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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!
Zenchan(ぜんちゃん)
Zenkun(ぜんくん)
Zentan(ぜんたん)![]()
This name is considered unisex, but it's more commonly used for boys.
See the girls' version here.
This name is also used as a surname:
Zen
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 "Zen," ranked by the total number of "Good!" votes.
禅 means "zen, meditation, abdicate."
Zen - A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and intuition.
Meditation - Deep Contemplation; focused mental discipline.
Abdicate - To give up the throne (historical meaning).
Abdication - The act of giving up a position of power or authority, such as a throne.
Zen - Zen - A school of Buddhism emphasizing meditation and in - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of zen throughout life.
Meditation - Depth represents profundity, thorough understanding, and solid foundation. May your child develop depth of character and understanding.
Abdicate - Abdicate - To give up the throne (historical meaning) - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of abdicate throughout life.
Abdication - Strength represents resilience, capability, and the power to overcome. May your child develop strength of body, mind, and character.
善 means "good, excellent, kind."
Kind - Benevolent; friendly.
Admirable, Praiseworthy - Deserving of admiration or respect.
Fortunate, Prosperous - Having good luck or success.
Harmonious, Friendly - Being in harmony or having a friendly relationship.
Respectable, Noble - Having a high status or being honorable.
Good - 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.
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.
Kind - Kindness represents compassion, consideration, and gentle treatment. May your child be kind to all they meet.
Admirable, Praiseworthy - Admirable/Praiseworthy - Deserving of admiration or respect - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of admirable/praiseworthy throughout life.
Fortunate, Prosperous - Being fortunate/prosperous represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be fortunate/prosperous, letting this quality guide their path.
Harmonious, Friendly - Harmonious/Friendly - Being in harmony or having a friendly relationship - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of harmonious/friendly throughout life.
Respectable, Noble - Respect (敬) is fundamental to Japanese social harmony, honoring the dignity of all beings. May your child show and earn respect, honoring others while being worthy of honor themselves.
全 means "all, complete, whole."
Accomplish, Achieve - To do something without any problems or difficulties and to successfully complete it.
All - All represents completeness, wholeness, and embracing the totality of existence. May your child embrace all of life—its joys and sorrows—with a whole and complete heart.
Complete - Completing represents fulfillment, wholeness, and thorough accomplishment. May your child complete their tasks and fulfill their purpose.
Whole - Whole - Undivided; full - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of whole throughout life.
Accomplish, Achieve - Accomplishment represents achievement, completion, and the satisfaction of finishing. May your child accomplish great things, completing what they set out to do.
桟 means "pier, bridge, shelf."
Pier - A platform extending over water.
Bridge - A plank walkway.
Shelf - A horizontal surface for storage.
Crossbar - A horizontal piece of wood used to prevent a board from sliding.
Enclosure - A fence used to keep livestock.
Frame - A structural support.
Pier - Pier represents a role of purpose and contribution to society. May your child embody the pier's dedication and skill in their life's work.
Bridge - Bridges connect what is separated, overcoming obstacles and creating union. May your child be a bridge-builder, connecting people and overcoming divisions.
Shelf - Shelf - A horizontal surface for storage - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of shelf throughout life.
Crossbar - The crossbar represents connection, stability, and joining elements. May your child create stable connections.
Enclosure - Enclosures represent protection, defined space, and secure boundaries. May your child create safe enclosures for what they treasure.
Frame - Frame - A structural support - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of frame throughout life.
繕 means "mend, repair, arrange."
Repair - To restore to good condition.
Govern, Rule - To exercise authority over or control someone or something.
Strengthen, Fortify - To make something stronger or more powerful.
Mend - Mend - To Repair; to fix what is broken - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of mend throughout life.
Repair - Repairing represents restoration, healing, and making whole again. May your child repair relationships and restore what is broken.
Arrange - Arrangement represents order, organization, and creating harmony from elements. May your child arrange their life well, creating order and harmony.
Copy, Duplicate - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Govern, Rule - Governance represents ordered rule, wise administration, and care for those led. May your child govern themselves first, then lead others with wisdom and care.
Prepare - Prepare - To make ready; to set in order - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of prepare throughout life.
Strengthen, Fortify - Strength includes not just physical power, but the inner fortitude to endure and persevere. May your child have strength of body, mind, and spirit to face all of life's challenges.
前 means "front, before, previous."
Front - The forward part.
Before - Earlier in time.
Previous - Coming before.
Ahead - In advance.
Allocation - The amount or portion assigned to someone. For example, three servings of food.
Guide - Something that leads or guides.
Honorific - A title of respect used to refer to a noble person.
Past - Something that happened in the past.
Front - Front represents courage, leadership, and the willingness to face challenges directly. May your child have the courage to be at the front, facing life's challenges head-on.
Before - Before - Earlier in time - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of before throughout life.
Previous - Being previous represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be previous, letting this quality guide their path.
Ahead - Ahead - In advance - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of ahead throughout life.
Allocation - Numbers represent order, measure, and the foundation of understanding. May your child understand the importance of what can and cannot be counted.
Guide - Guiding represents leadership, wisdom, and helping others find their way. May your child guide others with wisdom and compassion.
Honorific - Honorifics reflect respect, social harmony, and proper recognition of others. May your child both earn and give respect appropriately throughout life.
Past - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
泉 means "spring, source, afterlife."
Afterlife - The world of the dead.
Spring - Spring represents renewal, new beginnings, and the awakening of life after dormancy. May your child carry spring's energy of renewal, beginning each day with fresh hope.
Source - Source - The Origin; the beginning - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of source throughout life.
Afterlife - Afterlife - The world of the dead - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of afterlife throughout life.
漸 means "gradually, slowly, eventually."
Eventually - In Due Time; finally.
Beginning - The start of something.
Immerse - To become completely submerged in a liquid.
Moisten - To make something wet or damp.
Progress - To advance steadily forward.
River Flowing Into the Sea - A river that flows into the ocean.
Sign of Something Happening - An indication that something is about to occur.
Soak - To become saturated with a liquid.
Gradually - Gradually - Step by step; progressively - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of gradually throughout life.
Slowly - Slowness represents care, thoroughness, and the wisdom of not rushing. May your child take time to do things well, patient and thorough in all endeavors.
Eventually - Eventually - In due time; finally - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of eventually throughout life.
Beginning - Beginning represents the courage to start, the first step of every journey. May your child have the courage to begin, taking first steps toward great destinations.
Immerse - Immerse - To become completely submerged in a liquid - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of immerse throughout life.
Moisten - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Progress - 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.
River Flowing Into the Sea - Rivers symbolize the continuous flow of life, perseverance, and the journey toward the sea. May your child's life flow steadily like a river, carving their own path with quiet determination.
Sign of Something Happening - Objects serve purposes and remind us of what matters. May your child value things for their true worth and purpose.
Soak - Soak - To become saturated with a liquid - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of soak throughout life.
Steep Mountain - The steep mountain represents challenging climbs and hard-won heights. May your child conquer life's steep challenges.
禪 means "zen, abdicate, ritual."
Zen - Buddhist meditation.
Abdicate - To give up the throne.
Ritual - A ceremony to heaven.
Ceremony of Offering the Land - A ritual performed by a ruler to honor the land.
To Relinquish - The act of a ruler relinquishing their position.
Zen - Zen - Buddhist meditation - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of zen throughout life.
Abdicate - Abdicate - To give up the throne - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of abdicate throughout life.
Ritual - Being ritual represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be ritual, letting this quality guide their path.
Ceremony of Offering the Land - Earth represents stability, nurturing, and solid foundation. May your child stand on solid ground with deep roots.
To Relinquish - The act of relinquish represents purposeful action and the will to make a difference. May your child relinquish with wisdom and purpose, making a positive difference in the world.
然 means "so, natural, burn."
Burn - To be on fire.
Affirmation, Agreement - Used to express affirmation or agreement.
Connective - Used as a connective particle.
State - Used to indicate a state when attached to other words. For example, "suddenly".
So - So - In that manner; thus - carries meaning in Japanese naming tradition. May your child embody the positive aspects of so throughout life.
Natural - Being natural represents a valuable quality that enriches character and life. May your child be natural, letting this quality guide their path.
Burn - Fire represents passion, transformation, and purifying energy. May your child burn with passion for worthy causes.
Affirmation, Agreement - Affirmation/Agreement represents an important condition or result. May your child experience positive affirmation/agreement throughout life.
Connective - Connection represents the bonds that link people, ideas, and communities together. May your child connect deeply with others, building bridges of understanding.
State - State represents condition, status, and the current circumstance of being. May your child maintain a good state of mind, body, and spirit.
Here are some sample tags. Choose 'English word meanings' and try searching for any English word you like!
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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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