Japanese male names: what does the name of a samurai tell?

Continuing the theme of Japanese names, in this part I will focus on Japanese male names and surnames. I will try to answer the questions: what first and last names are given to Japanese boys? What do they mean and how do they influence their future fate? What Japanese male names are considered "cool" or "samurai" and why? I will also provide an unofficial table of translations of Russian male names into Japanese.

It is known that Russian surnames were mostly formed from family names (Nikanor -> Nikanorov) and nicknames (Bezrodny -> Bezrodov), including those associated with profession (Blacksmith -> Kuznetsov). Japanese surnames were formed in strict connection with a specific locality. Therefore, surnames common in the Kanto region, such as Tanaka (田中 - rice field + middle), Ito (伊藤 - character for Italy + wisteria), Kobayashi (小林 - small + forest), Watanabe (渡辺 - move + side), Yamamoto (山本 - mountain + spring), etc. are less common in the southern regions of Japan. Unusual surnames are more common there, see the table below (information from the site myoji-yurai.net)

Japanese boy names

The laws of the formation of Japanese names go back to ancient times. Somewhere around 300 BC. e. in Japan there was a culture called “Jomon”, which at that time reached the height of its development. As the years passed, this culture changed, transforming into another, called "Yaen" by modern scientists. Then the formation of the Japanese national language began. At that time, the country's society was divided into several classes: clans (ruling elite), artisans and slaves, and the social category of a Japanese resident was necessarily indicated by a certain component of his name.

If a person's name contained the component "uzdi", it meant that he belonged to the upper class of Japanese society. The particle “be” indicated that the owner of the name feeds himself and his family through hard work. Over the years, numerous clans with the components “uzdi” and “be” were formed, and the status of the inhabitants all this time underwent various changes.

Today it is already very difficult to determine something from these particles, but their presence in the name still indicates the genealogical roots of the Japanese. In Japanese society, aristocrats (kuge) and samurai (bushi) were considered chosen, and only they had the right to a surname. The rest of the citizens could only bear nicknames and names. And so it was until the onset of the 19th century.

Name, character, destiny...

When coming up with a name for a child, the Japanese pay great attention to choosing the right hieroglyphs... Through the meaning of these hieroglyphs, they try to give the child certain qualities in the future: kindness, courage, compassion, strength and much more. Also, various natural objects are sometimes included in the name: sea, sky, animals and plants. Thus, the sea conveys the breadth of vision, the sky speaks of serenity and endless life, animals endow their bearer with strength and endurance, and plants give strength and health. Using the example of famous Japanese from different eras, let's trace the connection between their name, character and fate.

In my opinion, the most striking illustration of this principle is the life and fate of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣 秀吉 - abundance + servant, excellent + ancient) - one of the unifiers of Japan and great military and political figures. Coming from a simple peasant family, throughout his life, along with the growth of his personal status, he changed his name, strengthening his position and exalting himself.

So, at birth he was given the name Hiyoshimaru (日吉丸 - day, sun + ancient + circle, indicator of a male name). But the poor peasants did not have surnames. As a child, Hideyoshi also had a nickname for "monkey" - Saru 猿. When he grew up, he ran away from his home to become a samurai. The reason was the mistreatment of his stepfather (Hideyoshi's mother remarried). From then on, he began to call himself Kinoshita Kōkichirō (木下藤吉郎 - the surname literally means “under the tree”, and the name – wisteria + old + indicator of a male name).

Ttoyotomi Hideyoshi

There are two versions about the origin of his surname. According to one version, Hideyoshi chose his surname by analogy with the surname of his new overlord Matsushita (松下 - literally “under the pine tree”). According to another, due to the fact that he entered into a contract with another famous unifier of Japan, Oda Nobunaga, standing under a huge tree. One way or another, he appropriated the name Hideyoshi to himself only when he had significantly advanced through the ranks. The promotion of the son of an unknown peasant in the service of Oda Nobunaga became possible only thanks to the exceptional military talent of Hideyoshi.

The fact is that Nobunaga evaluated his subordinates only by their abilities, without paying attention to their origin. This fact played a major role in the career of the future “great minister”. When Nobunaga handed over the lands to him, he again changed his surname from Kinoshita to Hashiba (羽柴 - wings + bush) taking kanji from the surnames of two people he respected: Niwa 丹羽 and Shibata 柴田. Continuing to unite the disparate Japanese principalities, Hideyoshi again changed his surname to Fujiwara (藤原 - wisteria + spring). The reason was that the characters Taira 平 - calm, unchanging, Geng 原 - source and Hashi 橋 - bridge were used only in the names of royal vassals. That is, he wanted to become closer to the ruling elite.

When the unification of Japan was completed, Hideyoshi, who became the regent-kampaku, received the royal surname Toyotomi from the Emperor himself. And although the Toyotomi family will be interrupted in just one generation, the story of Hideyoshi is a story of greatness and the name plays an important role here. Information taken from the page https://www12.plala.or.jp/rekisi/hideyosi-namae.html

I will give a list of outstanding Japanese people of various talents and professions (surnames are borrowed from Wikipedia) and a literal translation of their names:

The influence of the samurai clan on the origin of Japanese male names

The formation of the Japanese samurai clan dates back to the 7th century. It was formed by the samurai Minamoto Yoritomo, the first of the military usurpers. Then the situation in the country was perfectly suited for the prosperity of the samurai. They received the right to independently choose names for themselves and assign serial numbers to their servants. If we consider the construction of Japanese male names Ichiro (eldest son), Shiro (third), Goro (fifth), we can determine their origin thanks to the particles “ichi”, “si” and “go”, which were taken from numbers one, three, five.

A similar principle has been preserved to this day, only now it does not mean that the bearer of such a name belongs to the poor class. If a samurai fell ill with a serious illness, he received an excellent reason to take a new name for himself.

What female names are associated with death?

It is generally accepted that one of the first female names associated with death was the ancient name “Kiku”. This is one of the names of chrysanthemum, a beautiful flower that in Japan is considered a symbol of the end of life.

Accordingly, the names of chrysanthemums in their composition have a similar meaning. Which Japanese girl names mean "Death"? Those whose core words involve words associated with the end of life. Accordingly, the word “death” itself may not be present in the name.

The Japanese also attach this meaning to names whose meaning is not directly related to burial rituals and traditional symbols of death. For example, the name “Toshi”, to which some suffix is ​​attached (most often “ko”). The word "Toshi" is translated as "accident", "disaster that occurred due to human fault."

Accordingly, "Toshiko" is a female name meaning "Death". That is, the concept of death in the sense of a female name in Japan does not imply the presence of this word itself in its composition. For a correct understanding of the meaning of the Japanese feminine name, the associations that it evokes are important.

Modern male Japanese names

Today, Japanese male names represent numerous variations of the ancients. The only thing that unites them is the presence of some component inherited from their ancestors. Even now, Japanese names depend on the serial number under which the boy was born into the family. The eldest son has the suffixes “ichi” and “kazu” in his name, the second son has “ji”, and the third has “zo”. All adults in Japan have the right to a pseudonym. After death, most Japanese people receive new (posthumous) names - “kaimyo”. They are written on a special wooden tablet, symbolizing the spirit of the deceased. In general, the Japanese don't worry much about personal names because they believe in the existence of reincarnation of souls.

How are names formed in Japan?

The art of naming, like origami or growing miniature bonsai trees, is passed down in families for generations. There is not a single Japanese who does not know the basic principles of naming, but, of course, not every resident of this country can come up with a truly beautiful and meaningful name for a newborn girl.

Each name is a compound word consisting of many others. The basic principles used when creating a naming are:

• the main core word, or “root of the name” - almost anything can act in this capacity, for example, a weather phenomenon, season, shade of color, stone, animal or something else;
• sounds that complement the expression containing the main meaning.

For example, a female name meaning “Death” can be supplemented with the epithets “instant” and “inevitable”. But they can also add explanations - “to preserve honor”, ​​“to avoid a worse fate, shame.” Other additions to the core word are also possible, for example, words that add euphony and poetry.

For example, the name of the world famous Japanese cartoon creator Miyazaki has the following meaning:

• the main core words, the “root of the name” are “palace” and “temple”;
• addition - "cape".

Accordingly, the name of the cartoonist can be translated into Russian as “Palace with a temple on the cape.”

Japanese boy names starting with A

• Akio (1 - 昭雄, 2 - 昭夫): translated from Japanese means 1) "glorious hero" or 2) "glorious person"
• Akihiko (明彦): Japanese for "bright prince"
• Aki (1 - 秋, 2 - 明, 3 - 晶): translated from Japanese means: 1) “autumn” 2) “bright” 3) “spark”
• Arata (新): Japanese for "fresh"
• Akihiro (大畠): Japanese for "great glory"
• Atsushi (敦): Japanese means "hard worker"
• Akira (1 - 明, 2 - 亮): Japanese name – unisex, meaning 1) “bright” or 2) “clear”

Why are such names popular in Japan?

Any Japanese female name that means “Death” is a whole philosophy. Parents who choose names for their daughters with a similar meaning do not at all wish them and their future loved ones death, troubles and misfortunes, everything is quite the opposite.

In the state of death, the Japanese see the achievement of harmony, absolute peace and, oddly enough, special beauty. Death in Japan does not mean the end of life, it is its ultimate goal. Japanese female names with the meaning “Death” are an actual wish for newborn girls to have harmony in life, peace of mind, dispassion, absence of fuss, troubles and, paradoxically, health. After all, after death there are no diseases, as well as other negative nuances that darken the lives of people in this world.

Japanese boy names starting with K

• Katsuo (胜雄): Japanese for "child's victory"
• Kichirou (吉郎): Japanese for "lucky son"
• Katashi (坚): Japanese for "hardness"
• Kenshin (谦信): Japanese means "humble truth"
• Katsu (胜): Japanese for "victory"
• Katsumi (克己): Japanese for "discreet"
• Kazuo (1 - 和夫, 2 - 一男): translated from Japanese means 1) “harmonious person” or “first man”
• Kin (钦): Japanese name - unisex, meaning "gold"
• Kou (1 - 幸, 2 - 光, 3 - 康): 1) happiness, 2) light, or peace
• Kunio (国男): Japanese for "compatriot"
• Kyoshi (淳): Japanese for "pure"
• Kohaku (琥珀): Japanese name - unisex, meaning "amber"

From the history

In writing, the Japanese name is depicted as one or more hieroglyphs. Sometimes parents try to distinguish themselves by adding katakana or hiragana characters. In 1985, the list of formally permitted characters for writing Japanese names was expanded to include romanji, man'yegana, hentaigana and more familiar European symbols - $, %. In other cases, only hieroglyphs are found.

The interesting thing about the old days is that the common people were the personal property of the emperor. Gradually, to indicate the place of each of them in the functioning of the directory, surnames appeared. If a Japanese distinguished himself and committed a significant act that left a mark on history, he could be given a new name.

Historians suggest that the first surnames appeared after the restoration of Meiji. The upper class ordered the plebeians to come up with a surname for themselves. Some people took surnames from the historical past, others told fortunes or asked priests for help. This fact explains one curious point: in Japan you can find many different surnames that differ from each other not only in spelling, but also in meaning.

Japanese boy names starting with M

• Minoru (里): Japanese for "truth"
• Makoto (诚): Japanese name - unisex, meaning "sincerity, truth"
• Masaru (胜): Japanese for "victory"
• Minori (里): Japanese for "truth"
• Manabu (学): Japanese means "to study"
• Mamoru (守): Means "protector" in Japanese
• Masahiko (正彦): Japanese for "just a prince"
• Masanori (正则): Japanese for "model of justice"
• Michi (道): Japanese for "path"
• Masao (正男): Japanese for "right person"
• Masashi (雅): Japanese means "elegant, magnificent"
• Masato (正人): Japanese for "right person"
• Masahiro (正洋): Japanese means "justice flourishes"
• Masaaki (真明): Japanese for "true brightness"
• Masumi (真澄): Japanese name - unisex, meaning "true clarity"
• Mitsuo (光子): Japanese for "brilliant person"
• Masaki (昌树): Japanese means "prosperous tree"

Creation of nicknames in Japan

Any Japanese nickname is created from a common name. To do this, you need to perform only one action: add a special suffix -chan or -kun to the base of the word.

There are several types of foundations. The most popular one looks like the full name: Yasunari, Kimiko (Yasunari-chan, Kimiko-chan). Along with it, a shortened version of the name is used: Ya, Kii (Ya-chan, Kii-chan). Most often it can be heard among friends or family.

Sometimes, to create a diminutive nickname, the name is completely transformed. For example, Megumi's name is changed to Kei-chan. Therefore, the first of the characters that make up the name Megumi is read as Kei.

A new opportunity to create nicknames has joined the newfangled trends. To do this, take the first two syllables of the surname with the given name and connect them together. This method is more common in celebrity nicknames. For example, Kimura Takuya - Kimutaku, Brad Pitt - Burapi and so on. A rarer variation of this variant is the doubling of syllables (Mamiko Noto - Mami Mami).

For the Japanese, a sign of good etiquette is to address an acquaintance by his last name when meeting by chance. If an acquaintance is part of a close social circle, then a diminutive nickname is allowed.

Japanese boy names starting with T

• Takao (孝雄): Means "respected hero/man" in Japanese
• Takahiro (贵浩): Japanese for "noble"
• Tadao (忠夫): Japanese for "faithful person"
• Takumi (1 - 巧, 2 - 匠, 3 - 工): translated from Japanese means 1) "dexterous", 2) "craftsman", or 3) "skillful"
• Tamotsu (保): Japanese means "protector, patron"
• Taro (太郎): Japanese means "great son" or "eldest son"
• Toshio (俊夫): Japanese for "brilliant"
• Tadashi (1 - 忠, 2 - 正): translated from Japanese means 1) "loyal" or 2) "truth"
• Takashi (隆): Japanese means "commendable"
• Toru (彻): Japanese for "traveler"
• Toshi (慧): Japanese means "bright, intelligent"
• Takeshi (武): Japanese means "cruel, violent," "warrior"
• Takayuki (隆行): Japanese means "passing to heights"

Examples of girls' names and their meaning

Beautiful Japanese names for girls have one notable feature - the use of the endings -ko or -mi. The first ending is fraught with an appeal to a child, the second - admiration for female beauty. Japanese female names and their meanings are presented in the table.

Japanese boy names starting with X

• Hachiro (八郎): Japanese means "eighth son"
• Hitoshi (等): Japanese for "balanced"
• Hideki (秀树): Japanese means "great opportunity"
• Hikaru (辉): Means "shine" in Japanese
• Hisao (寿夫): Japanese means "long-lived person"
• Hiro (1 - 裕, 2 - 寛, 3 - 浩): Japanese name – unisex, meaning 1) “many,” 2) “generous, tolerant,” or 3) “prosperous”
• Haruo (春男): Japanese for "spring man"
• Hisashi (久志): Japanese for "long-lived"
• Hideo (英夫): Japanese for "beautiful person"
• Hiroki (弘树): Japanese for "strength"

How can you avoid this implication when choosing a Japanese name?

Before giving your daughter a beautiful-sounding exotic name, you need to not only know its translation, but also get an idea of ​​the mentality, cultural characteristics, history, traditions and folklore of the country where it comes from.

This is especially important if a Japanese name is chosen. Knowledge of translation is not enough. Even knowing it, you can accidentally choose a female name for a newborn that means “Death.” For example, which European would be wary of the translation “chrysanthemum bush in bloom”? But chrysanthemum is one of the main symbols of death in Japan.

But in the modern world, the mutual penetration of cultures is so great, and superficial, that it is very difficult to avoid the temptation to name your daughter a beautiful exotic name.

What to do? Make up an adjective yourself, using as a basis a word that accurately conveys the desired meaning, but is not a specific concept. For example, you don’t need to use plant names, just the word “flower” is enough. It needs to be translated into Japanese using a dictionary, listen to the sound and add any additions. In this case, the negative, from a European point of view, meaning of the name can be avoided.

Names and surnames of local emperors

The emperors of Japan lived their lives not only without surnames, but sometimes without even hearing their own name, since it was carefully classified. Even when drawing up official documents, one title was used for a high-ranking official. After the death of the emperor, he is given another name, which is later remembered along with this person. Such a specific name consists of two halves: an enthusiastic assessment of his behavior and the title tenno (overlord). For example, after his birth the emperor was given the name Mutsuhito. The moment he dies, he will be called Meiji-tenno (highly developed lord).

In Japanese etiquette, a sign of good form is the habit of addressing the emperor not by name, but by title. For example, we can recall Akihito, who was called Tsugu-no-miya (Infante Tsugu). This title was sometimes retained by a person if for some reason he did not receive a posthumous name.

Sometimes one of the members of the ruler's dynasty lost his powers and received the place of an ordinary person. If this happened, the ruler personally chose his surname. One of the most popular surnames of its time was Minamoto. In the event that the ruler's family accepted a new person, he could forget about his last name. For example, we can recall the crowned princess Michiko. Before she married Emperor Akihito, her name was Michiko Seda.