Introduction
Japanese names have a special order: the family name comes first, then the given name. There are no middle names. This blog explains the basics of Japanese names and how they have changed.
Structure of Japanese Names
In Japan, the family name comes before the given name. These names often come from nature or the place where the family lives. For example, ‘Tanaka’ (田中) means “middle of the rice field.”
Historical Context
In the late 1800s, during a time called the Meiji Restoration, Japanese people started using family names officially. Before this, regular people did not use family names much. A new rule made everyone choose a family name to help organize society and modernize Japan. This big change is written about in several places, including the National Archives of Japan (https://www.archives.go.jp/naj_news/11/anohi.html).
Current Trends in Names
Nowadays, Japanese names mix old meanings with new ideas from popular culture. Every year, the Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company makes a list of the most popular baby names. This shows what names parents like now. You can see the newest names for 2023 on their website (https://www.meijiyasuda.co.jp/enjoy/ranking/). Also, you can find out what the most common family names are on Myoji-Yurai.net’s website (https://myoji-yurai.net/prefectureRanking.htm).
Examples of Name Variations
Japanese names use kanji characters that can have different meanings. For example, the name ‘Mio’ can be written as 美緒 (meaning beautiful thread) or 実央 (meaning fruit center). Also, the same kanji characters can be read in different ways. A good example is the name 陽翔, which can be said as Haruto, Hinato, or Hiroto. These examples are from the 2023 Name Ranking.
Family Names and Given Names Table
Below is a table of common Japanese given names for men and women, along with common family names, as listed in the 2023 Name Ranking and the 2023 National Surname Ranking:
| Family Name | Given Name (Men) | Given Name (Women) |
| さとう (Satou) | はると (Haruto) | えま (Ema) |
| すずき (Suzuki) | みなと (Minato) | つむぎ (Tsumugi) |
| たかはし (Takahashi) | ゆうと (Yuuto) | みお (Mio) |
| たなか (Tanaka) | あおと (Aoto) | さな (Sana) |
| いとう (Itou) | りく (Riku) | めい (Mei) |
Conclusion
Japanese names are very important. They tell us a lot about Japan’s history and culture. Learning about these names helps you understand and enjoy Japanese culture more, whether you are studying the language or just interested in Japan.
