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26,919 first names, 70,620 last names, 326,959 kanji variations.
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January in Japan is filled with the promise of new beginnings. From first shrine visits to the pristine imagery of winter’s snow, a baby born this month can carry the spirit of fresh starts and a clean slate. This article guides you through the special symbolism of a January birth, the seasonal elements that inspire parents, and how these motifs translate into kanji and names reflecting hope, clarity, and warmth during the coldest time of year.
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In Japan, January marks the beginning of a new year and symbolizes a fresh start. Important traditions such as visiting a shrine or temple for “first prayers” (hatsumōde), watching the year’s first sunrise (hatsu-hinode), and many other New Year customs happen around this time. Because of this, a baby born in January often carries an extra sense of “new beginnings” and hope for the future.
January is the heart of winter in Japan. Snowy landscapes, crisp air, and winter-blooming flowers are common sights. Incorporating these winter images into a baby’s name can add a special, season-specific touch. In Japanese culture, names often include kanji (Chinese characters) that reflect nature or positive qualities the parents hope their child will embody.
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In Japanese names, kanji convey specific meanings. The choice of each character—whether to represent winter imagery, a hopeful future, or positive traits—can have a big impact on the nuance of the name.
Below are examples of names that capture the spirit of January. Each name includes possible pronunciations (in parentheses) and a brief explanation of the meaning or imagery behind it. In Japanese, the same kanji can often be read in different ways, so these are just a few possibilities.
Japanese kanji can often have multiple readings. It’s wise to confirm that the chosen name is easy enough for others to pronounce and won’t cause confusion in daily life. If you plan to live or travel internationally, you may also consider how it sounds in English or other languages.
Some families consult fortune-telling or numerology systems (kazu or sūji) to see if the kanji combination has auspicious stroke counts. While not everyone in Japan follows this, it can be a way to gain family consensus or simply feel reassured about the name’s positive vibrations.
Names that heavily reflect the season are adorable for a newborn. However, consider how the child may feel as they grow into adulthood. Also think about future situations like school, work, and travel abroad—especially if the name has very specialized characters that are difficult to read or write.
In Japanese tradition, January is filled with the promise of a new year—fresh opportunities, good fortune, and a sparkling winter landscape. When you weave that symbolism into a baby’s name, you offer a deeply meaningful “first gift” that can stay with them throughout their life.
Whether you choose a name showcasing New Year’s optimism (using kanji like “新” or “初”) or one that highlights winter’s pristine charm (“雪,” “凜,” “澄”), the goal is to infuse it with love, hope, and positive energy. Take inspiration from these examples and tailor them to create a name that resonates with your family’s wishes for your new arrival.
Following our previous article on summer-themed Japanese names, we now turn to autumn—a season many Japanese consider the most artistic and reflective time of year. In Japan, nature’s colors transform in breathtaking ways, while cultural events celebrate both the harvest and creative pursuits. As with the other seasons, these autumnal qualities inspire parents to choose names that capture the essence of fall.
Sort by Most Kanji Variations
This is the order of names with many variations of kanji.
Basically, names with more variations are more common and familiar to the Japanese.
Sort by Most Viewed
The names are sorted by the number of times they have been viewed on this site. This ranking is based on the behavior of users around the world, including Japan, so it does not mean that the names are commonly viewed by Japanese people only.
Please note that just because a name has been viewed more times does not mean it is a famous name in Japan.
What is Hiragana?
Hiragana is a syllabary used in written Japanese, which originated from the cursive style of Kanji.
What is Katakana?
Katakana is also a Japanese syllabary. Basically, the characters don't have any meaning by themselves, they only represent the sounds.
Japanese try to express the words came from foreign languages with the most similar sounds in Japanese using Katakana.
What is English Transcription?
English Transcription is a term used when translating Japanese names into English. It represents a romanised version of the name with the aim of reproducing the pronunciation as accurately as possible. English Transcription can also be used for name searches.
Japanese Style Nickname
In Japan, nicknames are commonly used to express familiarity and affection. Here are key features and contexts:
Shortened Forms: Names are often shortened for ease and intimacy, such as 'Yuki' from 'Yukiko' or 'Taka' from 'Takashi'.
Suffixes: Terms like 'chan' for girls and 'kun' for boys are added to names among close friends and family. However, 'chan' can also be used for boys during childhood. Additionally, among adults who are very close, like best friends, 'chan' may still be used to convey affection and familiarity. More Details
Usage and Cultural Aspects: Nicknames are typically used in informal settings among friends, family, or close colleagues, and are not suitable for formal or professional environments. The use of a nickname suggests a degree of intimacy and should reflect the nature of the relationship. Young people often demonstrate creativity in their social interactions by crafting unique nicknames.
Note: In Japanese, the long vowel sound is indicated by a special character called a "chōonpu" (長音符), which looks like a horizontal dash (ー). This character serves to extend the duration of the vowel sound immediately preceding it. For instance, in the name "あーちゃん" (A-chan), the "あ" (A) is extended, producing a prolonged "ah" sound, similar to the "a" in "father."
Households?
The names are sorted by the number of Japanese households where the surname is used.
The more households there are, the more famous and common the surname is.
About this site's data of last names