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 "Rihan," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
Carp - Carp swimming upstream symbolize perseverance and the courage to overcome obstacles. May your child swim upstream like the carp, transforming into a dragon through determination.
Koi - Names carry identity and meaning, shaping one's path through life. May your child's name bring them good fortune and guide their character.
Letter - Letters carry messages across distance and time, preserving thought in visible form. May your child's letters carry meaning, preserving wisdom for future generations.
Follow - To go along with someone or something, usually in a subordinate role.
Friend - A person who is part of a group or community, usually in a supportive role.
Name ideas examples
Companion - Companion - One who travels or lives with another - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of companion throughout life.
Together - Togetherness represents community, cooperation, and the strength of unity. May your child value togetherness, finding strength in community and cooperation.
Follow - Following represents learning, respect, and wise discipleship. May your child follow worthy examples and lead others well.
Friend - True friendship in Japan involves deep loyalty, mutual support, and lifelong bonds. May your child know the blessing of true friendship, both giving and receiving loyal support.
Jailer - A person who is in charge of a prison or jail.
Official - A person holding a public office or position of authority.
Name ideas examples
PlumTree - The plum tree (ume) blooms in late winter, symbolizing resilience, perseverance, and hope. As the first flower of spring, it represents renewal and endurance through hardship. May your child bloom courageously like the plum, even in life's coldest seasons.
Judge - Judges must balance justice with mercy, wisdom with fairness. May your child judge fairly and wisely in all matters of life.
Jailer - Jailer represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the jailer's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Official - Officials carry public trust and responsibility for good governance. May your child serve with integrity in whatever official capacity they hold.
Sorts names by how closely they match your search meaning. Names containing more kanji that match your search terms appear higher in the results.
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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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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
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Rihan
:りはん 
See the girls' version here.
