名前 Name in Japanese
Your name in Japanese
Type your name to see it in katakana, the way Japan writes names from other languages, and as ateji: real kanji picked for their sound, each with a meaning.
カタカナ と 当て字Two ways to write a name
カKatakana
Japanese has three scripts. Katakana is the one used for words and names from other languages, so it is how your name would appear on a Japanese passport stamp, a café cup or a concert ticket. Each character is a sound, not a letter, so the spelling follows how your name is said rather than how it is written.
字Ateji
Ateji are kanji borrowed for their sound. Japan has used them for centuries for foreign words: Paris was once written 巴里 and America 亜米利加. We pick kanji whose meanings are good ones, so your name carries something like hope, harmony or a clear sky. A Japanese reader will see it as a sound-spelling, the way you might read a clever number plate.
音の違いWhy your name might look different
Japanese builds every word from about a hundred sounds, mostly a consonant plus a vowel. Sounds English has and Japanese doesn't get the closest fit.
| Sound | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
| L and R | Japanese has one sound between the two, written with the R row. | リリー Lily |
| Long vowels | A dash ー stretches the vowel before it. | エミリー Emily |
| TH | Becomes S or Z, since Japanese has no TH. | マシュー Matthew |
| Ending consonants | Gain a soft U or O, because Japanese syllables end in a vowel or N. | マーク Mark |
| Double consonants | A small ッ adds a short pause before the next sound. | ジャック Jack |
五都市・五つの徳The five virtues
5C5V is built on five Japanese cities and the virtue we give each one. If one of these kanji turns up in your ateji, it's one of ours.
人気の名前Popular names in Japanese
よくある質問Questions
Is this how a Japanese person would write my name?
The katakana is. Where we show "Standard spelling", it matches how your name is usually written in Japan. For names we haven't seen, it's our best reading from the spelling, so check it with a Japanese speaker before it goes anywhere permanent.
Can I have my name in kanji?
Japanese names are written in kanji, but names from other languages normally use katakana. Ateji give you kanji with good meanings chosen for your sounds. They're a creative choice rather than an official spelling.
Why is my name spelt with ー or ッ?
ー makes the vowel before it long, as in the "ee" of Emily. ッ is a short pause before the next sound, as in the "ck" of Jack.
Is it OK to wear my name in Japanese?
Yes. Japanese people wear English on their clothes all the time, and a name written properly, with its meaning understood, is a nice thing to wear. That's why we show the meaning of every kanji instead of picking one that just looks good.
Can I put my name on a tee, hoodie or cap?
Yes. Open 5C5V Studio, choose your name in katakana or your kanji, pick print or embroidery and see a mock-up before you buy. Every piece is made to order, just for you.
工房 Made for you
Wear your name
Put your katakana or your kanji on a tee, hoodie, cap or beanie in 5C5V Studio. Printed or embroidered, made to order.