio – M – Three woven trees

Mina - F - South

Minako - F - Beautiful child

Mine - F - Brave Defender

Minoru - M - Seed

Misaki – F – The Bloom of Beauty

Mitsuko - F - Child of Light

Miya - F - Three arrows

Miyako – F – Beautiful child of March

Mizuki – F – Beautiful Moon

Momoko - F - Child Peach

Montaro - M - Big Guy

Moriko - F - Child of the Forest

Morio - M - Forest boy

Mura - F - Village

Mutsuko - F - Child Mutsu

Nahoko - F - Child Naho

Nami - F - Wave

Namiko - F - Child of the Waves

Nana - F - Apple

Naoko - F - Obedient child

Naomi – F – “First of all, beauty”

Nara - F - Oak

Nariko - F - Sissy

Natsuko - F - Summer child

Natsumi – F – Wonderful 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 - Nadezhda

Nyoko - F - Gemstone

Oki - F - Middle of the 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 Risa

Ritsuko - F - Child Ritsu

Roka - M - White wave crest

Rokuro - M - Sixth Son

Ronin - M - Samurai without a master

Rumiko - F - Child Rumi

Ruri - F - Emerald

Ryo - M - Excellent

Ryoichi - M - First son of Ryo

Ryoko - F - Child Ryo

Ryota - M - Strong (fat)

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 Sae

Saki - F - Cape (geographical)

Sakiko - F - Child Saki

Sakuko - F - Child Saku

Sakura – F – Cherry blossoms

Sanako - F - Child Sana

Sango - F - Coral

Saniiro - M - Wonderful

Satu - F - Sugar

Sayuri - F - Little lily

Seiichi - M - Sei's first son

Sen - M - Spirit of the Tree

Shichiro - M - Seventh Son

Shika - F - Deer

Shima - M - Islander

Shina - F - Decent

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 - Bamboo-like

Takeshi - M - Bamboo tree or brave

Takumi - M - Craftsman

Tama – M/F – Gemstone

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 image

Toshiro - M - Talented

Toya – M/F – House door

Tsukiko - F - Moon Child

Tsuyu - F - Morning dew

Udo - M - Ginseng

Ume - F - Plum blossom

Umeko – F – Plum Blossom Child

Usagi - F - Rabbit

Uyeda - M - From the rice field (child)

Yachi - F - Eight thousand

Yasu - F - Calm

Yasuo - M - Peaceful

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 - Child Yuma

Yumi - F - Bow-like (weapon)

Yumiko – F – Arrow Child

Yuri - F - Lily

Yuriko - F - Child of the Lily

Yuu - M - Noble Blood

Yuudai - M - Great Hero

Nagisa - "coast"

Kaworu - “to smell”

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 - 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 - "Run the City"

Saito Hajime - "The Beginning of Human Life"

Hiko Seijuro - "Justice Prevailed"

Seta Sojiro - “Comprehensive Forgiveness”

Mirai - the future

Hajime - boss

Mamoru - protector

Jibo - earth

Hikari - light

Atarashiki - transformations

Namida - tears

Sora - sky

Ginga - the universe

Eva - alive

Izya is a doctor

Usagi - hare

Tsukino - Lunar

Rey - soul

Hino - fire

Ami - rain

Mitsuno - merman

Corey - ice, icy

Makoto is true

Cinema - aerial, forest

Minako - Venus

Aino - loving

Setsuna - guard

Mayo - castle, palace

Haruka - 1) distant, 2) heavenly

Teno - heavenly

Michiru - the way

Kayo - sea

Hotaru - light

Tomo is a friend.

Kaori - soft, affectionate

Yumi - "Fragrant Beauty"

Hakufu - Noble Sign

What to name the child?

For future parents in Japan, special collections of names are published - just like here in general - so that they can choose the most suitable one for their child. In general, the process of choosing (or coming up with) 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 parents’ wish to become strong, wise or brave, for which the hieroglyphs of strength, wisdom and courage are used, respectively.

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

4. It has recently become popular to name a child based 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 historical chronicles, politicians, pop stars, TV series heroes, etc.

6. Some parents rely on various fortune-telling, believing that the number of traits in the hieroglyphs of the first and last names should be combined with each other.

The most common endings for Japanese names are:

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

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

Nominal suffixes

Personal pronouns

Japanese nominal suffixes and personal pronouns

Nominal suffixes

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

Tian (chan) - A close analogue of the “diminutive” suffixes of the Russian language. Usually used in relation to a junior or inferior in a social sense, with whom a close relationship develops. There is an element of baby talk in the use of this suffix. Typically used when adults address children, boys address their girlfriends, girlfriends address each other, and small children address each other. The use of this suffix in relation to people who are not very close and equal in status to the speaker is impolite. Let’s say, if a guy addresses a girl his age in this way, with whom he is not “having an affair,” then he is being inappropriate. A girl who addresses a guy of her own age in this way, with whom she is not “having an affair,” is, in essence, being rude.

Kun (kun) - An analogue of the address “comrade”. Most often used between men or in relation to guys. Indicates, rather, a certain “officiality” of, nevertheless, close relationships. Let's say, between classmates, partners or friends. It can also be used in relation to juniors or inferior in a social sense, when there is no need to focus on this circumstance.

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 a suffix - Close relationships, 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. Calling by last name 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 “Mr./Madam”. A general indication of respect. Often used to communicate with strangers, or when all other suffixes are inappropriate. Used in relation to elders, including older relatives (brothers, sisters, parents).

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

Si (shi) - “Mr,” used exclusively in official documents after the surname.

Fujin - “Lady”, used exclusively in official documents after the surname.

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

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

Dono (dono) - Rare suffix. Respectful treatment to equal or superior, but slightly different in position. Currently considered obsolete and practically not found in communication. In ancient times, it was actively used when samurai addressed each other.

Sensei - “Teacher”. Used to refer to teachers and lecturers themselves, as well as doctors and politicians.

Senshu - “Sportsman.” Used to refer to famous athletes.

Zeki - "Sumo wrestler." Used to refer to famous sumo wrestlers.

Ue (ue) - “Elder”. A rare and outdated respectful suffix used for older family members. Not used with names - only with designations of position in the family (“father”, “mother”, “brother”).

Sama - Highest degree respect. Appeal to gods and spirits, to spiritual authorities, girls to lovers, servants to noble masters, etc. Roughly translated into Russian as “respected, dear, venerable.”

Jin (jin) - “One of.” "Saya-jin" means "one of Saya."

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

Gumi - “Team, group, party.” "Kenshin-gumi" - "Team Kenshin".

Japanese names and their meanings

Personal pronouns

In addition to nominal suffixes, Japan also uses many in various ways addressing each other and calling themselves using personal pronouns. The choice of 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 - An outdated polite option. Doesn't depend on gender.

Wai - Kansai equivalent of washi.

Boku (Boku) - Familiar youth male version. Rarely used by women, in this case “unfemininity” is emphasized. Used in poetry.

Ore - Not a very polite option. Purely masculine. Like, cool. ^_^

Ore-sama - "Great Self". A rare form, an extreme degree of boasting.

Daiko or Naiko (Daikou/Naikou) - Similar to “ore-sama”, but somewhat less boastful.

Sessha - Very polite form. Typically used by samurai when addressing their masters.

Hishou - “Insignificant.” A very polite form, now practically not used.

Gusei - Similar to hisho, but somewhat less derogatory.

Oira - Polite form. Typically used by monks.

Chin - A special form that only the emperor has the right to use.

Ware (Ware) - Polite (formal) form, translated as [I/you/he] “himself.” Used when the importance of “I” needs to be particularly expressed. 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 oneself” - “ware wo wasurete.”

[Speaker's name or position] - Used by or when communicating with children, usually within the family. Let's say a girl named Atsuko might say "Atsuko is thirsty." Or her older brother, addressing her, may say, “Brother will bring you juice.” There is an element of “lisping” in this, but such treatment is quite acceptable.

Group meaning “We”

Watashi-tachi - Polite option.

Ware-ware - Very polite, formal option.

Bokura - Impolite option.

Touhou - Regular option.

Group with the meaning “You/You”:

Anata - General polite option. It is also common for a wife to address her husband (“dear”).

Anta - Less polite option. Typically used by young people. A slight hint of disrespect.

Otaku - Literally translated as "Your home." A very polite and rare form. Due to the ironic use by Japanese informals in relation to each other, the second meaning was fixed - “feng, crazy.”

Kimi - Polite option, often between friends. Used in poetry.

Kijou - “Mistress”. A very polite form of addressing a lady.

Onushi - “Insignificant.” An outdated form of polite speech.

Omae - Familiar (when addressing an enemy - offensive) option. Usually used by men in relation to a socially younger person (father to daughter, say).

Temae/Temee (Temae/Temee) - Insulting male version. Usually in relation to the enemy. Something like “bastard” or “bastard.”

Honore (Onore) - Insulting option.

Kisama - A very offensive option. Translated with dots. ^_^ Oddly enough, it literally translates as “noble master.”

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 - surname) 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 their first name (due to the inconsistency described above).

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

Ancient names and surnames

Before the Meiji Restoration, only aristocrats (kuge) and samurai (bushi) had surnames. The rest of the Japanese population 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 of inheritance. In those 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 aristocratic surnames has practically not increased since ancient times. Many of them went back to the priestly past of the Japanese aristocracy.

The most respected 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 family, regents (sessho) and chancellors (kampaku) of Japan were appointed, and from among the women, wives for the emperors were chosen.

The next most important clans were the Hirohata, Daigo, Kuga, Oimikado, Saionji, Sanjo, Imaidegawa, Tokudaji and Kaoin clans. From among them, the highest state dignitaries were appointed.

Thus, representatives of the Saionji clan served as imperial grooms (meryo no gogen). Next came all the other aristocratic clans.

The hierarchy of nobility of aristocratic families began to take shape in the 6th century and lasted until the end of the 11th century, when power in the country passed to the samurai. Among them, the clans Genji (Minamoto), Heike (Taira), Hojo, Ashikaga, Tokugawa, Matsudaira, Hosokawa, Shimazu, Oda enjoyed special respect. A number of their representatives at different times were shoguns (military rulers) of Japan.

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

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

Upon entering the period of adolescence, the samurai chose a different name for himself than the one given to him at birth. Sometimes samurai changed their names throughout adult life, for example, to emphasize the onset of a new period (promotion or moving to another duty station). The master had the right to rename his vassal. In cases of serious illness, the name was sometimes changed to that of Amida Buddha to appeal to his mercy.

According to the rules of samurai duels, before the fight, the samurai had to say 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 often than in novels and chronicles.

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

The suffix “-gozen” was used for the names of samurai wives. They were often called simply by their husband's surname and rank. 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 people were given surnames. Naturally, most of them were associated with various signs peasant life, especially with rice and its processing. These surnames, like the surnames of the upper class, were also usually made up of two kanji.

The most common Japanese surnames now are Suzuki, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Watanabe, Saito, Sato, Sasaki, Kudo, Takahashi, Kobayashi, Kato, Ito, Murakami, Oonishi, 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 are the suffixes "-ji" ("second son" and "-zō" ("third son").

Most Japanese female names end in “-ko” (“child” or “-mi” (“beauty”). Girls, as a rule, are given names associated with everything beautiful, pleasant and feminine. Unlike male names, female names names are usually written in hiragana rather than kanji.

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

According to a law passed during the time of Emperor Meiji, after marriage, husband and wife are legally required to adopt the same surname. In 98% of cases this is the husband's last name. For several years now, parliament has been discussing an amendment to the Civil Code allowing spouses to keep premarital surnames. However, so far she cannot 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 to be the embodiment of the spirit of the deceased and is used in funeral rites. Kaimyo and ihai are purchased from Buddhist monks - sometimes even before the 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 (Japanese 和語?) - native Japanese words and kango (Japanese 漢語?) - borrowed from China. Names are also divided into these types, although they are now actively expanding new type- gairaigo (Japanese 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 on surnames is approximately 80% to 20%.

The most common surnames in Japan:

Sato (Japanese: 佐藤 Sato:?)

Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木?)

Takahashi (Japanese: 高橋?)

Tanaka (Japanese: 田中?)

Watanabe (Japanese: 渡辺?)

Ito (Japanese: 伊藤 Ito:?)

Yamamoto (Japanese: 山本?)

Nakamura (Japanese: 中村?)

Ohayashi (Japanese: 小林?)

Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林?) (different surnames, but spelled the same and have approximately the same distribution)

Kato (Japanese: 加藤 Kato:?)

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

Examples of such surnames: Kubo (Japanese 久保?) - from Japanese. kubo (Japanese 窪?) - hole; Sasaki (Japanese 佐々木?) - from the ancient Japanese sasa - small; Abe (Japanese 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 character 木 (“tree”) is read in kun as ki, but in names it can also be read as ko; The character 上 (“up”) can be read in kun as either ue or kami. There are two different surnames, Uemura and Kamimura, which are written the same - 上村. In addition, there are dropouts and fusions of sounds at the junction of components, for example, in the surname Atsumi (Japanese 渥美?), the components individually are read as atsui and umi; and the surname 金成 (kana + nari) is often read simply as Kanari.

When combining hieroglyphs, it is typical to alternate the endings of the first component A/E and O/A - for example, 金 kane - Kanagawa (Japanese 金川?), 白 shiro - Shiraoka (Japanese 白岡?). In addition, the initial syllables of the second component often become voiced, for example 山田 Yamada (yama + ta), 宮崎 Miyazaki (miya + saki). Also, surnames often contain the remainder of the case indicator but or ha (in ancient times it was customary to place them between the first and last names). Usually this indicator is not written, but is read - for example, 一宮 Ichinomiya (ichi + miya);

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

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

The majority of Japanese surnames consisting of two components are reported as 60-70%. Of these, the majority 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 (Japanese 松本?) - consists of the nouns matsu “pine” and moto “root” used in the language; Kiyomizu (Japanese: 清水?) - consists of the adjective stem 清い kiyoi - “pure” and the noun 水 mizu - “water”. Chinese two-part surnames are less numerous and usually have one single reading. Often Chinese surnames contain numbers from one to six (excluding four 四, since this number is read in the same way 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 as on, and the other as kun. Examples: Honda (Japanese 本田?), hon - “base” (on reading) + ta - “rice field” (kun reading); Betsumiya (Japanese 別宮?), betsu - “special, different” (on reading) + miya - “temple” (kun reading). Also, a very small part of surnames can be read both in onam and kun: 坂西 Banzai and Sakanishi, 宮内 Kunai and Miyauchi.

Three-component surnames often contain Japanese roots written phonetically. 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, ordinary three-component surnames consisting of three kun readings are also common. Examples: 矢田部 Yatabe, 小野木 Onoki. There are also three-component surnames with Chinese reading.

Four or more component surnames are very rare.

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

Origins of the formation of Japanese names

In Japan, the choice of name for a child is not limited in any way. It is influenced by traditions rooted in society and trends in modern word formation. You can come up with a new Japanese female name, or you can choose from existing ones. The limitation of choice can only be a lack of imagination. Japanese girl names usually consist of components that can be combined with others and get a completely different meaning. Usually names are written using Japanese characters. But the problem is that these names can be pronounced different ways. Therefore, their reading depends on who reads in what way.

The meaning of Japanese names for women

There are specialists at the service of especially picky parents who can come up with a unique name that has not yet existed. In fact, despite the extensive list of Japanese female names, they are almost never repeated. This is due to the fact that a prefix is ​​added to the name itself, indicating the genus to which the bearer of the name belongs.

The most beautiful Japanese female names contain the designation of some beautiful natural phenomenon, gemstone or plant (usually a flower). Also, Japanese names of girls and their meaning may contain a wish to be beautiful, kind and others positive qualities or simply happiness and good luck.

Beautiful Japanese names for girls, worn by heroines of popular animated series, historical chronicles, popular artists and politicians, are also becoming fashionable. Japanese female names in English are pronounced and written similarly to their pronunciation in Japanese, for example: Asuka, Chizu, Etsuko.

List of Japanese women's, girls' and girls' names

• Miko. Interpreted as "beautiful child of blessing."
• Sora. It has the semantic meaning of “sky”.
• Maine. The meaning is "true".
• Fuji. Translated into Russian as “wisteria”.
• Amy. Interpretation of the name "smile".
• Amaya. A lovely name that means "evening rain".
• Yoshiko. It has a Russian translation of “noble child”.
• Keori and Keoru. These Beautiful Japanese Girl Names Are Interpreted as "Fragrance"
• Sake. Interpreted as "cape".
• Cho. Means "butterfly".
• Tamiko. It has the semantic meaning of “child of abundance.”
• Secker. Interpreted as “cherry blossom”.
• Sengo. Means coral.
• Miyako. The word means "beautiful child in March."
• Momo. It is translated into Russian as “a hundred rivers” or another interpretation is “a hundred blessings”.
• Kin. Interpreted as “golden”.
• Cotoun. It has the semantic meaning of “the sound of a harp.”
• Ayaka. It is interpreted as “fragrant summer” or “colorful flower”.
• Ayam. The meaning of the name is "iris".
• Yumi. In Russian, “useful beauty.”
• Tomoko. Means "wise, friendly child."
• Naoki. Interpretation of the name “honest tree”.
• Nobuko. Interpreted as a “devoted child.”
• June. It means "obedient".
• Izumi. The semantic meaning of the word "fountain".
• Azumi. Translated into Russian it means “safe place of residence.”
• Ay. Interpreted as "love".
• Kiku. A lovely Japanese name that means "chrysanthemum".
• Maseko. The meaning of the name is “control the child.”
• May. Interpreted as "dance".
• Rico. Means "child of jasmine."
• Mika. In Russian, “first sound.”
• Yasuko. Interpreted as a “peaceful child.”
• Megumi. This Japanese girl's name means "blessed".
• Akemi. Interpretation of the name “bright beauty.”
• Kimiko. Translated, it means “ruling child” or “beautiful child of history.”
• Suzyum. In Russian "sparrow".
• Chic. Interpreted as "gentle deer".
• Kyoko. Translated into Russian as “pure child”.
• Kumiko. Translation: “long-lasting child.”
• Ran and Ren. These beautiful Japanese girl names translate to "water lily".
• Akira. Means "dawn".
• Katsumi. Interpreted as “victorious beauty.”
• Madoka. It has the translation "calm".
• Chi and Chica. These original Japanese girl names mean "wisdom".
• Mizuki. It has the semantic meaning of “beautiful moon”.
• Amaterezu. Translated into Russian, “bright in the heavens.”
• Meiko. Translated into Russian it means “child dance”.
• Sechiko. Translated as “happy child.”
• Hideko. Means "luxurious child".
• Yoko. Interpretation of the name "ocean child".
• Hoteru. It means “firefly” or lightning error.
• Miho. It has the semantic meaning of “beautiful bay”.
• Kam. This is a symbol of long life - “turtle”.
• Tomiko. Interpreted as “a child who preserved beauty.”
• Chiharu. Translated as “one thousand springs.”
• Neoko. Translation: "honest child".
• Keiko. The meaning is "respectful child".
• Toshiko. Translated as “priceless child.”
• Minori. Interpretation of the name "village of beautiful areas."
• Harumi. Interpretation of the name “beauty of springtime.”
• Natsumi. “Summer beauty” has a semantic meaning.
• Hiro. Interpreted as "widespread".