Women's names and surnames in Japanese. Japanese female names. Female names in Japanese

Japanese culture is unique, radically different from the rest of the world. In this article, we will list the most beautiful Japanese names and their meanings. Consider both male and female names. Also, consider the features and tips when choosing these names.

Today, Japanese names are at the peak of popularity in Russia, this is due, first of all, to the fashion for Japanese culture - cinema, music, animation and literature. With female names, not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. They are easy to read and write, according to local residents, but the Europeans categorically disagree with this. Therefore, in our list only the most beautiful and consonant options:

• Izumi is a fountain of happiness;
• Yoko is the child of the ocean;
• Yoshi - fragrant branch;
• Kaori - fabric fragrance;
• Kaoru - gentle smell;
• Kasumi - foggy morning;
• Katsumi - beauty wins;
• Kazue - a young branch;
• Kazuko - harmony;
• Kazumi - harmonious beauty;
• Kiku - chrysanthemum;
• Kin - gold;
• Kiyomi - immaculate beauty;
• Kohaku - amber;
• Kotone - sounds of a harp;
• Kou - happiness;
• Kumiko - beautiful child;

• Mayi - dance;
• Madoka - flower circle;
• Makoto - sincerity;
• Mana is love;
• Manami - affectionate beauty;
• Marie - beloved;
• Masami - luxurious beauty;
• Megumi - blessing;
• Misaki - blooming beauty;
• Michi - a long road;
• Midori - green;
• Minori - true;
• Mitsuko is a brilliant child;
• Mizuki is a beautiful moon;
• Miho is a beautiful bay;
• Michiko is an important child;
• Mommo - peach;
• Mommoko is the child of the peach;
• Moriko is a forest kid;
• Manami - the beauty of love;

• Nabuko is a devoted child;
• Naoki - obedient branch;
• Neo - honesty;
• Netsumi - summer beauty;
• Ran is a delicate orchid;
• Rika is the main fragrance;
• Riko - jasmine baby;
• Ren - water lily;

• Fumiko is the most beautiful baby;
• Hanako - flower child;
• Haru - spring, sun;
• Harumi - spring beauty;
• Hideko is a gorgeous kid;
• Hikaru - bright radiance;
• Hitomi - beautiful eyes;
• Hoshi is a star;
• Hotaru - firefly;

• Chi - wisdom;
• Chiharu - a thousand springs;
• Chow is a moth;
• Uzeji - rabbit;
• Shika - gentle deer;
• Shinju is a pearl;
• Eiko is a long-liver;
• Amy - blessed beauty;
• Etsuko is a cheerful child;
• Yuki - snow;
• Yumiko is a child of benefit;
• Yasu - calmness;
• Yayoi - dawn.

Even for specialists who are fluent in Japanese, it is extremely difficult to correctly read this or that female name. The desire to single out a child from the group, with the help of a name and make it unique, leads to the fact that parents begin to invent their own hieroglyphs, or write down and read traditional ones in an unusual way.

The Russian rating of girl names from the country of the Rising Sun is as follows. The top five, which has held steady for the past twenty years, has changed dramatically. Of the "old-timers", only Sakura And Misaki, of the completely new ones, which have never risen above tenth place, and today claim the championship, the following are called - Yui, Aoi, Rin And hina.

Despite the unusual pronunciation for the European ear, many Japanese names for girls have a completely understandable meaning. Some of them correspond to ethical categories loved in many countries. Separate names are translated as “love”, “tenderness” (Michi, Kiyoko), naming their daughters like that, parents are trying to “attract” these qualities, such a kind of message to the future.

For a long time, many names for girls were associated with the names of plants or animals. The most popular was and is the name Sakura (translated as "blooming Japanese cherry"). Also quite often there are names that can be translated as "chrysanthemum" (one of the Japanese favorite flowers), Aoi ("mallow").

The hieroglyphs associated with the world of fauna fade into the background, most likely, this process is associated with the development of a high-tech society, only the name meaning "crane" remains of interest. The tradition of naming girls by numerals, which was previously popular in rich families with many children, is becoming a thing of the past.

A little earlier, there was a surge of interest in names ending in "ko" - Yumiko, Asako, he was associated with unusual animated films in the "anime" genre. In fact, the ending of the name “ko” means a child; in relation to any name, it indicates that its bearer has not yet grown up, has not become an adult.

Male Japanese names

Male Japanese onomastics is even more complex than female, non-standard pronunciations are more common here, the use of various combinations of hieroglyphs. The most surprising thing is that the same graphic sign, used in various combinations, is read differently. We give the most readable names for Russians:

• Izamu is a brave warrior;
• Isao - merit;
• Isaneji - inviting to visit;
• Yoichi - the first son;
• Iori - dependent;
• Yoshao is a good friend;
• Yoshi - good;
• Yoshinori - nobility;
• Yoshiro is a good son;
• Yoshito is a lucky person;
• Yoshieki - fair glory;
• Yoshiyuki - fair happiness;
• Iuoo - stone man;
• Ichiro is the first son;

• Kayoshi - quiet;
• Ken is healthy and strong;
• Kenji is a smart ruler;
• Kenichi - the first builder, governor;
• Kenta - healthy, strong;
• Kenshin - modest and honest;
• Kiyoshi - pure, holy;
• Kyo - ginger;
• Kichiro is a lucky son;
• Koji - the son of the ruler;
• Koichi - bright
• Koheku - amber;
• Kunayo is a compatriot;
• Catsero - the son of the winner;
• Katsu - victory;

• Naoki is an honest tree;
• Noboru - rise;
• Nobu - faith;
• Nobuo is a devoted person;
• Neo - honest;

• Rio - excellent;
• Ryota - strong;
• Raiden - thunder and lightning;
• Ryuu is a dragon;
• Suzumu - progressive;
• Sebero - third son;
• Sezo - decisive;
• Setoru - enlightened;
• Setoshi - quick-witted;

• Teruo - bright person;
• Tetsuya - iron;
• Tomayo - keeper;
• Tooru is a wanderer;
• Toshayo is a man of anxiety, a genius;
• Toshieki - bright;
• Toshiyuki - happy;
• Tsuyoshi - strong;
• Tsutomu - worker;
• Takeo - warrior;
• Takehiko - soldier of the prince;
• Takeshi is a fierce warrior;
• Tekumi is an artisan;
• Takao is a noble person;
• Tetsuo - dragon man;

• Shigeru - plentiful;
• Shin - true;
• Shoji - shining;
• Shoichi - correct;
• Shuji is excellent;
• Shuichi - manager;

• Eiji - luxurious;
• Yuichi - brave;
• Yukayo is a happy person;
• Yuki - happiness, snow;
• Yutaka - prosperous;
• Yuu - superior;
• Yuudei is a great hero;
• Yuchi - brave, second;
• Yasuo is an honest, peaceful person;
• Yasuhiro - rich honesty.

The simplest boy names consist of one hieroglyph, they are formed from verbs and adjectives, they can indicate certain actions or characteristics (“high”, “wide”, “fragrant”).

More complex are two- and three-component names. In them, the first part may indicate gender (“man”, “boy”), role significance (“son”). The second part is the characteristics associated with the position or profession (“prince”, “assistant”).

We can give several recommendations to parents who dream of naming their own child with a Japanese name. The first tip is to think it over well, moms and dads should think not only about themselves, satisfying their own interests, but also about the child too. He will have to grow up, study and be educated in Russian society, where you will not always find a kind-hearted attitude towards a person with a familiar European name, not to mention a very exotic Japanese one.

Tip two - when choosing a Japanese name for your son, you should definitely check for compatibility with the surname and patronymic. How the life of the heir will turn out is a big question, he may have to work in the Russian team. In this case, the appeal to an adult will be appropriate - by name and patronymic. Therefore, we must try to find euphonious name, combined with both patronymic and surname.

Just imagine how difficult it will be for a child to live with a full name like: "Ivanov Yasuhiro Fedorovich."

The third tip is to check from the list what this or that name means, whether it has a negative, negative connotation, or the name is read positively in all positions.

A brief excursion into the theory of creating Japanese names

According to Japanese beliefs, the name should be rare, and therefore it is allowed to invent names for your own children on your own. There are signs with which names are written, changing the sequence of these signs or their spelling, the Japanese create new names, replenishing their already huge base.

The next rule does not apply to the field of education, but already addressing a person by name. The rule says that with the help of suffixes that are attached to the name of a person, you can express your attitude towards him. For example, the suffix "san" is a symbol of a neutral or respectful attitude towards the interlocutor. The suffix "tyan" is similar to diminutives in Russian. Such a prefix to the name can be used when communicating with children, close relatives or friends.

Personal names in Japan are the most difficult direction in Japanese. Women's names are no exception here. At first, reading the translations, it may seem that there is nothing complicated. In Japanese, the surname is pronounced first, and then the given name. In Russian, as in many Western languages, the first name is pronounced first, and only then the surname. But believe me - this is the smallest difficulty that you encounter when working with Japanese names. Although even such a trifle sometimes confuses people who are poorly familiar with Japanese culture.

In Japanese culture, and in particular personal names, over the past hundred years there have been cardinal changes. This also affected the spelling of names and their meaning. New hieroglyphs and signs for writing names were allowed. The last major change dates back to the nineties of the twentieth century. Then the Parliament of Japan amended the list of permitted characters for writing names. In principle, these signs are amended approximately every five years. But as they say, only a dead language does not change.

The change in attitude towards traditions is especially evident in the modern names of the Japanese. If earlier Japan was extremely traditional society, but now with each generation it is fading away. Names from Japanese comics - manga are very popular among modern Japanese names for girls. Manga is one of the Japanese cultural phenomena, comics covering a wide variety of topics for both children and adults. Manga, in fact, is not the usual children's comic, but rather serious literary and pictorial work. This cultural phenomenon is known and is already popular all over the world.

Another difficulty is the transliteration of Japanese names for girls. Transliteration of any language causes a lot of controversy, to say nothing of the language of the Land of the Rising Sun. Most often in Russian practice, the Polivanov system is used. It was introduced in the thirties of the twentieth century and since then has been an unofficially approved transliteration system from Japanese to Cyrillic.

Japanese girl names popular in 2009-2011

List of Japanese female names, their spelling and meaning.

Here is a list of female Japanese names compiled by our editors. Of course, these are not all possible female Japanese names, but according to statistics, these are the most popular. Japanese names are the most complex part of the Japanese language and therefore there are so many discrepancies in their translations. Enjoy watching.

Japanese female names

Even in ancient times, the meanings of Japanese female names were determined. All female Japanese names, in most cases, are easy to read in kun, and they also sound clear in pronunciation and have a clear meaning. Girls of noble blood in their name acquired the component "hime", in other words, "princess".

But there were a lot of aristocratic girls, but there were very few real princesses. Therefore, the word "hime" became a little larger and also meant the presence of blue blood. It also happened that a nun became the owner of blue blood, so another particle “in” was automatically added to her name. This also applied to the male half of humanity.
But the “gozen” component was added to those women who were the wives of the samurai. But in everyday life, a name with such a component was practically not used. Most often, the wife of a samurai was called by his rank or surname.
Most Japanese female names end in "mi" for beauty or "ko" for child. For example, Minami, Yoshiko, Yuko, Yoko, Fujiko. But today, modern Japanese women are not satisfied with the soft and feminine words that are present in the name. And this is not at all surprising, because technological progress requires rigidity from women, which is not found in soft, feminine and playful names. That is why women, especially if they are business women, remove these particles in order to make their name sound more concise. Thus, they create an image of modernity for themselves.

The meaning of Japanese female names.

Azumi - protecting from danger;
Azemi - a flower of a tartar, prickly burdock;
Ai - love;
Ayano - the color of silk fabric;
Akemi is a radiant, sparkling beauty;
Aki - extraordinary, brilliant, flashy;
Akiko is a wise, reasonable girl;
Akira - clear and bright sunrise;
Akane (old Japanese) - shining, scarlet;
Amaterezu - shining in the sky;
Amaya - evening rain;
Aoi - the color of a clear sky;
Arizu - highly moral, generous, noble;
Asuka - a pleasant smell, fragrance;
Asemi - beauty that occurs in the morning;
Atsuko - hard-working, heated, hot;
Aya - colorful, bright, expressive color of silk material;
Ayaka - a pleasantly smelling summer, a characteristic flower;
Ayako is a theoretical kid;
Ayam - the shell of the rainbow;
Banquo is a well-read and educated child;
Janko is a pure, chaste, innocent kid;
June - submissive;
Zhina - brilliant gray color;
Izumi - fountain;
Izenami - a calling, alluring woman;
Yoko - unbending, persistent, sea woman;
Yoshi - a pleasantly smelling branch, a beautiful estuary;
Yoshiko - fragrant, fragrant, highly moral, interesting;
Yoshshi - pretty;
Kam - to live for a long time;
Kayao - growing generation, charming;
Keiko is a prosperous, contented child, polite;
Kay is a polite girl;
Kyoko is a neat and tidy kid;
Kiku - chrysanthemum;
Kimi - a shortening of long names that begin with "Kimi ...";
Kimiko is a historically beautiful baby, a precious, beloved, sweet baby;
Kin is a golden girl;
Kyoko is the baby of the Motherland;
Kotoun - a sound from a multi-stringed plucked harp instrument;
Koheku - lemon, honey, orange;
Kumiko is a long-lived baby;
Kaed - maple;
Kezu - prosperous, happy, joyful, branch, harmonious;
Kazuko is a child full of harmony;
Kazumi is a harmonious beauty;
Kemeio is a long-liver;
Kemeko - a turtle - a long-living woman;
Keori - pleasant smell;
Keoru - good smelling;
Katsumi is a stunning beauty;
Marie is a beloved girl;
Megumi - worthy, fertile;
Miwa - harmonious, beautiful;
Midori - green color;
Mizuki is a beautiful moon;
Mizeki is a beautiful flower;
Miyoko is a child of the third generation, a beautiful baby;
Mika - fragrant, beautiful;
Miki - three beautiful trees standing side by side;
Miko is a happy child;
Minori is a beautiful village and harbor;
Mineko is a treasure;
Mitsuko is a round child who was born into a blessed family;
Miho is a beautiful bay;
Michi - path, path;
Michiko - following the right path, a thousand times more beautiful than other children;
Miyuki - happy, beautiful;
Miyako - the March baby will be very beautiful;
Mommo - peach;
Momo - many rivers and blessings;
Momoko - baby peach;
Moriko is a child of the forest;
Madoka - peaceful, serene, motionless maiden;
Mezumi - crowned with beauty, true innocence, virginity;
Mazeko is a controlled and obedient child;
Mathemy is a graceful, beautiful woman;
Mei - dancing;
Meiko - dancing child;
Mayumi - truly beautiful, submissive;
Mackie is a genuine, genuine record;
Maina - correct, true, undoubted;
Manami - beautiful love;
Mariko - right baby;
Mesa - abbreviation of long names that begin with "Mesa ...";
Nana is the seventh;
Naoki - sincere, faithful, direct;
Naomi is beautiful
Nobuko is a faithful kid;
Nori is short for a long name.
Noriko is a child of a postulate, a doctrine;
Neo - sincere, faithful, worthy;
Neoko - direct, fair;
Netsuko is a child of summer;
Netsumi - the beauty of summer;
Ran - water lily;
Reiko - amiable, respectful, beautiful;
Rei is a well-bred girl;
Ren - egg capsule;
Rika - a fragrant, peculiar smell;
Riko - baby jasmine;
Ryoko is a kind, pretty, handsome kid;
Sake - peninsula, ledge;
Setsuko is a modest, simple, unpretentious woman;
Sora - heavenly;
Suzu - voiced;
Susumu - developing, moving forward;
Suzyum is a sparrow;
Sumiko - innocent, virgin, bright, understandable, obvious;
Sayeri - a small yellow water lily;
Sakera - cherry sunrise;
Sekiko - an early, blooming baby;
Sengo - the skeleton of marine animals;
Sechiko - pleasing others;
Teruko is a bright child;
Tomiko - preserving beauty;
Tomoko - benevolent, friendly, wise;
Toshi - emergency;
Toshiko is valuable and long-awaited child;
Tsukiko is the child of the moon;
Tekeko - highly moral, aristocratic, noble;
Tekera - jewel, treasure;
Tamiko - plentiful, generous;
Uzeji - rabbit;
Umeko - plum blossom;
Ume-elv - plum flowers;
Fuji is a tree-like climbing subtropical plant;
Fumiko - preserving beauty;
Hideko - chic, gorgeous;
Hizeko - living for a long time;
Hikeri - radiant, brilliant;
Hikeru - outstanding, extraordinary, bright;
Hiro - common;
Hiroko - abundant, generous, rich;
Hiromi - having beautiful external data;
Hitomi - this name is given to those girls who have beautiful eyes;
Hoteru - lightning bug, firefly;
Hoshi - heavenly star;
Hena is a favorite;
Heneko is a quitter;
Heruka - far away;
Heruki - spring tree;
Heruko is a spring child;
Harumi is a beautiful springtime;
Chi - complex, intricate, blessed;
Chiyo - many generations;
Chiyoko is a child of many generations;
Chica - folk wisdom;
Chico - blessed, intricate;
Chikeko - baby of wisdom;
Chinatsu - one 1000 years old;
Chiheru - 1000 springs in a row;
Chiesa - morning child;
Cho - butterfly;
Shayori - a mark that accompanies;
Shig - this is the short name for women whose name begins with "Shij ...";
Shigeko - numerous, rich, generous;
Shizuka - modest, silent, quiet, calm, unhurried;
Shizuko - pacify the baby;
Shika - affectionate deer;
Shinju - pearl;
Eiko - magnificent, chic, durable;
Eika - a song about love;
Eiko is a child born in love;
Aimee is a beautiful youth;
Eyumi - promenade, movement;
Amy - joyful facial expressions;
Emiko is a child who smiles;
Eri - satisfied;
Etsuko - joy;
Yuka is a fragrant, friendly child;
Yuki - snowy happiness;
Yukiko is a joyful, contented, snow child;
Yuko - suitable, beneficial; excellent;
Yumi - friendly, helpful;
Yumiko - beautiful, suitable, necessary;
Yuri - yellow water lily;
Yuriko is a baby egg, a priceless baby;
Yayoi - spring;
Yasu - peaceful, calm, restrained, quiet, humble;
Yasuko - sincere, fair, worthy;

Japanese female names are divided into several types at once, it all depends on which component name. There are names that denote an abstract meaning. In Japanese female names, the components most often used are "ma" - "truth", "ai" - "love", "yu" - "affection, sentimentality", "ti" - "smart", "an" - "order, serenity". ”, “mi” - “magnificence”. The owners of such names in the future want to have such qualities, this can be achieved thanks to just such components. No less common Japanese female names with plant or animal components. Previously, very often girls were given a name with an animal component associated with a four-legged animal, for example, deer, tiger, lion. Such names brought health to its owner. Today at modern world, such names are not called, because they have already gone out of fashion, which is why they began to use other names. An exception is the crane component. Today, names with plant meanings are popular in Japan. For example, hana - "flower", take - "bamboo", ine - "risk", yanagi - "willow", kiku - "chrysanthemum", momo - "peach", etc.

Japanese female names have quite a few different origins. Some of the names were borrowed from other countries. That is why you can meet women in Japan who have foreign names. For example: Scandinavian (Bianca, Donna, Mia…), Aramaic (Bartholomew, Martha, Thomas…), Muslim (Amber, Ali, Mohammed…), French (Alison, Bruce, Olivia…), English (Brian, Dylan, Kermit, Tara…), Persian (Esther, Jasmine, Roxanne…), Latin (Cordelia, Diana, Patrick, Victoria…), Greek (Angel, Christopher, George, Selina…), Italian (Brenda, Dustin, Eric…), Hebrew( Adam, David, John, Michelle…), German (Charles, Leonard, Richard, William…), Spanish (Dolores, Linda, Rio…), Slavic (Boris, Nadia, Vera…), Indian (Beryl, Opal, Uma… ) and others.

Similar content

The Japanese given name (Japanese 人名 jinmei) these days usually consists of generic name(surname), followed by a personal name.

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

Modern Japanese names can be compared to names in many other cultures. All Japanese have a single surname and single name no patronymic, except for the Japanese imperial family, whose members do not have a surname. Girls who marry princes also lose their last names.

In Japan, the surname comes first, and then the given name. At the same time, in Western languages ​​(often in Russian), Japanese names are written in reverse order name - surname - according to European tradition. For convenience, the Japanese sometimes write their last name in CAPITAL letters so that it is not confused with the given name.

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 complex elements Japanese.

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 "Japanese") - native Japanese words and kango (Japanese 漢語 sinism) - 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 vast majority of surnames in Japanese consist of two characters, surnames of one or three characters are less common, and four or more digit surnames are very rare.

Male names are the most difficult part of Japanese proper names to read, it is in male names that non-standard readings of nanori and rare readings are very common, strange changes in some components, although there are also easy-to-read names. For example, the names Kaworu (薫), Shigekazu (薫), and Kungoro: (薫五郎) all use the same character 薫 ("flavor"), but in each name it is read differently; and the common main component of yoshi names can be written in 104 different characters and their combinations. Sometimes reading is not at all connected with written hieroglyphs, so it happens that only its bearer himself can read the name correctly.

Japanese female names, unlike male ones, in most cases have a simple kun reading and a clear and understandable meaning. Most female names are composed according to the “main component + indicator” scheme, however, there are names without an indicative component. Sometimes female names can be written entirely in hiragana or katakana. Also, sometimes, there are names with on-reading, and also only in female names there are new non-Chinese borrowings (gairaigo).

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 honored 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 clans of Hirohata, Daigo, Kuga, Oimikado, Saionji, Sanjō, Imaidegawa, Tokudaiji, and Kaoin were next in nobility. 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 6th century and lasted until the end of the 11th century, when the 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 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 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 of peasant life, especially with rice and its processing. These surnames, like those of the upper class, were also usually composed of two kanji.

Most common now Japanese surnames- 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 " serial number» 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, 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 ending "-ko" 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.

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.

Japanese surnames and their meaning

Abe - 阿部 - corner, shadow; sector
Akiyama - 秋山 - autumn + mountain
Ando: - 安藤 - calm + wisteria
Aoki - 青木 - green, young + tree
Arai - 新井 - new well
Arai - 荒井 - wild well
Araki - 荒木 - wild + tree
Asano - 浅野／淺野 - small + [uncultivated] field; plain
Baba - 馬場 - horse + seat
Wada - 和田 - harmony + rice field
Watanabe - 渡辺／渡邊 - to cross + surroundings
Watanabe - 渡部 - to cross + part; sector;
Goto: - 後藤 - behind, future + wisteria
Yokota - 横田 - side + rice field
Yokoyama - 横山 - side, side of the mountain
Yoshida - 吉田 - happiness + rice field
Yoshikawa - 吉川 - happiness + river
Yoshimura - 吉村 - happiness + village
Yoshioka - 吉岡 - happiness + hill
Iwamoto - 岩本 - rock + base
Iwasaki - 岩崎 - rock + cape
Iwata - 岩田 - rock + rice field
Igarashi - 五十嵐 - 50 storms
Iendo: - 遠藤 - distant + wisteria
Iida - 飯田 - boiled rice, food + rice field
Ikeda - 池田 - pond + rice field
Imai - 今井 - now + well
Inoe - 井上 - well + top
Ishibashi - 石橋 - stone + bridge
Ishida - 石田 - stone + rice field
Ishii - 石井 - stone + well
Ishikawa - 石川 - stone + river
Ishihara - 石原 - stone + plain, field; steppe
Ichikawa - 市川 - city + river
Ito - 伊東 - that, he + east
Ito: - 伊藤 - I + wisteria
Kawaguchi - 川口 - river + mouth, entrance
Kawakami - 川上 - river + top
Kawamura - 川村 - river + village
Kawasaki - 川崎 - river + cape
Kamata - 鎌田 - sickle, scythe + rice field
Kaneko - 金子 - gold + child
Katayama - 片山 - piece + mountain
Kato: - 加藤 - add + wisteria
Kikuchi - 菊地 - chrysanthemum + earth
Kikuchi - 菊池 - chrysanthemum + pond
Kimura - 木村 - tree + village
Kinoshita - 木下 - tree + under, bottom
Kitamura - 北村 - north + village
Ko:no - 河野 - river + [uncultivated] field; plain
Kobayashi - 小林 - small forest
Kojima - 小島 - small + island
Koike - 小池 - small + pond
Komatsu - 小松 - small pine tree
Kondo - 近藤 - close + wisteria
Konishi - 小西 - small + west
Koyama - 小山 - small mountain
Kubo - 久保 - long + maintain
Kubota - 久保田 - long + maintain + rice field
Kudo: - 工藤 - worker + wisteria
Kumagai - 熊谷 - bear + valley
Kurihara - 栗原 - chestnut + plain, field; steppe
Kuroda - 黒田 - black rice field
Maruyama - 丸山 - round + mountain
Masuda - 増田 - increase + rice field
Matsubara - 松原 - pine + plain, field; steppe
Matsuda - 松田 - pine + rice field
Matsui - 松井 - pine + well
Matsumoto - 松本 - pine + base
Matsumura - 松村 - pine + village
Matsuo - 松尾 - pine + tail
Matsuoka - 松岡 - pine + hill
Matsushita - 松下 - pine + under, bottom
Matsuura - 松浦 - pine + bay
Maeda - 前田 - behind + rice field
Mizuno - 水野 - water + [uncultivated] field; plain
Minami - 南 - south
Miura - 三浦 - three bays
Miyazaki - 宮崎 - temple, palace + cape
Miyake - 三宅 - three houses
Miyamoto - 宮本 - temple, palace + base
Miyata - 宮田 - temple, palace + rice field
Mori - 森 - forest
Morimoto - 森本 - forest + base
Morita - 森田 - forest + rice field
Mochizuki - 望月 - full moon
Murakami - 村上 - village + top
Murata - 村田 - village + rice field
Nagai - 永井 - eternal well
Nagata - 永田 - eternal rice field
Naito - 内藤 - inside + wisteria
Nakagawa - 中川 - middle + river
Nakajima／Nakashima - 中島 - middle + island
Nakamura - 中村 - middle + village
Nakanishi - 中西 - west + middle
Nakano - 中野 - middle + [uncultivated] field; plain
Nakata／ Nakada - 中田 - middle + rice field
Nakayama - 中山 - middle + mountain
Narita - 成田 - to form + rice field
Nishida - 西田 - west + rice field
Nishikawa - 西川 - west + river
Nishimura - 西村 - west + village
Nishiyama - 西山 - west + mountain
Noguchi - 野口 - [uncultivated] field; plain + mouth, entrance
Noda - 野田 - [uncultivated] field; plain + rice field
Nomura - 野村 - [uncultivated] field; plain + village
Ogawa - 小川 - small river
Oda - 小田 - small rice field
Ozawa - 小沢／小澤 - small swamp
Ozaki - 尾崎 - tail + cape
Oka - 岡 - hill
Okada - 岡田 - hill + rice field
Okazaki - 岡崎 - hill + cape
Okamoto - 岡本 - hill + base
Okumura - 奥村 - deep (hidden) + village
It - 小野 - small + [uncultivated] field; plain
Ooishi - 大石 - big stone
Ookubo - 大久保 - big + long + support
Oomori - 大森 - big forest
Oonishi - 大西 - big west
Oono - 大野 - large + [uncultivated] field; plain
Oosawa - 大沢／大澤 - big swamp
Ooshima - 大島 - big island
Oota - 太田 - large + rice field
Ootani - 大谷 - big valley
Oohashi - 大橋 - big bridge
Ootsuka - 大塚 - big + hill
Sawada - 沢田／澤田 - swamp + rice field
Saito: - 斉藤／齊藤 - equal + wisteria
Saito: - 斎藤／齋藤 - purification (religious) + wisteria
Sakai - 酒井 - alcohol + well
Sakamoto - 坂本 - slope + base
Sakurai - 桜井／櫻井 - sakura + well
Sano - 佐野 - assistant + [uncultivated] field; plain
Sasaki - 佐々木 - assistants + tree
Sato: - 佐藤 - helper + wisteria
Shibata - 柴田 - brushwood + rice field
Shimada - 島田 - island + rice field
Shimizu - 清水 - pure water
Shinohara - 篠原 - undersized bamboo + plain, field; steppe
Sugawara - 菅原 - sedge + plain, field; steppe
Sugimoto - 杉本 - Japanese cedar + roots
Sugiyama - 杉山 - Japanese cedar + mountain
Suzuki - 鈴木 - bell (bell) + wood
Suto / Sudo - 須藤 - by all means + wisteria
Seki - 関／關 - Outpost; barrier
Taguchi - 田口 - rice floor + mouth
Takagi - 高木 - tall tree
Takada／Takata - 高田 - tall + rice field
Takano - 高野 - high + [uncultivated] field; plain
Takahashi - 高橋 - tall + bridge
Takayama - 高山 - high mountain
Takeda - 武田 - military + rice field
Takeuchi - 竹内 - bamboo + inside
Tamura - 田村 - rice field + village
Tanabe - 田辺／田邊 - rice field + neighborhood
Tanaka - 田中 - rice field + middle
Taniguchi - 谷口 - valley + mouth, entrance
Chiba - 千葉 - a thousand leaves
Uchida - 内田 - inside + rice field
Uchiyama - 内山 - inside + mountain
Ueda/Ueta - 上田 - top + rice field
Ueno - 上野 - top + [uncultivated] field; plain
Fujiwara - 藤原 - wisteria + plain, field; steppe
Fujii - 藤井 - wisteria + well
Fujimoto - 藤本 - wisteria + base
Fujita - 藤田 - wisteria + rice field
Fukuda - 福田 - happiness, prosperity + rice field
Fukui - 福井 - happiness, prosperity + well
Fukushima - 福島 - happiness, prosperity + island
Furukawa - 古川 - old river
Hagiwara - 萩原 - bicolor lespedeza + plain, field; steppe
Hamada - 浜田／濱田 - shore + rice field
Hara - 原 - plain, field; steppe
Harada - 原田 - plain, field; steppe + rice field
Hashimoto - 橋本 - bridge + base
Hasegawa - 長谷川 - long + valley + river
Hattori - 服部 - clothes, subordinate + part; sector;
Hayakawa - 早川 - early + river
Hayashi - 林 - forest
Higuchi - 樋口 - gutter; drain + mouth, input
Hirai - 平井 - level well
Hirano - 平野 - flat + [uncultivated] field; plain
Hirata - 平田 - flat + rice field
Hirose - 広瀬／廣瀬 - wide fast current
Homma - 本間 - base + gap, room, luck
Honda - 本田 - base + rice field
Hori - 堀 - channel
Hoshino - 星野 - star + [uncultivated] field; plain
Tsuji - 辻 - street
Tsuchiya - 土屋 - land + house
Yamaguchi - 山口 - mountain + mouth, entrance
Yamada - 山田 - mountain + rice field
Yamazaki／ Yamasaki - 山崎 - mountain + cape
Yamamoto - 山本 - mountain + base
Yamanaka - 山中 - mountain + middle
Yamashita - 山下 - mountain + under, bottom
Yamauchi - 山内 - mountain + inside
Yano - 矢野 - arrow + [uncultivated] field; plain
Yasuda - 安田 - calm + rice field.

Japanese female names, unlike male ones, in most cases have a simple reading and a clear, understandable meaning. Most female names are composed according to the “main component + indicator” scheme, however, there are names without an indicative component.

Sometimes female Japanese names can be written in full or . Also, sometimes there are names with on reading, and also only in female names there are new non-Chinese borrowings (). In female Japanese names consisting of two or more characters, there is usually a component at the end of the name that indicates that this name is precisely female. As well as in male names, the component often determines how the whole name is read - according to she or by kuna.

List of Japanese female names in translation

Azumi- safe place to live
Azami- thistle flower
Ai- Love
Ayano- silk colors
Akemi- bright beauty
Aki- autumn, bright
Akiko — autumn baby or smart kid
Akira- bright, clear, dawn
Akane- old Japanese female name - shiny, red
Amaterazu- bright in the sky
Amea- evening rain
Aoi- blue
Arizou- noble look
Asuka- aroma
Asemi- female morning beauty
Atsuko- hardworking, warm child
And I- colorful or woven silk
Ayaka- colorful flower, fragrant summer
Ayako- academic kid
Ayam- Iris
Banquo- literary child
Janko- pure child
June- obedient
Zhina- silver
Izumi- fountain
Izanami- a woman who invites
Yoko— ocean baby, confident baby
Yoshi- fragrant branch, good bay
Yoshiko fragrant, good, noble child
Yoshshi- good
Kam
Kayao- beautiful generation, increase generation
Keiko happy, respectful child
Kay- respectful girl
kyoko- pure child
Kiku- chrysanthemum
Kimi- abbreviation for names beginning with "Kimi"
Kimiko— beautiful child of history, dear child, ruling child
kin- golden woman
kyoko- child of the capital
catown- harp sound
Koheku- amber
Kumiko- a beautiful, long-lived child
Caed– maple
Kazu- branch, first blessed, harmonious
Kazuko- harmonious child
Kazumi- harmonious beauty
Cameio- turtle (symbol of long life)
Cameko- turtle (symbol of long life)
Keori- aroma
Keoru- aroma
Katsumi- triumphant beauty
Marie- beloved woman
Megumi- blessed
Miwa- beautiful harmony, three rings
Midori- green
Mizuki- beautiful moon
Mizeki- beauty flower
Miyoko- beautiful child of the generation, third child of the generation
Mika- nice fragrance
Miki — beautiful tree, three trees
Miko- beautiful blessing baby
Minori- beautiful harbor, village of beautiful areas
mineco- beautiful child
Mitsuko — complete baby(blessings), bright child
Miho- beautiful bay
Michi- trail
Michiko- the child is on the right track, a thousand beauties of the child
Miyuki- beautiful happiness
Miyako— beautiful baby in March
Mommo- peach
Momo- a hundred blessings, a hundred rivers
Momoko- baby peach
Moriko- forest child
Madoka- calm girl
Mezumi- increased beauty, true purity
Mazeko- control the child
Mathemy- correct, graceful beauty
May- dance
Meiko- child's dance
Mayumi- true bow, true absorbed beauty
maki- true report, tree
Maine- true
Manami- the beauty of love
Mariko — true reason child
Mesa
Nana- seventh
Naoki- honest tree
Naomi- beauty first
Nobuko- devoted child
Nori
Noriko- child of principles
Neo- honest
Neoko- honest child
netsuko- summer baby
Netsumi- summer beauty
Ran- water lily
Reiko- beautiful, courteous child
Ray- polite woman
Ren- water lily
rica- rated flavor
Rico- baby jasmine
rioko- good child
Sake- cape
Setsuko- temperate child
Sora- sky
Suzu- call
Susumu- progressive
Suzyum- sparrow
Sumiko clear, thinking child, pure child
Sayeri- small lily
Sacker- cherry blossom
Sekiko- blooming child, earlier child
Sengo– coral
Sechiko- happy child
Teruko- bright child
Tomiko- a child who kept beauty
Tomoko- friendly, wise child
Toshi- emergency
Toshiko- a child of many years, a priceless child
Tsukiko- moon child
Tekeko- a tall, noble child
Thacker- treasure
Tamiko- a child of abundance
Uzaji- rabbit
Umeko- plum blossom baby
Ume-elf- plum blossom
fuji– wisteria
Fumiko- a child who kept beauty
Hideko- gorgeous baby
Hizeko- durable baby
hickary- light or shining
hikeru- light or bright
Hiro- widespread
Hiroko- generous child
Hiromi- widespread beauty
Hitomi- the name is usually given to girls with especially beautiful eyes
Hoteru— firefly, lightning bug
Hoshi- star
Hena- favorite or flower
Haneko- loafer
Heruka- far
Heruki- springtime tree
Heruko- springtime baby
Harumi- springtime beauty
Chi- wisdom, a thousand blessings
Chiio- a thousand generations
Chiyoko a child of a thousand generations
Chica- wisdom
Chico- wise child, a thousand blessings child
Chikako- child of wisdom
Chinatsu- a thousand years
Chiheru- one thousand springs
Chiesa morning repeated a thousand times
Cho- butterfly
Shayori— bookmark, guide
shig
Shigeko- rich child
Shizuka- quiet girl
Shizuko- soothe the child
Shika- gentle deer
Shinju– pearl
Eiko long-lived child, luxurious child
Eika- love song
Eiko- beloved child, child of love
Aimee- the beauty of love
Eyumi- walk
Amy- smile
Emiko- smiling child
Erie- lucky prize
Etsuko- joyful child
Yuka fragrant, friendly bloom
Yuki happiness, snow
Yukiko– snow child or happy child
Yuko useful, superior child
Yumi bow, useful beauty
Yumiko- a beautiful, useful child
Yuri- lily
Yuriko— lily's baby, dear baby
Yayoi- spring
Yasu- calm girl
Yasuko- an honest child, a peaceful child

Japanese female names

Popular Japanese male names are presented here in Russian. These are modern beautiful Japanese boy names that are currently used by the Japanese population.

Male Japanese names are the most difficult part of Japanese writing to read, it is in male Japanese names that non-standard readings are very common. nanori and rare reads, strange changes to some components. Although there are also easy-to-read names.

For example, the names Kaworu, Shigekazu, and Kungoro all use the same character for "aroma", but each name reads it differently. A common component of names yoshi can be written in 104 different characters and their combinations. Often reading Japanese male name it is not at all connected with the written hieroglyphs of names, therefore it happens that only the carrier himself can read the name correctly.

List of Japanese male names in translation

Akayo- clever man
Aki- autumn, bright
Akira- bright, clear, dawn
Akihiko- shining prince
Akihiro smart, savvy, bright
areta- new
Atsushi- cordial, hardworking
Goro- fifth son
Jero- tenth son
Giro- second son
June- obedient
Junichi- obedient, purity, first
Dykes- of great value
Daisuke- great helper
Daichi- great first son or big earth
Izamu- brave man, warrior
Isao- honor, merit
Isanagi- the man who invites
Yoichi- male, first (son)
Iori- addiction
Yoshayo- good man
Yoshi- good
Yoshikezu- good and harmonious, fair, first (son)
Yoshinori- noble dignity, fair principles
Yoshiro- good son
Yoshito- a good, lucky person
Yoshihiro- widespread perfection
Yoshieki- fair fame, bright luck
Yoshiyuki- righteous happiness
Iwoo- stone man
Ichiro- first boy son
Kayoshi- quiet
Keiji- respectful, second (son)
Keiichi- respectful, first (son)
Ken- healthy and strong
kenji- intelligent ruler
Kenichi- the first builder, governor
Kent- healthy, strong
Kenshin- humble truth
Kero- ninth son
Kiyoshi- pure, holy
Kyo- endorsements, ginger, or larger
Kichiro- lucky son
Koji- filial ruler, happy, second (son)
Koichi- bright, widespread, first (son)
Koheku- amber
Kunayo— compatriot
Kazuki- the beginning of a new generation, a pleasant world, or radiance
Kazuo- harmonious person
Kazuhiko- the first, harmonious prince
Kazuhiro- harmony, widespread
Katashi- hardness
Catsero- victorious son
Katsu- victory
Ketsuo- winning child
Makoto- true man
Masashi- correct, luxurious official
Mikayo- tree trunk man
Minori- a beautiful harbor, a village of beautiful people
Minoru- fruitful
Mitseru- full height
Mitsuo- bright man, third man (son)
Michio a person on the (correct) path
Michi- trail
Madoka- calm
Masuio- magnifying world
Mazeki- correct report, graceful tree
Masanori- correct principles, prosperous government
Matheo- fix the person
Mazaru- intellectual, victorious
Mazeto- correct, graceful person
Mazehiko- fix prince
Mezehiro- drive wide
Matheaki- correct brightness
Memoru- protect
Manebu- diligent
Mesa- abbreviation for names beginning with "Maes"
Meseyoshi- steward fairly, bright perfection
Maseyuki- proper happiness
Naoki- honest tree
Noboru- rise, rise, virtuous
Nobu- faith
Nobuo- dedicated person
Nobuyuki- devoted happiness
norio- man of principles
Nori- shorthand for names beginning with "Nori"
Neo- honest boy
Ozemu- male ruler
Rio- excellent
Riota- strong, strong
Rokero- sixth son
Raiden- Thunder and lightning
Ryuu- the Dragon
Seiji- warning, second (son)
Seiichi- warning, clean, first (son)
Susumu- progressive
Sabero- third son
Sadeo- decisive person
Satoru- enlightened
Setoshi- clear thinking, quick-witted, wise
Takashi- filial official, worthy of praise
Takayuki- filial happiness, noble
tarot- great son (this name is given only to the first son)
Teruo- bright person
Tetsuo- clear (thinking) man, iron man
Tetsuya- become iron, clear evening
tomayo- the man who kept
Toru- penetration, wanderer
Toshayo- a man of anxiety, a genius
Toshi- emergency
Toshieki- emergency and bright, mature brightness
Toshiyuki- emergency and happy
Tsuyoshi- strong
Tsuneo- general person
Tsutomu- working man
Tedeo- loyal person
Tedashi- correct, loyal, fair
Takeo- male warrior
Takehiko- soldier prince
Takeshi- fierce warrior
Tekumi- craftsman
Takeo- tall, noble person
Tekahiro- widespread nobility
Temotsu- complete, protective
Tetsuo- dragon man
Tetsuya- the dragon one becomes (and possesses its wisdom and longevity)
Hideki- luxury opportunity
Hideo- luxury person
Khidiki- bright superiority, luxurious brightness
Hizoka- saved
Hiseo- durable person
Hizeshi- durable
hikeru- light or shining
Hiro- wide, widespread
Hiroaki- widespread brightness
Hiroyuki- widespread happiness
Hiroki- rich joy, strength
Hiromi- wide observation, widespread beauty
Hiroshi- abundant, widespread
Hitoshi- balanced, level
Hoteka- step by step
Hejime- Start
Heruo- springtime man
Hachiro- eighth son
shig- shorthand for names beginning with "Shij"
Shigeru- excellent, plentiful
Shijo- rich person
Shin- true man
shinji- devotee, second (son)
Shinichi- devotee, first (son)
Shiro- fourth son
Shichiro- seventh Son
Shoji- correcting, shining, second (son)
Shoichi- correct, successful, first (son)
Shuji- excellent, second (son)
Shuichi- excellent, manager, first (son)
eiji- excellent second son, magnificent ruler
Yuichi- brave, friendly, first (son)
Yukayo- happy man
Yuki happiness, snow
Yutaka- in abundance, prosperous
Yuu- superior
Yuudei- great hero
Yuchi- brave, second, son
Yasuo- an honest, peaceful person
Yasuhiro rich honesty, widespread peace
Yasushi- fair and peaceful