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26,551 first names, 70,620 last names, 333,585 kanji variations.
one of the best Japanese name search tools for your baby!
Nobuchan(のぶちゃん)
Nobita( のびた)
Noppi( のっピー)![]()
This name is considered unisex, but it's more commonly used for boys.
See the boys' version here.
This name is also used as a surname:
Nobu
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 "Nobu," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
存 means "exist, survive, know."
Exist - To be; to have being.
Ask - To inquire about someone's well-being.
Console - To provide comfort or consolation.
Endure - To live or survive.
Think - To consider or ponder.
Exist - Existing represents being, presence, and the gift of life. May your child exist with purpose and meaning.
Survive - Being survive represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be survive, letting this quality guide their path.
Know - Knowing represents understanding, certainty, and wisdom. May your child know truth and share knowledge generously.
Ask - Asking represents humility, curiosity, and seeking help. May your child ask good questions and seek wisdom.
Console - Console - To provide comfort or consolation - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of console throughout life.
Endure - Enduring represents perseverance, strength, and lasting through challenges. May your child endure difficulties with grace and emerge stronger.
Preserve - Preserving represents protection, keeping safe, and honoring heritage. May your child preserve valuable traditions and protect what matters.
Think - Thinking represents reflection, reason, and mental engagement. May your child think deeply and clearly about important matters.
暢 means "stretch, smooth, spread."
To Extend or Stretch Out - This refers to the act of making something longer or wider.
Spread - To Reach Throughout; to pervade.
Stretch - Stretching represents growth, extension, and expanding capacity. May your child stretch beyond their comfort zone and grow.
To Extend or Stretch Out - The act of extend or stretch out represents purposeful action and the will to make a difference. May your child extend or stretch out with wisdom and purpose, making a positive difference in the world.
Smooth - Smoothness represents ease, polish, and freedom from obstacles. May your child's path be smooth and their manner polished.
Spread - Spreading represents sharing, expansion, and the dissemination of good. May your child spread kindness and knowledge wherever they go.
野 means "field, outskirts, civilian."
Civilian - Private sector as opposed to government.
Open - The wide open spaces, with no boundaries or restrictions.
Rough - Unrestrained; wild.
Uncivilized - Barbarous; undeveloped.
Uninhabited - The lack of human presence in the area.
Unpretentious - The simplicity and lack of ornamentation.
Field - Fields represent labor, harvest, and the fertile ground for growth. May your child's fields be fertile, their labor bringing abundant harvest.
Outskirts - Noble titles carry both honor and responsibility to serve others. May your child carry themselves with dignity and serve others honorably.
Civilian - Civilian represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the civilian's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Area - Area - Domain; realm; range - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of area throughout life.
Country House - House represents shelter, protection, and the physical space of family life. May your child always have a house to shelter them, sturdy and welcoming.
Crude - Crude - Plain; unpolished; rustic; vulgar - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of crude throughout life.
Open - Opening represents access, opportunity, and welcoming. May your child open doors of opportunity for themselves and others.
Rough - Rough - Unrestrained; wild - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of rough throughout life.
Uncivilized - Uncivilized - Barbarous; undeveloped - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of uncivilized throughout life.
Uninhabited - Places hold meaning, memory, and the context for our lives. May your child find their place in the world and make it better.
Unpretentious - Being unpretentious represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be unpretentious, letting this quality guide their path.
歩 means "to walk, gait, to measure."
To Walk - Walking represents steady progress, presence, and enjoying the journey. May your child walk through life with steady presence, enjoying the journey.
To Measure - Measure represents balance, proportion, and the wisdom of knowing limits. May your child know the measure of all things, balanced and proportionate.
Gait - Gait - Walking Style; manner of progress - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of gait throughout life.
Area Unit - Measurement units enable fair assessment and proper understanding. May your child measure what matters by proper standards.
Interest Rate - Measurement enables fair assessment and proper understanding. May your child measure what matters by proper standards.
Pace - Paths represent journeys, choices, and the direction of life. May your child find good paths and walk them with courage.
Ratio - Ratio - A Rate; proportion - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of ratio throughout life.
Shogi Piece - Shogi Piece - The "pawn" in Japanese chess - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of shogi piece throughout life.
Unit of Length - Units of measure represent standards, consistency, and fair measurement. May your child measure their life by meaningful standards.
Walk, Walked - Walking represents steady progress, presence, and enjoying the journey. May your child walk through life with steady presence, enjoying the journey.
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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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