In Japanese culture, kanji are characters that originated from Chinese script, and the meaning of a name changes depending on the kanji characters chosen. A name with only one kanji variation is considered unique and rare in Japan. Below is the kanji representation of "Kotomu."
Fief - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.
Dice - Dice - Cubes used in games - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of dice throughout life.
Beauty - Japanese beauty (美) encompasses both outer form and inner grace, with emphasis on simplicity and nature. May your child embody true beauty—simple, natural, and radiating from within.
Form - Forming represents shaping, developing, and bringing into being. May your child form good habits and shape their character well.
Harvest - Harvest represents the reward of patient labor and the abundance of nature. May your child enjoy rich harvests from all they cultivate in life.
Select - Selecting represents wisdom, choice, and careful decision-making. May your child select wisely in all of life's important choices.
Military - Conflict teaches the value of peace and the courage to stand firm. May your child fight for what is right and seek peace when possible.
Brave - Brave-Courageous; valiant - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of brave throughout life.
War - War reminds us of peace's value and the importance of conflict resolution. May your child work for peace, understanding war's terrible cost.
Warrior - Warriors embody courage, discipline, and the protection of others. May your child have a warrior's spirit, brave and disciplined.
Strong and Fierce - Strength includes physical power, mental fortitude, and moral courage. May your child be strong in body, mind, and spirit, facing all with courage.
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.
Trace - Tracing represents following wisdom, learning from the past, and careful study. May your child trace paths of wisdom left by those before them.
Unit of Measurement - Measure represents balance, proportion, and the wisdom of knowing limits. May your child know the measure of all things, balanced and proportionate.
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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. About our last-name data
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Kotomu
:ことむ 
See the girls' version here.
