Share on your favorite
Or copy the link
Below are navigation links that will take you to the main text and navigation menus.
26,551 first names, 70,620 last names, 333,585 kanji variations.
one of the best Japanese name search tools for your baby!
Nacchan(なっちゃん)
Memekun( めめくん)
TsumeChan( つめちゃん)![]()
This name is considered unisex, but it's more commonly used for girls.
See the girls' version here.
This name is also used as a surname:
Natsume
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 "Natsume," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
夏 means "summer, grand, xia dynasty."
Summer - One of the four seasons; from the start of summer to the start of autumn; around June to August.
Xia Dynasty - The name of the oldest legendary dynasty in China.
Summer - Summer (夏) represents vitality, growth at its peak, and the fullness of life's energy. May your child embody summer's vibrant energy, living life at its fullest and brightest.
Grand - Grandness represents magnificence, noble ambition, and achieving great things. May your child dream grand dreams and achieve magnificent things with noble purpose.
Xia Dynasty - The Xia Dynasty represents ancient origins, the foundation upon which later civilizations were built. May your child appreciate their origins, building upon the foundations of those who came before.
目 means "eye, item, appearance."
Eye - The organ of sight.
Appearance - Looks; how things seem.
Counter - A suffix for ordinal numbers.
Discernment - The ability to distinguish or recognize.
Head - A person in charge.
Look - To observe or examine.
Mesh - The holes in a net or sieve.
Name - A title or label.
Officer - The fourth rank of a government official.
Order - A way of counting or ranking things.
Point - An essential element or detail.
Taxonomy - A unit of biological classification.
Eye - Eyes represent perception, understanding, and the window to the soul. May your child see clearly with eyes that perceive truth and understand deeply.
Item - Item - A Category; a division - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of item throughout life.
Appearance - Appearance represents presentation, first impressions, and outer form. May your child's appearance reflect their inner beauty.
Counter - Counter represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the counter's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Discernment - Discernment represents an important condition or result. May your child experience positive discernment throughout life.
Head - Head represents leadership, thought, and the directing principle of action. May your child lead with wisdom, their head guiding good decisions.
Look - Looking represents seeking, attention, and directed focus. May your child look for the good and find it everywhere.
Mesh - Mesh - The holes in a net or sieve - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of mesh throughout life.
Name - Naming represents identity, recognition, and giving meaning. May your child's name bring them honor and purpose.
Officer - Officer represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the officer's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Order - Order represents harmony, organization, and the structure that enables progress. May your child bring order and harmony to the situations they encounter.
Point - Points represent focus, direction, and specific meaning. May your child make their points clearly and listen to others.
Taxonomy - Measurement enables fair assessment and proper understanding. May your child measure what matters by proper standards.
夏 means "summer, grand, xia dynasty."
Summer - One of the four seasons; from the start of summer to the start of autumn; around June to August.
Xia Dynasty - The name of the oldest legendary dynasty in China.
Summer - Summer (夏) represents vitality, growth at its peak, and the fullness of life's energy. May your child embody summer's vibrant energy, living life at its fullest and brightest.
Grand - Grandness represents magnificence, noble ambition, and achieving great things. May your child dream grand dreams and achieve magnificent things with noble purpose.
Xia Dynasty - The Xia Dynasty represents ancient origins, the foundation upon which later civilizations were built. May your child appreciate their origins, building upon the foundations of those who came before.
芽 means "bud, sprout, beginning."
Bud - A new growth on a plant.
Sprout - To begin to grow.
Sign - An indication or warning of something about to happen.
Start - The beginning of something.
Bud - Newness represents fresh starts, innovation, and untapped potential. May your child embrace what is new while honoring what endures.
Sprout - Sprouts symbolize new beginnings and the breakthrough of life through obstacles. May your child break through obstacles with the sprout's determined growth.
Sign - Signs represent communication, indication, and meaningful symbols. May your child recognize important signs and communicate clearly.
Start - Starting represents beginning, initiative, and fresh starts. May your child start new ventures with courage and enthusiasm.
夏 means "summer, grand, xia dynasty."
Summer - One of the four seasons; from the start of summer to the start of autumn; around June to August.
Xia Dynasty - The name of the oldest legendary dynasty in China.
Summer - Summer (夏) represents vitality, growth at its peak, and the fullness of life's energy. May your child embody summer's vibrant energy, living life at its fullest and brightest.
Grand - Grandness represents magnificence, noble ambition, and achieving great things. May your child dream grand dreams and achieve magnificent things with noble purpose.
Xia Dynasty - The Xia Dynasty represents ancient origins, the foundation upon which later civilizations were built. May your child appreciate their origins, building upon the foundations of those who came before.
瑪 means "gemstone, agate."
Agate - A colorful semi-precious stone.
Agate - Sound represents communication, expression, and making oneself heard. May your child's voice be heard and may they listen well.
夏 means "summer, grand, xia dynasty."
Summer - One of the four seasons; from the start of summer to the start of autumn; around June to August.
Xia Dynasty - The name of the oldest legendary dynasty in China.
Summer - Summer (夏) represents vitality, growth at its peak, and the fullness of life's energy. May your child embody summer's vibrant energy, living life at its fullest and brightest.
Grand - Grandness represents magnificence, noble ambition, and achieving great things. May your child dream grand dreams and achieve magnificent things with noble purpose.
Xia Dynasty - The Xia Dynasty represents ancient origins, the foundation upon which later civilizations were built. May your child appreciate their origins, building upon the foundations of those who came before.
馬 means "horse, large, shogi piece."
Horse - A mammal of the equine family; a domesticated animal.
Large - A metaphor for something big.
Shogi Piece - The "dragon horse" or "knight" in Japanese chess.
Metaphor - A large animal used as a metaphor.
Horse - The horse (午) symbolizes freedom, vitality, and the spirit of adventure. May your child run free like the horse, full of energy and adventurous spirit.
Large - Largeness represents generosity, capacity, and the ability to encompass much. May your child have a large heart and mind, generous and encompassing.
Shogi Piece - Darkness teaches the value of light and the peace of rest. May your child find peace in quiet moments and value the light.
Metaphor - Metaphor represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the metaphor's dedication and skill in their life's work.
捺 means "press, stamp."
Press - Press - To push down firmly - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of press throughout life.
Stamp - The stamp represents marking, authenticating, and leaving impression. May your child leave good impressions.
Secure - Places hold meaning, memory, and the context for our lives. May your child find their place in the world and make it better.
芽 means "bud, sprout, beginning."
Bud - A new growth on a plant.
Sprout - To begin to grow.
Sign - An indication or warning of something about to happen.
Start - The beginning of something.
Bud - Newness represents fresh starts, innovation, and untapped potential. May your child embrace what is new while honoring what endures.
Sprout - Sprouts symbolize new beginnings and the breakthrough of life through obstacles. May your child break through obstacles with the sprout's determined growth.
Sign - Signs represent communication, indication, and meaningful symbols. May your child recognize important signs and communicate clearly.
Start - Starting represents beginning, initiative, and fresh starts. May your child start new ventures with courage and enthusiasm.
捺 means "press, stamp."
Press - Press - To push down firmly - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of press throughout life.
Stamp - The stamp represents marking, authenticating, and leaving impression. May your child leave good impressions.
Secure - Places hold meaning, memory, and the context for our lives. May your child find their place in the world and make it better.
要 means "need, essential, summarize."
Accounting - Accounting book, ledger, securities, promissory note.
Certainly, Definitely - Certainly, definitely.
Govern, Organize - To organize, to tie together, to conclude.
Necessary, Important - To require, to be essential, to be important, to summarize, to simplify, to conclude.
Threaten - To threaten, to coerce.
Waist - To wear around the waist, to put around the waist.
Need - Needing represents requirements, dependence, and humility. May your child recognize their needs and meet the needs of others.
Essential - Being essential represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be essential, letting this quality guide their path.
Summarize - Summarize - To Condense; to conclude - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of summarize throughout life.
Accounting - Noble titles carry both honor and responsibility to serve others. May your child carry themselves with dignity and serve others honorably.
Ambush, Wait - Ambush/Wait - To ambush, to welcome, to wait - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of ambush/wait throughout life.
Bind, Vow - Bind/Vow - To bind, to swear, to promise, to covenant - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of bind/vow throughout life.
Certainly, Definitely - Certainly/Definitely - Certainly, definitely - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of certainly/definitely throughout life.
Govern, Organize - Governance represents ordered rule, wise administration, and care for those led. May your child govern themselves first, then lead others with wisdom and care.
Necessary, Important - Necessary/Important - To require, to be essential, to be important, to s - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of necessary/important throughout life.
Request, Desire - Request/Desire - To ask for, to wish for - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of request/desire throughout life.
Threaten - Food represents sustenance, sharing, and the gifts of the earth. May your child be well nourished and share food generously.
Waist - Waist represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the waist's dedication and skill in their life's work.
奈 means "fruit tree, question particle."
Question Particle - An interrogative or rhetorical expression.
Nashi - A type of pear, also known as the Asian pear.
Fruit Tree - Fruit trees represent patient cultivation and sweet harvest. May your child cultivate and harvest sweetness.
Question Particle - Question particles enable inquiry and the pursuit of understanding. May your child always maintain a questioning, curious mind.
Nashi - Nashi - A type of pear, also known as the Asian pear - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of nashi throughout life.
津 means "port, ferry crossing, fluid."
Port - A harbor for ships.
Fluid - Body liquids like saliva.
Clue, Guide - A hint or indication that can be used to lead someone in the right direction.
Moisture - Water that seeps, gushes, overflows, or moistens something.
Port - Port - A harbor for ships - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of port throughout life.
Ferry Crossing - The ferry crossing represents transition, helpful passage, and guided journey. May your child be helped across life's waters.
Fluid - Fluid - Body liquids like saliva - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of fluid throughout life.
Clue, Guide - Directions guide us on our journey, helping us find our way. May your child always find their direction in life.
Moisture - Moisture represents subtle nourishment, gentle sustenance, and pervasive blessing. May your child receive pervasive blessings.
瞳 means "pupil, innocent gaze."
Pupil - The dark center of the eye; the window of the soul.
Ignorance - A lack of knowledge or understanding.
Unconsciously Looking - A state of looking without thought or awareness.
Pupil - Wind represents change, movement, and the breath of nature. May your child move freely like the wind, bringing fresh energy.
Innocent Gaze - The innocent gaze represents pure seeing, childlike wonder, and unclouded vision. May your child retain pure vision.
Ignorance - Sharpness represents clarity, precision, and cutting through confusion. May your child have a sharp mind that cuts through to truth.
Unconsciously Looking - 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.
Names that have the same gender and start with N.
7,447 views
14,026 views
8,109 views
5,841 views
8,257 views
2,191 views
4,342 views
1,790 views
3,618 views
2,907 views
Here are some sample tags. Choose 'English word meanings' and try searching for any English word you like!
Sort by: Most Relevant
Sorts names by how closely they match your search meaning. Names containing more kanji that match your search terms appear higher in the results.
Sort by: Most Kanji Variations
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).
Sort by: Most Viewed
Sorts names by page views on this site. Views reflect global traffic (including Japan), so this does not represent popularity among Japanese people only. A high view count does not necessarily mean the name is famous in Japan.
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
Success
Migration completed successfully!