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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!
Shouchan(しょうちゃん)
Shotchan(しょっちゃん)
Sho-chan(しょうちゃん)![]()
This name is considered unisex, but it's more commonly used for boys.
See the boys' version here.
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 "Syou," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
星 means "star, celestial, suspect."
Star - A celestial body visible at night.
Celestial - Relating to the sky or heavens.
Suspect - A person under investigation.
Aim - A target, a goal.
Star - Stars represent hope, guidance, and the eternal connection between heaven and earth. May your child be a guiding star, leading others with wisdom and shining brightly even in darkness.
Celestial - Being celestial represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be celestial, letting this quality guide their path.
Suspect - Children carry forward the hopes and dreams of their families. May your child fulfill the hopes placed in them and add their own.
Aim - Aim - A target, a goal - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of aim throughout life.
昭 means "bright, clear, illustrious."
Bright - Clear and luminous.
Illustrious - Famous and admired.
Obvious - Easily seen or understood
Bright - Brightness symbolizes intelligence, optimism, and a future full of promise. May your child's future be bright, filled with intelligence, joy, and boundless opportunity.
Illustrious - Being illustrious represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be illustrious, letting this quality guide their path.
Obvious - What is obvious brings clarity and eliminates confusion. May your child see the obvious truths that guide wise decisions.
晶 means "clear, crystal."
Clear - Clarity represents transparency, understanding, and the absence of confusion. May your child have clear vision and understanding in all of life's situations.
Crystal - Being crystal represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be crystal, letting this quality guide their path.
硝 means "nitrate, saltpeter, glass."
Nitrate - A chemical compound.
Saltpeter - Used in gunpowder.
Glass - Made from silica.
Mineral - A mineral used as a raw material for gunpowder and glass.
Nitrate - Nitrate - A chemical compound - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of nitrate throughout life.
Saltpeter - Saltpeter represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the saltpeter's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Glass - Glass - Made from silica - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of glass throughout life.
Mineral - Being mineral represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be mineral, letting this quality guide their path.
昌 means "prosperous, bright, excellent."
Prosperous - Thriving; flourishing; successful.
Excellent - Outstanding; splendid; admirable.
Splendid, Magnificent - Very impressive or beautiful.
Vigorous - Having or showing great energy, strength, or power.
Prosperous - Prosperity represents flourishing, abundance, and the success that comes from effort. May your child prosper in all good endeavors, flourishing in every season.
Bright - Brightness symbolizes intelligence, optimism, and a future full of promise. May your child's future be bright, filled with intelligence, joy, and boundless opportunity.
Excellent - Excellence represents the pursuit of the highest quality in all endeavors. May your child pursue excellence in all they do, always striving for their best.
Clear, Obvious - Clarity represents transparency, understanding, and the absence of confusion. May your child have clear vision and understanding in all of life's situations.
Distinct, Definite - Purity represents clarity, cleanliness, and uncorrupted goodness. May your child maintain a pure heart and clear conscience.
Splendid, Magnificent - Splendor represents magnificence, glory, and the dazzling beauty of achievement. May your child achieve splendid things, their glory brightening the world.
Vigorous - Being vigorous represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be vigorous, letting this quality guide their path.
菖 means "sweet flag, iris."
Sweet Flag - Sweet Flag - An aquatic plant (Acorus calamus) - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of sweet flag throughout life.
Iris - Iris (shobu) symbolizes strength, health, and victory, traditionally displayed on Boys' Day to wish for children's robust growth. May your child flourish with the iris's resilient spirit, growing strong and healthy.
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.
葉 means "leaf, foliage, era."
Leaf - The foliage of a plant.
Foliage - Leaves collectively.
Era - A period of time.
Parting - The end of something.
Sheet - A piece of paper or other material.
Leaf - Leaves represent life, growth, and the beauty of each passing season. May your child flourish like leaves in spring and gracefully accept change.
Foliage - Foliage - Leaves collectively - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of foliage throughout life.
Era - Eras mark significant periods of change and development in history. May your child live meaningfully in their era, contributing to its legacy.
Parting - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Sheet - Sheet - A piece of paper or other material - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of sheet throughout life.
唱 means "sing, chant, advocate."
Sing - To produce musical sounds.
Chant - To recite rhythmically.
Praise - To speak of someone or something in a positive way.
Recite - To read aloud from a written text.
Sing - Singing represents joy, expression, and lifting spirits. May your child sing with joy and lift the spirits of others.
Chant - Chant - To recite rhythmically - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of chant throughout life.
Praise - Praise represents recognition, encouragement, and celebrating what is good. May your child give and receive praise, celebrating goodness in all.
Recite - Writing preserves thought, enables communication, and spans time. May your child write their story well and read widely.
松 means "pine tree, longevity, prosperity."
Prosperity - Success and good fortune.
Pine Tree - The pine (matsu) represents longevity, constancy, and evergreen virtue. May your child possess the pine's evergreen spirit.
Longevity - Length represents endurance, patience, and the journey that extends through time. May your child have long patience and endurance for life's extended journeys.
Prosperity - Goodness and virtue form the foundation of a meaningful life. May your child embody goodness and cultivate virtue throughout life.
梢 means "treetop, tip, helm."
Treetop - The tip of a tree branch; the crown.
Helm - The rudder of a ship for steering.
End - The end or conclusion of something.
Rudder - A device used to control the direction of a boat.
Treetop - The treetop represents highest achievement, closest to sky, and crowning glory. May your child reach their crowning heights.
Tip - Sharpness represents clarity, precision, and cutting through confusion. May your child have a sharp mind that cuts through to truth.
Helm - Helm - The rudder of a ship for steering - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of helm throughout life.
End - Ending represents conclusion, completion, and making way for new beginnings. May your child end things well and embrace new beginnings.
Rudder - Rudder represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the rudder's dedication and skill in their life's work.
祥 means "auspicious, good omen, felicity."
Auspicious - Bringing Good Fortune; favorable and lucky.
Festival of Mourning - A celebration held after a period of mourning.
Happiness - A feeling of joy or contentment.
Memorial - A ceremony marking the end of mourning.
Auspicious - Auspiciousness brings good fortune and favorable circumstances. May your child's presence bring good fortune, their life marked by auspicious blessings.
Good Omen - Goodness is the foundation of all virtue, the light that guides moral action. May your child be truly good, their goodness lighting the way for others.
Felicity - Food represents sustenance, sharing, and the gifts of the earth. May your child be well nourished and share food generously.
Festival of Mourning - Festival Of Mourning represents active engagement and purposeful effort. May your child engage in festival of mourning with purpose and skill.
Happiness - Happiness in Japanese philosophy comes from acceptance, gratitude, and living in harmony. May your child find true happiness through gratitude, acceptance, and loving relationships.
Memorial - Being memorial represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be memorial, letting this quality guide their path.
笑 means "laugh, smile, joy."
Laugh - Laugh - To express amusement - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of laugh throughout life.
Smile - Smile - A facial expression of happiness - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of smile throughout life.
Joy - Joy is the spontaneous happiness that arises from a heart at peace with itself and the world. May your child overflow with joy, spreading happiness to everyone they meet.
粧 means "makeup, adorn."
Makeup - Cosmetics applied to the face.
Dress Up - To put on clothing or makeup to make oneself look more attractive.
Makeup - Making represents creativity, skill, and the ability to bring ideas into reality. May your child be a maker, bringing creative visions into tangible reality.
Adorn - Adorn - To Decorate; to beautify - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of adorn throughout life.
Dress Up - Up represents growth, improvement, and the continuous journey toward betterment. May your child always strive upward, growing and improving throughout life.
翔 means "soar, fly, detailed."
Soar - Soaring represents rising high, gliding on currents, and achieving heights. May your child soar to great heights.
Fly - Fly - To move through the air - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of fly throughout life.
Detailed - Details represent thoroughness, care, and attention to what matters. May your child attend to important details without losing sight of the whole.
聖 means "holy, saint, wise."
Imperial - Relating to the emperor.
Intelligent - Wise and knowledgeable.
Holy - Colors represent the variety and vibrancy of life's experiences. May your child's life be filled with beautiful colors and experiences.
Saint - Saints represent the highest moral achievement and devotion. May your child strive toward saintly goodness in their daily life.
Imperial - Being imperial represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be imperial, letting this quality guide their path.
Intelligent - Intelligence represents mental sharpness, learning ability, and problem-solving. May your child be intelligent, using their mind to solve problems and help others.
青 means "blue, green, young."
Blue-coated Horse - A horse with a blue-gray coat.
Green - The verdant appearance of plant leaves.
Fresh - Something that is young and vibrant.
Immature - Not yet fully developed.
Vibrant - Something that is full of life and energy.
Blue - Blue represents the sky and sea, symbolizing depth, trust, and infinite possibility. May your child have blue's depth and trustworthiness, vast as the sky and sea.
Blue-coated Horse - Blue represents the sky and sea, symbolizing depth, trust, and infinite possibility. May your child have blue's depth and trustworthiness, vast as the sky and sea.
Green - Green represents growth, youth, and the fresh vitality of spring. May your child remain ever-growing and vital, fresh as green spring leaves.
Young - Youth represents vitality, potential, and the fresh energy of new beginnings. May your child retain youthful vitality and the fresh energy of endless possibility.
Fresh - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Immature - Immature - Not yet fully developed - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of immature throughout life.
Vibrant - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
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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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