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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!
This name is also used as a first name: Ban
In Japanese culture, kanji are characters that originated from Chinese script, and the meaning of a name changes depending on the kanji characters chosen. Even surnames with the same pronunciation can have different meanings based on the kanji used. Below are the kanji variations for "Ban," listed in order of popularity based on household usage in Japan.
Introduction to how Japanese names work About this site's data of last names
伴 means "companion, accompany, partner."
Accompany - To go with someone or something, usually in a supportive role.
Follow - To go along with someone or something, usually in a subordinate role.
Go Together - To do something together, usually in a cooperative manner.
Companion - A person who accompanies another, usually in a friendly or supportive role.
Friend - A person who is part of a group or community, usually in a supportive role.
番 means "turn, number, order."
Taking Turns, Alternating - Exchanging one thing for another, taking turns.
Order, Sequence, Rank - The order in which something is done or comes.
Number - The total amount of something.
Combination Of Male And Female - A pair of two things, usually male and female.
Attaching An Arrow To A Bowstring - To attach an arrow to a bowstring.
坂 means "slope, hill, incline."
Slope - A piece of land that is sloped or inclined.
Embankment - A structure built to hold back water or soil.
Dyke - A wall or embankment built to prevent flooding.
判 means "judgment, decision, discernment."
Understand, Comprehend - To clearly understand something.
Distinguish, Discern - To differentiate between good and bad.
Coin - An old form of currency, such as a large or small denomination.
Size - The dimensions of a paper or other object.
藩 means "domain, feudal domain."
万 means "ten thousand."
Ten Thousand - This is a number name that is ten times the number of thousand.
All - This refers to everything or all of something.
Never - This refers to something that will never happen, no matter what.
Absolutely - This refers to something that is certain and without doubt.
播 means "to sow, to plant, to broadcast."
Sowing - To scatter seeds in a field or other area.
Spreading - To widely disseminate or make widely known.
Abbreviation - An abbreviation of the old place name Harima(播磨).
蕃 means "barbarian, foreigner."
To Proliferate - To grow and flourish.
To Spread - To extend or expand.
To Increase - To become greater in number or size.
Fence - A barrier or enclosure.
Covering - Something that covers or conceals.
Enclosure - A space surrounded by a barrier or boundary.
Ebisu - A Japanese god of fortune and prosperity.
Foreigners - People from other countries.
方 means "direction, way, side."
Direction - Facing, orientation, direction, angle.
Destination - Place to go.
Region - Countryside, area, certain region.
Shape - Square, rectangle, square shape.
Righteousness - Being honest, being proper.
Arrangement - Line up, line up in a row.
Comparison - Compare, contrast.
Method - Means, technique.
Timing - Suitable time.
Squaring - Multiplying the same number, square, square root.
Honorific - Title to call someone.
Responsibility - Person in charge.
The list contains people mentioned in Wikipedia. All JP links are in Japanese only. Sorry!
Last names that have the same initial of B.
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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.
About our last-name data