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26,551 first names, 70,620 last names, 333,585 kanji variations.
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Houchan(ほうちゃん)
Shi-chan( しーちゃん)
Shishan( ししゃん)![]()
This name is also used as a surname:
Houshi
In Japanese culture, kanji are characters that originated from Chinese script, and the meaning of a name changes depending on the kanji characters chosen. The more variations of kanji a name has, the more common it is in Japan. Conversely, a name with very few kanji variations is considered unique and rare. Below are the kanji variations for "Houshi," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
法 means "law, method, buddhist teaching."
Method - A way of doing things.
Division, Fraction - This could refer to dividing something into fractions or parts.
Model, Example, Pattern - This could refer to using something as a model or example to follow.
Law - Law represents order, justice, and the rules that enable society. May your child respect just laws and work to improve unjust ones.
Method - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Buddhist Teaching - Buddhist Teaching represents active engagement and purposeful effort. May your child engage in buddhist teaching with purpose and skill.
Division, Fraction - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Model, Example, Pattern - Models represent standards, examples, and patterns worthy of imitation. May your child be a model for others, worthy of imitation in character.
嗣 means "heir, succeed, continue."
Heir - One who inherits.
Succeed - To follow in position.
To Succeed - To take over and continue the legacy of a family or lineage.
Continue - To carry on a legacy.
Heir - Heirs inherit not just wealth but also responsibility and tradition. May your child be a worthy heir, honoring their inheritance with responsibility.
Succeed - Succeeding represents achievement, reaching goals, and accomplishment. May your child succeed in worthy pursuits and help others succeed.
To Succeed - The act of succeed represents purposeful action and the will to make a difference. May your child succeed with wisdom and purpose, making a positive difference in the world.
Continue - Continuing represents persistence, dedication, and steady progress. May your child continue forward with determination through all challenges.
鳳 means "phoenix, male phoenix, imperial."
Phoenix - The phoenix (鳳凰) represents rebirth, immortality, and the empress in Japanese imperial symbolism. May your child rise renewed like the phoenix from every challenge, embodying immortal grace.
Male Phoenix - The phoenix (鳳凰) represents rebirth, immortality, and the empress in Japanese imperial symbolism. May your child rise renewed like the phoenix from every challenge, embodying immortal grace.
Imperial - Being imperial represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be imperial, letting this quality guide their path.
師 means "teacher, expert, army."
Expert - A Skilled Professional; a specialist.
City - A place where many people gather.
Master - A person who is highly skilled in a craft or art.
Military - A unit of 2,500 soldiers in ancient times.
Teacher - Teachers shape future generations, passing on wisdom and nurturing growth. May your child have the teacher's gift of inspiring others to learn and grow.
Expert - Expertise represents mastery, deep knowledge, and skilled accomplishment. May your child become an expert in their chosen field through dedicated practice.
Army - Army - A military force; troops - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of army throughout life.
City - Cities represent civilization, opportunity, and the gathering of diverse peoples. May your child thrive in cities, finding opportunity amid civilization's diversity.
Master - Mastery comes through dedicated practice and the humility to remain always a student. May your child pursue mastery in their chosen path, dedicated to lifelong improvement.
Military - Age brings wisdom, experience, and connection to the past. May your child respect what is old and learn from history.
Model - Models represent standards, examples, and patterns worthy of imitation. May your child be a model for others, worthy of imitation in character.
鳳 means "phoenix, male phoenix, imperial."
Phoenix - The phoenix (鳳凰) represents rebirth, immortality, and the empress in Japanese imperial symbolism. May your child rise renewed like the phoenix from every challenge, embodying immortal grace.
Male Phoenix - The phoenix (鳳凰) represents rebirth, immortality, and the empress in Japanese imperial symbolism. May your child rise renewed like the phoenix from every challenge, embodying immortal grace.
Imperial - Being imperial represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be imperial, letting this quality guide their path.
志 means "aspiration, will, record."
Aspiration - A Goal or Ambition; a purpose.
Will - Determination; intention to achieve.
Document - To record or document.
Resolution - A goal or objective determined in one's heart.
Shima - An abbreviation of Shima.
Writings - A record written down. A book.
Aspiration - Aspiration represents a significant process or state. May your child understand and embody the meaning of aspiration.
Will - Will - Determination; intention to achieve - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of will throughout life.
Record - Records preserve memory, document truth, and maintain accountability. May your child leave good records of their life, documenting worthy achievements.
Document - Documents represent knowledge preserved, records, and lasting communication. May your child document their wisdom for future generations.
Resolution - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Shima - Shima - An abbreviation of Shima - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of shima throughout life.
Writings - Writings - A record written down - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of writings throughout life.
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Sorts names by how many different kanji spellings they have. In general, names with more variants tend to be more familiar and widespread in Japan (with some exceptions).
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What is Hiragana?
Hiragana is one of the two Japanese syllabaries. Each character represents a sound (mora), not a meaning. It is used for native words, grammatical particles, verb/adjective endings (okurigana), and to show pronunciation above kanji (furigana). It developed from cursive forms of kanji.
What is Katakana?
Katakana is one of the two Japanese syllabaries. Each character represents a sound (mora), not a meaning. It is mainly used to write foreign words and names, loanwords, onomatopoeia, and for emphasis.
What are English Syllables?
A syllable is a unit of pronunciation in English — it’s the beat you hear when you say a word.
Here are a few quick examples:
cat = 1 syllable
ba-by = 2 syllables
beau-ti-ful = 3 syllables
On this site, English Syllables show how a name naturally breaks into sounds when spoken in English. This helps you understand how English speakers naturally say the name and where they pause between sounds.
What are Japanese Morae?
A mora (plural: morae, Japanese: 拍 Haku) is the basic unit of sound in Japanese — think of it as one rhythmic “beat” when speaking.
Here are a few quick examples:
あ (a) = 1 mora
あい (a-i) = 2 morae
きょう (kyo-u) = 2 morae
On this site, Japanese Morae show how many “beats” a name has in Japanese. Most Japanese names have about 2–4 morae, which affects how natural and rhythmic the name sounds to native speakers.
This helps you see how the name fits into the natural rhythm of Japanese speech.
What is English Transcription?
“English transcription” (romanization) is the romanized form of a Japanese name, intended to reproduce its pronunciation as closely as possible. It is also useful for searching names on this site.
Japanese-Style Nicknames
In Japan, nicknames are used to express familiarity and affection. Typical features include:
Shortened forms: Names are often shortened for closeness, e.g., “Yuki” from “Yukiko” or “Taka” from “Takashi”.
Suffixes: Terms like “-chan” (often for girls, also for young children) and “-kun” (often for boys) are used among family and close friends. Among very close adults, “-chan” may still be used. More details
Use & context: Nicknames are informal—common among friends, family, or close colleagues—and are not suitable for formal or professional settings. Their use implies a certain degree of intimacy.
Long vowels: The long vowel mark “chōonpu” (ー) extends the preceding vowel. For example, “あーちゃん” (A-chan) lengthens the “あ” sound.
Households
Sorts surnames by the estimated number of Japanese households that use them. More households generally indicates a more common or well-known surname.
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