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What is my name in Japanese? How to translate your name.

255 Comments / Japanese / By / May 16, 2022

Ah, finding out your Japanese name is magical, isn’t it?

It’s the rite of passage for any new learner.

The second you start learning the language, you want to know how to write and say your name in Japanese. You’ll also need it to be able to introduce yourself in Japanese. So, I hope, by this time, you already know your Japanese alphabet… and specifically Katakana. If not… you…

…Ah, screw it.

I’ll show you anyway. (But you should really learn Katakana here.)

Want to learn how to write in Japanese? Download your free Japanese Alphabet worksheet here.

Want to know what your name is in Japanese?

  • If you’re just lazy, just LOOK BELOW for the list of common translated names.
  • If you’re ambitious… scroll all the WAY DOWN and the guide. It’ll take 3 or 4 minutes and you’ll be ready to use your Japanese name.

Also, be sure to leave a comment and say what your Japanese name is for practice!

Katakana Chart. You’ll Need This for Your Name in Japanese.

Just so you know…

Your name will be written in Katakana. All foreign words and names are written in this writing system. Below’s a quick run through of the Katakana (alphabet).

Katakana – English First, Then Japanese.
A I U E O
ア イ ウ エ オ
Ka Ki Ku Ke Ko
カ キ ク ケ コ
Ga Gi Gu Ge Go
ガ ギ グ ゲ ゴ
Sa Shi Su Se So
サ シ ス セ ソ
Za Ji Zu Ze Zo
ザ ジ ズ ゼ ゾ
Ta Chi Tsu Te To
タ チ ツ テ ト
Da Dzi Du De Do
ダ ヂ ヅ デ ド
Na Ni Nu Ne No
ナ ニ ヌ ネ ノ
Ha Hi Hu/Fu He Ho
ハ ヒ フ ヘ ホ
Ba Bi Bu Be Bo
バ ビ ブ ベ ボ
Pa Pi Pu Pe Po
パ ピ プ ペ ポ
Ma Mi Mu Me Mo
マ ミ ム メ モ
Ya Yu Yo
ヤ ユ ヨ
Ra Ri Ru Re Ro
ラ リ ル レ ロ
Wa N Wo
ワ ン ヲ
The Ya, Yu, Yo Sounds
Kya Kyu Kyo
キャ キュ キョ
Gya Gyu Gyo
ギャ ギュ ギョ
Sha Shu Sho
シャ シュ ショ
Ja Ju Jo
ジャ ジュ ジョ
Cha Chu Cho
チャ チュ チョ
Nya Nyu Nyo
ニャ ニュ ニョ
Hya Hyu/Fyu Hyo
ヒャ ヒュ ヒョ
Bya Byu Byo
ビャ ビュ ビョ
Pya Pyu Pyo
ピャ ピュ ピョ
Mya Myu Myo
ミャ ミュ ミョ
Rya Ryu Ryo
リャ リュ

To make it easier, and so you can double-check your work, here are some common names translated into Japanese.

Common English Names Translated To Japanese For Lazy People

Names A-M Romanized Japanese
Aaron A-ron アーロン
Adam Adamu アダム
Alex Arekkusu アレックス
Ann An アン
Anna Anna アンナ
Andrew Andoryuu アンドリュウ
Arthur Arusaa アルサー
Becky Bekki ベッキ
Ben Ben ベン
Bill Biru ビル
Bob Bobu ボブ
Brittany Burittanii ブリッタニー
Casey Keishii ケイシー
Carl Caaru カール
Charles Charuzu チャルズ
Cindy Shindii シンディ
Dan Dan ダン
Deborah Debora デボラ
Derek Derekku デレック
Don Don ドン
Donna Donna ドンナ
Emma Emma エッマ
Eric Erikku エリック
Erica Erika エリカ
Fred Fureddo フレッド
Gary Ge-ri ゲーリ
Glen Guren グレン
Harry Ha-ri ハーリ
Jack Jakku ジャック
James Je-muzu ジェームズ
Jen Jen ジェン
Jenny Jenni ジェニー
Jerry Jerri ジェリー
Joe Jo ジョ
John Jon ジョン
Karen Karen カレン
Keith Kiifu キーフ
Ken Ken ケン
Kim Kimu キム
Larry Ra-ri ラーリ
Lenny Renni レニー
Linda Rinda リンダ
Mark Ma-ku マーク
Matt Matto マット
Mary Me-ri メーリ
Max Makkusu マックス
Mike Maiku マイク
Michael Maikeru マイケル
Nathan Ne-san ネーサン
Nick Nikku ニック
Nikki Nikki ニッキ
Patrick Pattorikku パットリック
Paul Po-ru ポール
Peter Pi-ta ピータ
Philip Firippu フィリップ
Rachel Reicheru レイチェル
Randy Rendi- レンディ
Ray Rei レイ
Rebecca Rebekka レベッカ
Richard Richa-do レチャード
Robert Roba-to ロバート
Roger Roja- ロジャー
Sally Sari- サリー
Sam Samu サム
Sarah Sara サラ
Sophie Sofii ソフィー
Stan Sutan スタン
Stephanie Sutefanii ステファニー
Tim Timu ティム
Valerie Bareri- バレリー
Vicky Bikki ビッキ
Victor Bikkuta- ビックター
Victoria Bikkutoria ビックトリア
Walter Waruta- ワルター
Wanda Wanda ワンダ
Wendy Uendii ウェンディ
Will Uirru ウィル
William Uirriamu ウィッリアム
Zack Zakku ザック
Zachary Zakkari ザッカリ

 

If I don’t have yours, leave a comment below and I will add it!

So, hopefully I got your Japanese name in there. Now, you can start speaking basic Japanese and go introduce yourself as…

    • Hajimemashite, watashi no namae wa (name) desu.
    • はじめまして。私の名前は(name)です。
    • Nice to meet you. My name is (name).

Or you can just say the more casual way.

    • (name) desu.
    • (name)です。
    • I’m (name).

If you got your name right, be sure to leave a comment and introduce yourself. If I missed your name, also leave a comment and we’ll get one for you! And now that you know your name and can introduce yourself, you should learn even more Japanese!

What is my name in Japanese? How to translate your name.

Want to learn how to write in Japanese? Download your free Japanese Alphabet worksheet here.

First, there are 9 rules that you need to know about finding out your Japanese name.

Don’t worry, they’re not scary. You’ll be fine after reading them.

And if you’re still confused, just leave a comment.

Or… proceed to the list below if now you’re feeling lazy.

  1. It must be written in Katakana as it’s a foreign name. Katakana is merely a version of the Japanese alphabet dedicated to foreign words that were adopted by Japanese.
  2. The spelling WILL depend on how you pronounce your name. Let’s say you have an uncommon name that may not sound how its spelled. For example, your name is Böb but it’s not pronounced as “Bob” but “Beaub.” Well, if you want most of your desired pronunciation to cross over into Japanese, you will need to go by sounds or phonetics. So, you won’t be a “Bobu ボブ” but perhaps “バーブ.”
    1. If you check the comments where people ask about their names, often the first question is… “well, how do you pronounce that?”
  3. There is no L. L becomes R. Sorry Larry, Linda, and Luke. Your names will start with the letter R from now on. There’s no L in the Japanese language and Japanese R is pretty unique, similar to the Russian/Spanish/Italian R where you  slightly roll your tongue. So Larry, you are pretty much Rarry.
  4. There is no V. V becomes B. Sorry Vicky, you’re now Bikki.
  5. The Japanese Alphabet follows the this sound pattern. You’ll get a good idea of it after taking a look at the character chart below.
    1. Pronunciation: Ah (written as A)
    2. Pronunciation: Ee (written as I)
    3. Pronunciation: Oo (written as U)
    4. Pronunciation: Eh (Written as E)
    5. Pronunciation: Oh (Written as O)
      1. So, of course, there will be “ka, ki, ku, ke, ko” and “sa, shi, su, se, so” and so on.
  6. Most Japanese letters actually consist if 1 consonant and 1 vowel OR just 1 vowel.
    1. So, “Ka” is considered as one letter. So is “A.” And “De.”
    2. What does this mean? It means 2 things. If you have…
      1. Two consecutive consonants in your name like “Fr” in Fred or “Gl” in Glen, those two will now have vowels after the consonants. So, the Fr in Fred becomes “Fure” and the Gl in Glen becomes “Gure.”
        1. Rule: In two consecutive consonants, the first one follows an “U” sound. The second one will follow the vowel that’s already in your name.
      2. Or if your name ends in a consonant, like “D” in Ted, then that last consonant is doubled up and ends in an O or U. Ted actually becomes Teddo. Fred becomes Fureddo.
        1. This rule does not apply to names ending in “N.” N in Japanese is the only consonant can be counted as 1 letter. So, our friend Glen is Guren.
        2. This rule does not apply to names ending in “Y.” So, Ray becomes Rei. The letter I (イ) acts as that “iy” sound.
        3. Names ending in K, M or X take on the “U” ending. Jim is Jimu. Hank is Hanku. Sam is Samu. Max is Makkusu. Mark is Ma-ku.
  7. Japanese letters are pronounced with equal stress and time, unless noted by an elongation. Take the word “camera.” In English, camera is pronounced as “Caaamura,” right? There’s quite a bit of stress on the “Caaaaa.” In Japanese however, it is ka-me-ra where each letter, ka, me and ra, are said for equal amounts of time.  This will help you understand rule #7 below.
  8. If a vowel in your name sounds like it receives stress, it will be an elongated vowel in Japanese. What do I mean? Take the name “Mary” or “Gary” for example. There’s quite a bit of emphasis on the letter A. It almost sounds like it’s pronounced as “Maaary” where the inflection on the A goes up. Same with Gary. In Japanese, these will become “Me-ri” and “Ge-ri”
  9. The Ya, Yu, Yo Sounds. Basically, any I sound, like Ki, Gi, Mi, Ji etc. can be combined with the Ya, Yu, Yo letters of a smaller version to produce sounds like…
    1. Gi: Gya, Gyu, Gyo
    2. Ji: Ja, Ju, Jo
    3. Ri: Rya, Ryu, Ryo
    4. And so, on. You’ll see more of these in the chart below.

Conclusion

Ok, now  you’re ready to learn your Japanese name.

Below is a chart of the Katakana letters, providing you with the English first, Japanese character underneath, to help you find the character for your name. Here’s how you figure out your name:

    • Step 1: Refer to rule #4 for the proper pronunciation of A, I, U, E, O.
    • Step 2: If your name starts with a consonant and vowel, look for the ones that match you.
      • Mary will start with “Me-” or メー
      • Kevin will start with “Ke” or  ケ
    • Or similary, if your name starts with a vowel, chose A, I, U, E, or O, depending on how your name sounds.
    • Step 3: Then piece your name together. Look for the next sound.
      • Mary will start with “Me-” or メー, and then we need “Ri” so find that character, リ, and add it in: メーリ
      • Kevin will start with “Ke” or  ケ, and then we need “Bi” (remember no V in Japanese) and “N.” So, find “Bi” and “N” and you have “Kebin” or ケビン.
    • Step 4: Feeling lazy? Scroll down below this chart where I’ve translated common English names into Japanese.

– The Junkie

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255 thoughts on “What is my name in Japanese? How to translate your name.”

  2. Derek Ruehl

    Ok so my given name is Derek so that would be Derekku according to your list. But my surname is Ruehl (pronounced: real). Would it just be Riro?

    Reply
    1. The Junkie

      If it’s pronounced as real, there’s an elongated “ee” sound between the two R’s so it’d be リール　(ri-ru)

      Reply
  8. Hans Galang

    I don’t get it I just want to translate my name. Btw my name is Hans I will really appreciate it if u will translate it for me

    Reply
    1. The Junkie

      Close! Would be Birujini-a. BUT… In the case of R before a consonant, the R can take on the vowel before. Like Mark is Maaku. You can go with バージニア (Ba-jinia) or ビージニア (Bi-jinia), although I think the Japanese “ee” sound of the “I” strays too far off/is too extreme compared to the original pronunciation. Case in point: Veerginia in English sounds odd. I think バージニア (Ba-jinia) would work best.

      Reply
  11. Jayens

    こんにちは、my name is Jayens but I don’t know if he can translated as Jeiensu. (ジェイエンス)

    ありがとうございます！

    Reply
    1. The Junkie

      It depends on how you pronounce your name. If you pronounce it as Jei-ensu. (ジェイエンス) then that’s the best answer. If it’s more of a “Ja-yens,” then ジャエンス・ジャイェンス）

      Reply
        1. The Junkie

          No worries whatsoever. It’s eru-jei エルジェイ エ(e)ル(ru)ジ(ji)ェ(e)イ(i) when coupled with a small katakana vowel like ェ, ジェ becomes “je”

          Reply
  14. Mahfuzah

    How about Mahfuzah ? Its become like this マフザデス ? It is right ? Im still learning and struggling to remember the hiragana and katakana alphabet.

    Reply
  16. Xavi ❤

    はじめまして。 ハビ です。よろしく お願いします！
    Hajimemashite, Habi desu! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

    Is that even right?

    Reply
  20. Fatima Oliva

    Hi ! Um I’ve been wondering for a long time now but what would Fatima be? I’ve searched it up but it wouldn’t see change pls help‍♀️

    Reply
  21. Domanic

    some random person online named domanic and every variation of my name is domaniku in japan but when i decided to go to a Japanese website I know Japanese but not names so I decided to try to see why my name is failing so badly in japan could you help me

    Reply
    1. The Junkie

      depends on the pronunciation
      if Gee-oh-mari, then ジオマリ (ji-o-mari)
      if “Jo-Mari” then　ジョマリ (jo-mari)

      Reply
    1. The Junkie

      アリソン (Arison) Careful: if you’re new to Japanese, you might think that the last 2 characters are exactly the same but they’re at different angles. to tell the difference: consider the first one is almost straight down, and the other one is almost horizontal.

      Reply
    1. The Junkie

      サイ　ビナイ (Sai Bonai) or　　サイ　ウィナイ (Sai Winai). Japanese doesn’t have a V sound so it’d be one of those 2 depending on your preference.

      Reply
  36. giovanni

    i just dont get it, its so confusing *sigh* and my name so long…
    Surname: Fedosi ; Second Name: Alessandro ; First Name: Giovanni
    would be insane if someone can translate it! :D

    Reply
  37. Aniva

    My name is Aniva. I tried translating it and came up with A Ni Ba (A Ni Va) lol can you correct me if I’m wrong please.
    According to Google it’s Aniwa ‍♀️ So would love some help please.

    Reply
  41. やぶる

    Yablu… my name translates to the word やぶる whitch meas to eliminate or destroy I feel powerful.

    Reply