How to write a name in Japanese It's easier to understand by learning the basics of Japanese alphabets. You can write a Russian name in Japanese in hiragana, katakana and hieroglyphs.
Today we will learn a little about the Japanese writing system and learn how to write your names in Japanese. Russian and Japanese names are very different from each other. There is already an article on our website with a list of Japanese names (female and male), explaining how they are formed. And to understand how you can write Russian names in Japanese, you first need to understand the Japanese writing systems. One of the features of this language is that there are three main types of writing : two syllabary alphabet ( kana
) and characters (
kanji
).
Application of Hiragana and Katakana
Why do the Japanese need two alphabets? Historically, the Hiragana alphabet has been used to write grammatical particles and inflected parts of words . Hiragana can be used to write Japanese words – for example, if you don’t know how to write a word in a hieroglyph. It is also used in some texts as hints, written in small print next to the kanji to make it easier to determine how it is read. This is why hiragana is the main alphabet in Japanese writing. It begins with familiarization with the language, laying the foundation for reading and understanding what is written.
Katakana is primarily used to write foreign names and loanwords : for example, the Japanese words "pen" (from English "pen") and "banana" (from English "banana") will be written in this alphabet. Your names will also be written in katakana.
Katakana characters are simpler in design and more angular, previously they were used only by men, while hiragana is more rounded, the lines are smooth: it was invented by Japanese court ladies. As we can see, the character of the writing of the features reflects the male (katakana) and female (hiragana) character.
ABC structure
Both alphabet - hiragana and katakana - are derived from hieroglyphs. They are built on the syllabic principle, that is, each letter means a syllable, which consists of a voiceless consonant and one of five vowels: “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, “o”. There are also several individual letters: three vowels - “ya”, “yu”, “e” - and one consonant “n”. These syllables are the main ones; there are 46 of them in each alphabet.
In addition to the main ones, there are also additional syllables. They are formed from voiced consonants (such as "ha" and "da") or by merging a syllable ending in "i" with one of three separate vowels. So, for example, if you combine “ki” and “yo”, you get a new syllable “kyo”.
Hiragana alphabet
Katakana alphabet
How Japanese names are created
The Japanese name is unique. It is expressed in the fact that it is not the name itself that is written, but its meaning. In more detail, a Japanese name consists of several hieroglyphs, each of which has its own meaning. For a complete combination of all components, connecting elements are included, which also mean something. In sum, they form a specific word, although difficult to pronounce, but having a single meaning.
Russian names in katakana
Russian names in Japanese will be written with syllables in katakana , similar to the original sound of the name. Problems in spelling a name can arise when faced with sounds that do not exist in the Japanese language.
Unlike the Russian language, there is no “l” sound in Japanese, so all foreign words (including names) that contain this sound will be written with “r”. For example, “Lena” in Japanese will sound and be written as “Rena”, and “Alexey” - “Arekusei”.
You also need o（ヴ）, which was created specifically to denote the non-existent “v” sound in foreign words. In Russian, it is quite common and many Russian names are written with the letter “vu”. For example, the name “Vladimir” can be written like this: “Vuradimir”.
However, due to the difficulty of pronunciation, the Japanese prefer to replace the sound “v” with “b”. Thus, the name Valeria, for example, can be written in two ways: “Vuareria” and “Bareria”.
Sometimes in a name written in Japanese you can see the sign 「―」. It serves as an accent, lengthening the vowel sound in front. For example, the name "Irina" in Japanese can be written with this sign: "Iri:na", or 「イリーナ」.
Abbreviated names are also common in Russian. In most cases, such names will be written with additional syllables. For example, when writing “Dasha” or “Sasha”, the compound syllable “sha” （シャ） is used. And to write “Katya” or “Nastya” in Japanese, you will need to use “cha”（チャ）. Thus, these names will sound and be written like this:
- “Dasha” （ダシャ）;
- "Sasha" （サーシャ）;
- "Katya" （カチャ）;
- "Nastya" （ナスチャ）.
Please note that there is no single correct spelling of your name in katakana. It may vary, since some sounds can be written in different syllables.
General information about female names
Many name forms common to Japanese women do not have a specific meaning. To depict the necessary qualities, they use the signs -ma (truth), -yu (tenderness), -mi (beauty) and so on. When choosing a similar name, parents are guided by the desire to reward their daughter with the same qualities in adulthood.
Animal and plant names have been popular for some time as Japanese female names. Hieroglyphs denoting a tiger or deer were credited with healing powers. But over time, this fashion has passed, and the names remaining after it are considered obsolete.
Sometimes lovers of such exotic things remember this fashion when choosing a name for their child. Greater preference is given to those hieroglyphs that were used to call plants and flowers: take (bamboo), kiku (chrysanthemum), momo (peach), ine (rice) and so on. Sometimes they are paired with numerals (nana - seven, mi - three), but such cases are rare. These are the consequences of the ancient tradition of giving names with the serial number of birth of a particular child among other children of the same family.
On the territory of this country you can see unusual names that reflect weather phenomena and seasons: yuki (snow), natsu (summer), kumo (cloud) and so on.
No less impressive are names that consist not of the usual hieroglyphs, but with the participation of syllabic alphabet. They differ from other types of writing in that they are written according to one pattern that does not change under the influence of other factors. Those who want to write their name in hieroglyphs take the general meaning of the word and write it using the desired characters.
Japan failed to preserve its culture from the influence of European countries. Over time, the ranks of familiar names were squeezed out, giving way to foreign ones: Emiri, Maria, Rena, and so on.
Application of Kanji characters
The Japanese language has another writing system that is used to write the stems of words : hieroglyphs, or kanji. They were borrowed from China and slightly modified. Therefore, each character not only has its own meaning, as in Chinese, but also several reading options: Chinese (on'yomi) and Japanese (kun'yomi).
The names and surnames of the Japanese themselves are written in kanji, but is it possible to write Russian names in Japanese characters? There are several ways to do this. However, it must be borne in mind that all of them are usually used for entertainment, for example, to create nicknames in Japanese.
The first way is to choose kanji that are phonetically similar to Russian names. So, for example, the name “Anna” in Japanese can be written with the hieroglyph 「穴」, which is pronounced “ana”, and the name “Julia ”
- in characters 「湯理夜」, which sound like “yuriya”. In this case, kanji are selected based on their sound, but no attention is paid to the meaning.
There is another way , which, on the contrary, emphasizes the meaning of kanji. Translating a name into Japanese from Russian is impossible, but if we turn to its original meaning, which came from Greek, Latin or any other language, then this is quite possible. For example, the name "Alexander", which comes from Greek, means "protector", which in Japanese can be translated as "Mamoru" （守る）. Using this principle, you can translate any other name.
The table below shows several examples of how Russian names are pronounced and written in katakana and how they can be translated into Japanese through the original meaning of the name.
Male names
| Name in Russian | Writing in katakana | Meaning of the name | Japanese translation |
| Alexander | アレクサンダ Arekusanda | Protecting | 守る Mamoru |
| Andrey | アンドレイ Andorei | Brave | Yukio _ |
| Alexei | アﾚクセイ Arekusei | Assistant | 助け Taske |
| Vladimir | ヴラディミル Vuradimiru | Owning the world | 平和主 Hewanushi |
| Vladislav | ヴラディスラフ Wuradisurafu | Owner of glory | 評判主 Hyobanshu |
| Dmitriy | ドミトリ Domitori | Farmer | 果実 Kajitsu |
| Denis | デニース Deni:su | Natural vitality | Shizenryoku _ |
| Kirill | キリール Kiri:ru | Sunshine, sir | 太陽の領主 Tayonoryoshyu |
| Maksim | マクシム Makushima | Greatest | 全くし Mattakushi |
| Nikita | 二キータ Niki:ta | Winner | 勝利と Scherito |
| Sergey | セルギェイ Serugei | Honorable | 敬した Keshita |
Female names
| Name in Russian | Writing in katakana | Meaning of the name | Japanese translation |
| Alina | アリナ Arina | Angel | 天使 Tenshi |
| Alyona | アリョナ Arena | Sunny, shining | 光り Hikari |
| Anastasia | アナスタシーア Anastasi:a | Back to life | 復活美 Fukkatsumi |
| Anna | Anna _ | Favor | 慈悲子 Jihiko |
| Valeria | バﾚーリア Bare:ria | Healthy, strong | 達者 Dragging |
| Victoria | ヴィクトリア Bikutoria | Victory | Shcheri _ |
| Daria | ダリア Daria | Great fire | 大火子 Ohiko |
| Catherine | エカテリナ Ekaterina | Eternally pure, immaculate | 公平里 Koheri |
| Irina | イリーナ Iri:na | World | 世界 Sekai |
| Christina | クリスティナ Kuristina | Christian | 神の子 Kaminoko |
| Natalia | ナタリヤ Nataria | Blessed, Christmas | 生ま里 Umari |
| Pauline | ポリーナ Pori:na | Solar | 晴れた Hareta |
| Svetlana | スベトラーナ Subetora:na | Light | 光る Hikaru |
| Julia | ユーリヤ Yu:riya | Wavy | 波状花 Hajoka |
Nowadays, you can find out how to spell your name in Japanese online using many websites. However, learning to write it yourself using the Japanese alphabet is not at all difficult.
At first it may seem that writing in Japanese is difficult and incomprehensible. A few alphabets may intimidate you, but you'll quickly realize that learning to write in Hiragana and Katakana is just as easy as learning to write in Latin. But you have to start somewhere! And you can do this by writing your name.
Let's now try to write your name in katakana! I'm sure you can do it! Write the result in the comments.
And so that you can quickly learn how to write not only your name in Japanese, but also that of your loved ones, get a free mini-course on learning katakana.
Do you think that learning Japanese is impossible? What would you think if we told you that after just a year of studying Japanese in Daria Moinich’s courses, you will be able to freely communicate with the Japanese on everyday topics? We bet you can do it? Then quickly sign up for the group, because the number of places is limited. There are many people who want to learn! You can find out more about the annual training program and sign up for courses using the link.
List of nicknames with various hieroglyphs
Choose a random nickname
- ♫√lad♫
- ♫∫léÐù xùp xǾp♫
- ♫♪Rezmnaya♪♫
- ♫♫♫ A]{- ➃➆ ♫♫♫
- ♬ l ﻉ√٥ m√ lafﻉ ♬
- ♬ lﻉ√٥ m√ lafﻉ ♬
- ♬ღღღĶå®ǺḾêĻьĶåღღღ♬
- ⚜Zlaya⚜
- ⚠6?_m_♻b??✴
- ⚡?BlanderBot?⚡
- ⚡?BlanderBot?⚡
- ⚡?BlanderBot?⚡ 7
- ⚹Қìѿϊ★Ểɖɗ⚹
- ⚹Ҟüsɑ⚹
- ✈ leen!n✈
- ✑Look there)✑
- ✓Yoon™✓
- ✔ ᎶᎯℬℯℛ ✔
- ✔
- ✔ŝħǿќ ✖✖
- ✔♐ᶄ凡ҎᗩᗰeЛbҜä✔♐
- ✖name✖
- ✖PERSONALITY✖
- ✖MaLyatKo✖
- ✖Tenderer than a Knife✖
- ✖Bullets-|-At-Grandpa!✖
- ✖Auntie◄►Mahito✖
- ✖️TERRORISTKA ✖️
- ✗ÄҜỂ₱
- ✗Ⴝɱάᕼ✗ 1
- ✘a-✘a-✘a 1
- ✘øØŁÎℾȺ₦
- ✘atsker
- ✙Meat eater✙
- ✝ĿĭХ✝
- ✝Ňåtў®а↓ķα✔
- ✝Levi✝
- ✞ ₭ù₸ ✞
- ✞GRAFF✞
- ✞Ã₣ℛǾÐĬŤẵ✞
- ✞λεĜ҉εℵĐᾇ✞
- ✟Ӎἰṩṧ Ⱪᾆᶈᵲḭž✟
- ✨??†Ţ®ǺßЌǺ†??✨
- ✨??†Ţ®ǺßЌǺ†??✨
- ✪ Lucky ✪
- ✪ PRⓄⒷⓄDⒶ!
- ✪Awemy
- ✪FasTIK✪
- ✪SNAYP︻デ═一✪
- ✪Zefer✪
- ✪Ŧђє≈βøśś✪
- ✪Ŧђє≈βøśś✪ ˜
- ✪Watermelon✪
- ✪Ҝტ∭ҜᎯ✪
- ✪♓ツẌẍᶍŢēŋṫá¢ΐọℵ☱☣†
- ✬•٠·♥name♥••٠·✬
- ✬•٠·♥[в] O}I{iNiI 4у♥••٠·✬
- ✰HUNTER✰
- ✰✰happy✰✰
- ✷KÞęßęŦķå ✷
- ✺CURSED BY PARADISE✺
- ✿ name ✿
- ✿ マ凡爪尸凡Ꮆ∑ ✿
- ✿AkT®✿
- ✿__✔__ ✿
- ✿Xia✿
- ✿٠★П☈☉сT☉ ƷΔ☉хλа ★٠✿
- ✿ӓ ɐʞʎɔ ✿ ӓ
- ✿connection✿connection
- ❂❁orange_sun❁❂
- ❃Ằҥð®ҿҿ฿ҥẴ❊❦☣
- ❄AntiNoob❄
- ❄Ʒȧichϟӄ❄
- ❄♚✌۩ ♚
- ❤100pud●√ ❤ ½
- ❤Mickey❤
- ❤Tvoy na veki❤
- ❤Çámãya káyføvàvàchká❤
- ❤Love❤
- ❤OchฉpσßฉτеJlьทฉศ ðеßσчkฉ❤
- ❤๖ۣۜN❤Ę❤M❤Ŷ❤
- ❤ℓ٥ﻻ ﻉ√٥υ ❤ 2
- ❤ℕ ĩ ҝ ℯ ℬ ℴ ɣ❤
- ❤ • [IN ADEQUATE ] • ●❤
- ❤ • name • ●❤
- ❤ •name• ●❤
- ❤️Aida❤️
- ❧I live♥In♥Your♥Heart❧
- ❶Swe[e]T*dreaM❶
- ❶TAMBIER❶
- ❶ӅǜԀễᶈ❶
- ❶↔❶↔Life-game❶↔❶↔
- ❷ҜҏҿẚҭӣɃ❷
- ❷ҜҏҿẚҭӣɃ❷ -1
- ➋➋➑
- ➋➋➑➋➋➑ ➋➋➑
- ➤♛JellySen♛◄™
- ➲ ⓝ © † ?
- ➴ ♚??? ????♛ ➶
- ⬛◾▪♠Vℹpe×××™♠▪◾⬛
- ⱷ KISsKA ⱷ
- ⱷEgo_kroshkaⱷ
- ⱷ*= Your chicken =*ⱷ
- ⱷ*=Your Balykos=*ⱷ
- ⱷ= (((Pantherka )))))))=ⱷ
- ⱷ=BrYunEt04K@ =ⱷ
- ⱷDollⱷ
- ⱷDollⱷ Ḿảṝϔϛᴚ
- ⱷKnopaⱷ
- ⱷPantherkaⱷ
- ⱷ¸Mųζåώķǻⱷ
- ⱷBlonde0 in sh0k0ladyⱷ
- ⱷBlonde0 in s0k0ladyⱷ ˜
- ⱷBlonde in chocolateⱷ
- ⱷBrunet0chKav3eFire)ⱷ
- ⱷBrunetteDot in marshmallow)ⱷ
- ⱷI live in paradise, dressed in happinessⱷ
- ⱷAs usual everything is strawberryⱷ
- ⱷUshastik 777ⱷ
- ⱷ⎠⎛ⱷ√ √@Te ⱷ⎞⎝ⱷ
- ⱷ◊ⱷMalinkaⱷ◊ⱷ
- ⱷ♡≡Your little angel≡♡ⱷ
- ⱷⱷⱷ!!!!Z_L_YU_K_A!!!ⱷⱷⱷ
- ⱷⱷⱷ****…..Musya…*****.ⱷⱷⱷ
- ⱷⱷⱷBunnyⱷⱷⱷ
- ⱷⱷⱷMrr….ⱷⱷⱷ
- 『Ɽคﻮε』 ✧࿈٤٣٨࿈✧ 7
- 【Σℜ∆】
- 【Σℜ∆】 ♚ คภยรђ ツ 14
- 〰ϯ๒๏ú_нคρк๏ϯúк〰
- してfoxして
- シγλыδнμςьツ
- ジnameジ
- ジfunny_chelove©hikジ
- ジ҉Д҉А҉Н҉Э҉Ч҉К҉Аジ
- ツ gvoхɐ ʚ ɔɐdɐfɐnǝツ
- ツ ©Ч@©Тьɐツ
- ツDﻉvush]{@ﻉsomツ
- ツHedRedツ
- ツJulietツ
- ツSuka – loveツ
- ツ_name_ツ
- ツ_smile_ツ
- ツVika
- ツVika ۩͇̿V͇̿I͇̿P ✔З҉ ß҉È҉З҉Ð҉À҉◕␣◕ღ❤★♫☠
- ツMaツ
- ツWall ℒℴѵℯツ
- ツNeBo(•Na•)LaDoNiツ
- ツTami/|yaツ – nickname for the name Tamil
- ツпР◉s╥◉__уmNichkO_o ツ
- ツღღღ⇒KISA IN DEAD NIKES⇐ღღღツ
- ツღღღ⇒CLUBNICHKA⇐ღღღツ
- ツ★Little Coon★
- ツ❶Ӎś.₣®ӧśŧ❶ツ
- ツルネン マルテイ
- ムAce Powerム
- ㅆυჩฉㅆㅆฉΔζøท
- ㅏㅡㅓḛ̃b̰̃l̰̃ã̰ñ̰ㅏㅡㅓ
- ㋛☢▶▷Shooter◀◁☢㋛
- "super tasher"
- 䉤kq-bhopp`eR
- 丹仁仨
- 匕卄モ_Ｋ丹Ｋ丹山Ｋ丹
- 卩y₡₡₭υμ
- 太宰治
- 尺
- 尺. ł. 尸
- 忍び
- 方ừᏁᏁ
- 猫burst angel返
- 私は自殺が大好き
- 陰陽
- Ꞌ♥δελαϫ ροзα♥Ꞌ
- ꧁Misha_H҉A҉C҉K҉E҉R҉ ツ꧂
- ꧁༺ķøćmø ķøté༻꧂
- 쇼 name 쇼
- ?????
- ????✯??????
- ????? ?????
- ?????
- ??????
- ??????
- ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
- ??♱???
- ???ͥ??ͣ?ͫ ???
- ??????????
- ???????
- ?????????????
- ?❤️ℕ????????? 2
- ♣ӠԒӦҊ ҚѺҬЯṜḀ♣ -27
- ♣تDevil from Paradiseت♣
- ♥ )̅ζø√ξ♥
- ♥ GlaM(O)®(O)u$ G®L♥
- ♥iTtY♥
- ♥ his little girl ♥
- ♥ ice heart ♥
- ♥ l٥√ﻉ ﻻ٥υ♥
- ♥ l٥ﻻ ﻉ√٥υ♥
- ♥ Glamu®®®na_Ya_DeByIII]{a♥
- ♥Little_pretty♥
- ♥ M▒A▒L▒Y▒SH▒K▒A♥
- ♥ Your Mom ♥
- ♥ I ♔♥Ŕőʍᴀήțɪƙǎ♥
- ♥ do you need it? achieve it!♥
- ♥ ◊♥GREAT♥◊♥
- ♥ ♥ ♥ I LOVE DIMY♥ ♥ ♥
- ♥ ♥ ♥ I LOVE IVANKA ♥ ♥ ♥
- ♥$ҰљΤ®@ΦиỖлĔΤ$♥
- ♥(ٿ)HoT gIrL(ٿ)♥
- ♥-ﮎvetlana-♥
- ♥.̶.̶.̶P̶a̶F̶f̶f̶o̶o̶o̶o̶s̶.̶.♥
- ♥@L$y♥
- ♥A҉N҉G҉E҉L ♥ D҉E҉L҉E҉T҉E ♥
- ♥BARBIE♥
- ♥ChErVi♥
- ♥I ℓ٥ﻻ ﻉ√٥υ♥
- ♥I'm Zlata♥
- ♥Kลʀι๓๏๏๏๏ƒƒ♥
- ♥Kลʀι๓๏๏๏๏ƒƒ♥ ( ﺭיי )✓
- ♥Love You♥
- ♥Lovely♥
- ♥Love_Strongly♥
- ♥Night Breeze♥
- ♥RAYskaya♥™
- ♥Swetty girl♥
- ♥[…be with me…]♥
- ♥_*l ٥ ﻻ_ ﻉ √ ٥ υ*_♥
- ♥_I am S̶у̶п̶е̶р̶м̶е̶н_♥
- ♥_NeBo[_Na_]LaDoNi_♥
- ♥_♥ AnImeshKa ♥_♥
- ♥@яЯ__mIsS♥
- ♥loνe♥
- ♥|a drop of spring|♥
- ♥~ name ~♥
- ♥~ romantic_girl ~♥
- ♥~ romantic_girl ~♥ (romantic girl)
- ♥~ Bitch~ ♥
- ♥ĎᎯֆℋᎯ_Ⱥℕℾℰℓ ♥
- ♥ĻẵȿէẂờĺʄ♥
- ♥ɋȵgelѻchعҟ♥
- ♥˙˙·٠●Good☉ β feelingsﻉ to the least.●•٠·˙˙♥
- ♥˙˙·٠●Miracle in Kedah●•٠·˙˙♥
- ♥˜”*°•ΔΔыΨу ТУС °*”˜ ♥
- ♥˜”*°•П☈☉сTi ̴Ʒа βсЁ•°*”˜ ♥
- ♥̬♥_A_tI_me_lovebiFF_♥̬♥
- ♥τу ραζδиλ mµε ζερðцε♥
- ♥ϬѻгӋя ♥
- ♥Crazy about brown eyes♥
- ♥ВỀ®Ö_Νṵ]{@ ♥
- ♥DeϷვκϫя★:Ď♥
- ♥DeϷვκϫя★:Ď♥ 2
- ♥DeVo4kA-SKANDAL♥
- ♥Shock Therapy Girl♥
- ♥Za̶ch̶e̶r̶k̶n̶e̶m̶.̶p̶r̶o̶sh̶l̶o♥
- ♥Brown-eyed♥
- ♥Cooler than Gucci♥
- ♥LucyCy♥
- ♥Death's Lover♥
- ♥DREAMS_WILL COME TRUE♥
- ♥Mo®koFFochka♥
- ♥Natalika♥
- ♥Your life♥]{s?n¡ya 100%
- ♥WALKING FUCK=)♥
- ♥I'll give you some bream!♥
- ♥I love ̶t̶e̶b̶ya̶...MYSELF♥
- ♥I'm a fierce daddy♥
- ♥free♥ -1
- ♥as it is♥
- ♥ShamA cool PRINCESS♥
- ♥҉♥free♥҉♥
- ♥۲лΫΠἕњ]{@ I♥
- ♥ḾᾶлѐἯь₭ᾶЯ♥
- ♥∏рθçŦо SvĘτКå ♥
- ♥√V^√~√V^√V in the rhythm of happiness√V^√
