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Japanese name (人名 jinmei) consists of a family name, or surname, followed by
a given name.
"Middle names" are not recognized in Japan; at least not in the western sense, in
which there is a clear differentiation from the given name.
Japanese names are usually written in kanji (Chinese characters). The kanji for a
name may have a variety of possible pronunciations.
Common surnames in Japan include Satō (佐藤) (most common), Suzuki (鈴木)
(second most common), Takahashi (高橋) (third most common), and Katō (加藤)
(tenth most common) According to estimates, there are as many as 100,000
different surnames in use today in Japan. Surnames occur with varying
frequency in different regions; for example, the names Chinen (知念), Higa (比嘉),
and Shimabukuro (島袋) are common in Okinawa but not in other parts of Japan.
Many Japanese family names derive from features of the rural landscape; for
example, Ishikawa (石川) means "stony brook", Yamamoto (山本) means "the base
of the mountain", and Inoue (井上) means "above the well".
Given names are much more diverse in pronunciation and character usage. Male
names often end in -rō (郎 "son", but also 朗 "clear, bright") or -ta (太 "great,
thick"), or contain ichi (一 "first [son]"), kazu (also written with 一 "first [son]", along
with several other possible characters), ji (二 "second [son]" or 次 "next"), or dai
(大 "great, large") while female names often end in -ko (子 "child") or -mi (美
"beauty"). (Since 1980, the popularity of female names ending in -ko has
dramatically fallen for new baby names and some women drop the -ko upon
adulthood.) Other popular endings for female names include -ka (香 "scent,
perfume" or 花 / 華 "flower") and -na (奈, or 菜, meaning greens).
The Japanese commonly address each other by last name. Only close friends
and children are usually addressed by first name. In addition, people rarely
address each other just by name, but usually attach an appropriate title to the
name. There is a large number of such titles depending on the gender and social
position of the person you are addressing. Some of the most frequently used
titles are:
* san: (for example Sato-san)
This is the most neutral and famous title, and can be used in most situations.
Only in formal situations, san may not be polite enough.
* sama: (for example Sato-sama)
This is a more polite form of san, commonly used in formal situations and letters,
but too polite in a casual context.
* kun: (for example Yusuke-kun)
This is an informal title used for boys and men that are younger than yourself.
* chan: (for example Megumi-chan)
This is an informal title used for young children and very close friends or family
members.
* sensei: (for example Sato-sensei)
This is a title used for teachers, doctors and other people with a higher
education and from whom you receive a service or instructions.
a given name.
"Middle names" are not recognized in Japan; at least not in the western sense, in
which there is a clear differentiation from the given name.
Japanese names are usually written in kanji (Chinese characters). The kanji for a
name may have a variety of possible pronunciations.
Common surnames in Japan include Satō (佐藤) (most common), Suzuki (鈴木)
(second most common), Takahashi (高橋) (third most common), and Katō (加藤)
(tenth most common) According to estimates, there are as many as 100,000
different surnames in use today in Japan. Surnames occur with varying
frequency in different regions; for example, the names Chinen (知念), Higa (比嘉),
and Shimabukuro (島袋) are common in Okinawa but not in other parts of Japan.
Many Japanese family names derive from features of the rural landscape; for
example, Ishikawa (石川) means "stony brook", Yamamoto (山本) means "the base
of the mountain", and Inoue (井上) means "above the well".
Given names are much more diverse in pronunciation and character usage. Male
names often end in -rō (郎 "son", but also 朗 "clear, bright") or -ta (太 "great,
thick"), or contain ichi (一 "first [son]"), kazu (also written with 一 "first [son]", along
with several other possible characters), ji (二 "second [son]" or 次 "next"), or dai
(大 "great, large") while female names often end in -ko (子 "child") or -mi (美
"beauty"). (Since 1980, the popularity of female names ending in -ko has
dramatically fallen for new baby names and some women drop the -ko upon
adulthood.) Other popular endings for female names include -ka (香 "scent,
perfume" or 花 / 華 "flower") and -na (奈, or 菜, meaning greens).
The Japanese commonly address each other by last name. Only close friends
and children are usually addressed by first name. In addition, people rarely
address each other just by name, but usually attach an appropriate title to the
name. There is a large number of such titles depending on the gender and social
position of the person you are addressing. Some of the most frequently used
titles are:
* san: (for example Sato-san)
This is the most neutral and famous title, and can be used in most situations.
Only in formal situations, san may not be polite enough.
* sama: (for example Sato-sama)
This is a more polite form of san, commonly used in formal situations and letters,
but too polite in a casual context.
* kun: (for example Yusuke-kun)
This is an informal title used for boys and men that are younger than yourself.
* chan: (for example Megumi-chan)
This is an informal title used for young children and very close friends or family
members.
* sensei: (for example Sato-sensei)
This is a title used for teachers, doctors and other people with a higher
education and from whom you receive a service or instructions.