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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, contemplation."
Zen - A Buddhist practice of meditation and contemplation to focus the mind and gain insight into the nature of reality.
Abdication - The act of giving up a position of power or authority, such as a throne.
Meditation - It reflects the idea of focusing the mind and finding inner peace.
Zen Buddhism - It reflects the teachings of Zen Buddhism, which emphasize the importance of mindfulness and living in the present moment.
Abdication - It reflects the idea of giving up power or authority in order to make way for a new leader.
善 means "good, virtuous, kind."
Fortunate, Prosperous - Having good luck or success.
Respectable, Noble - Having a high status or being honorable.
Admirable, Praiseworthy - Deserving of admiration or respect.
Kind, Considerate - Showing kindness and thoughtfulness.
Harmonious, Friendly - Being in harmony or having a friendly relationship.
Good - Having a high quality or being admirable.
Fortunate - Having good luck or success.
Respectable - Having a high status or being honorable.
Admirable - Deserving of admiration or respect.
Kind - Showing kindness and thoughtfulness.
Harmonious - Being in harmony or having a friendly relationship.
全 means "all, whole, entire."
All, Everything - Completely without any flaws or defects.
Complete, Whole - All parts are present and intact. Everything is present.
Accomplish, Achieve - To do something without any problems or difficulties and to successfully complete it.
All, Everything - Symbolizing that the baby is perfect and complete in every way.
Complete, Whole - Representing that the baby is complete and has all the necessary components to be successful.
Accomplish, Achieve - Signifying that the baby will be able to accomplish and achieve all their goals in life.
桟 means "scaffold, jetty, wharf."
Bridge - A bridge made of wood that spans a steep cliff or other obstacle.
Shelf - A shelf made of boards.
Enclosure - A fence used to keep livestock.
Crossbar - A horizontal piece of wood used to prevent a board from sliding.
Frame - The bones of a door or a sliding screen.
Bridge - Symbolizing strength and stability, a bridge is a great name for a baby, as it conveys the idea of connecting two sides and overcoming obstacles.
Shelf - A shelf is a great name for a baby, as it symbolizes the idea of being organized and having a place for everything.
Enclosure - An enclosure is a great name for a baby, as it conveys the idea of protection and safety.
Crossbar - A crossbar is a great name for a baby, as it symbolizes the idea of being strong and resilient.
Frame - A frame is a great name for a baby, as it conveys the idea of being the foundation of something and having a strong structure.
繕 means "mend, repair, patch up."
Repair, Fix - To mend, repair, or restore something to its original condition.
Arrange, Organize - To put things in order or arrange them in a neat and orderly way.
Govern, Rule - To exercise authority over or control someone or something.
Prepare, Provide - To make ready or provide something for a particular purpose.
Strengthen, Fortify - To make something stronger or more powerful.
Arrange, Organize - To symbolize the hope that the baby will be organized and orderly in life.
Prepare, Provide - To symbolize the hope that the baby will be provided with all the necessary resources to succeed in life.
Strengthen, Fortify - To symbolize the hope that the baby will be strong and resilient in life.
前 means "front, before."
Before - Refers to something that is ahead in time or space.
In Advance - Refers to something that is done beforehand.
Past - Refers to something that happened in the past.
Guide - Refers to something that leads or guides.
Allocation - Refers to the amount or portion assigned to someone. For example, three servings of food.
Honorific - Refers to a title of respect used to refer to a noble person.
Forefront - It implies that the baby is a leader and will be at the forefront of whatever they do.
Preceding - It implies that the baby will be the first to do something and will be a pioneer in their field.
Past - It implies that the baby will have a strong connection to their past and will be able to draw on the wisdom of their ancestors.
Guide - It implies that the baby will be a source of guidance and will be able to lead others in the right direction.
Allocation - It implies that the baby will be able to manage resources and will be able to allocate them in a fair and equitable manner.
Noble - It implies that the baby will be of high status and will be respected by others.
泉 means "spring, fountain, well."
Spring - Water that flows from the ground.
Source - Water source.
Afterlife - The world after death. Heaven.
Currency - Money.
Spring - A symbol of life and renewal, a reminder of the beauty of nature.
Source - A reminder of the importance of having a strong foundation and a reliable source of support.
Afterlife - A reminder of the importance of living life to the fullest and cherishing the time we have.
Currency - A reminder of the importance of having financial stability and security.
漸 means "gradually, steadily, little by little."
Gradually - Progressing slowly and steadily over time.
Sign Of Something Happening - An indication that something is about to occur.
Beginning - The start of something.
Soak - To become saturated with a liquid.
Immerse - To become completely submerged in a liquid.
Moisten - To make something wet or damp.
River Flowing Into The Sea - A river that flows into the ocean.
Gradually, Progressively - To move forward slowly and steadily.
Sign, Omen - A sign or indication of something about to happen.
Beginning - The point in time or space at which something starts.
Soak, Saturate - To make something completely wet by immersing it in liquid.
River - A natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.
Mountain - A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
禪 means "zen, meditation, contemplation."
To Relinquish - The act of a ruler relinquishing their position.
Ceremony Of Offering The Land - A ritual performed by a ruler to honor the land.
To Surrender - This meaning implies a sense of humility and respect, and could be a good choice for a baby name to represent a sense of surrendering to the will of the universe.
To Transfer - This meaning implies a sense of passing on something of value, and could be a good choice for a baby name to represent a sense of passing on knowledge and wisdom to the next generation.
To Honor - This meaning implies a sense of reverence and respect, and could be a good choice for a baby name to represent a sense of honoring the traditions and customs of one's ancestors.
To Celebrate - This meaning implies a sense of joy and celebration, and could be a good choice for a baby name to represent a sense of celebrating life and all its wonders.
To Revere - This meaning implies a sense of awe and reverence, and could be a good choice for a baby name to represent a sense of revering the divine and the sacred.
然 means "nature, naturally, so, thus."
Affirmation, Agreement - Used to express affirmation or agreement.
State - Used to indicate a state when attached to other words. For example, "suddenly".
Connective - Used as a connective particle.
Burning - To burn.
Affirmation - A reminder of the importance of affirming and agreeing with others.
State - A reminder of the importance of being aware of one's state of mind and emotions.
Connective - A reminder of the importance of connecting with others.
Burning - A reminder of the importance of having a passionate and burning spirit.
Here are some sample tags. Choose 'English word meanings' and try searching for any English word you like!
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 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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