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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: Kou
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 "Kou," 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
小 means "small, little, tiny."
Small - Refers to something that is of a small size or amount.
Insignificant - Refers to something that is not important or of little value.
Young - Refers to someone who is young in age.
Humble - Refers to someone who speaks of themselves in a humble manner.
Prefix - Used as a prefix to modify the meaning of a word or phrase.
高 means "high, tall."
High - Used to describe physical height, position, status, or rank.
Excellent - Used to describe a high grade or level.
Famous - Used to describe someone or something that is well-known.
Increase - Used to describe something that is rising or becoming higher.
Respect - Used to show respect for someone's actions or words.
Arrogant - Used to describe someone who is overly proud or haughty.
Amount - Used to describe a quantity or degree.
功 means "achievement, merit, success."
Achievement - Accomplishment, success, or a feat that is worthy of praise.
Merit - A quality or action that is worthy of reward or recognition.
Work - The effort put into a task or job.
Effectiveness - The ability to produce a desired result.
神 means "god, deity."
God - The divine being, the creator of all things.
Mysterious Work - Unfathomable and spiritual work.
Soul - The spiritual essence of a person.
Heart - The innermost part of a person.
Excellence - The highest level of achievement.
Preciousness - Something of great value.
公 means "public, official, prince."
Fairness And Impartiality - The kanji 公 can refer to fairness and impartiality, such as in the context of a court or government.
Openness And Transparency - The kanji 公 can also refer to openness and transparency, such as in the context of a public announcement.
Ruler Or Monarch - The kanji 公 can also refer to a ruler or monarch, such as in the context of a king or emperor.
Official Title - The kanji 公 can also refer to an official title, such as in the context of a court official or advisor to the ruler.
Rank Of Nobility - The kanji 公 can also refer to the first rank of nobility, such as in the context of the five ranks of nobility (公・侯・伯・子・男).
Respectful Title - The kanji 公 can also refer to a respectful title, such as in the context of an elder in a family, such as a grandfather or father.
侯 means "marquis, lord, nobleman."
Lord, Nobleman - A person of high rank or social standing, such as a lord or nobleman.
Target - A goal or object that one is attempting to reach or achieve.
Rank - A position or level in a hierarchy or organization.
Beginning - The start or initial point of something.
Question - A sentence or phrase used to ask for information.
荒 means "rough, wild, violent."
To Be Wild Or Desolate - This refers to land that is wild or desolate, or to a state of disrepair. It can also refer to a famine or crop failure.
To Be Chaotic Or Disordered - This refers to a state of chaos or disorder, or to something that is disorderly or chaotic.
To Cover Or Envelop - This refers to covering or enveloping something, or to something that is covered or enveloped.
To Be Large Or To Become Larger - This refers to something that is large, or to something that is becoming larger or expanding.
To Be Distant Or Remote - This refers to something that is distant or remote, or to a distant or remote place.
To Be Random Or Nonsensical - This refers to something that is random or nonsensical, or to a lie or fabrication.
To Be Rough Or Coarse - This refers to something that is rough or coarse, or to something that is done in a rough or coarse manner. It can also refer to a storm or strong winds.
To Be Inflamed Or Irritated - This refers to skin that is inflamed or irritated, or to a state of inflammation or irritation.
国 means "country, nation."
Country - A nation or state governed by a particular government.
Region - An area belonging to a particular government.
City - A capital or major city.
府 means "prefecture, district, or urban prefecture."
Storehouse - A place to store documents and treasures.
Government Office - An administrative body.
Prefecture - One of the local public organizations.
Mansion - A large and splendid residence.
Intestine - An internal organ.
甲 means "armor, first, a (in a sequence of items)."
First In Rank Or Order - The first in a series of things or a class of things.
Hard Outer Covering - A hard outer covering that covers the exterior of something. e.g. Turtle shell(甲羅).
Armor - Protective clothing that covers the body. e.g. 甲冑.
Element Of Wood - In the Five Elements, it is associated with Wood.
Direction Of East - In the Eight Directions, it is associated with East.
康 means "health, peaceful, comfortable."
Healthy - Having good physical and mental health
Robust - Strong and healthy
Peaceful - Free from disturbance
Prosperous - Having success or good fortune
候 means "season, climate, wait."
To Wait, Await - To wait for something or someone to arrive or happen.
To Observe, Watch - To watch or observe a situation or event.
To Serve - To serve someone of higher status.
To Humbly, Respectfully Address Someone - To address someone in a humble or respectful manner, using words such as “あり” or “居り”.
工 means "work, construction, engineering."
Craftsman - A skilled worker who creates things with superior technique.
Skillful - Possessing great skill or expertise.
Artisan - A person who is skilled in a craft or trade.
Make - To create or produce something.
Workmanship - The skill or quality of work done by a craftsman.
行 means "go, travel, conduct, line, row."
Go, Walk, Advance, Circulate - To move forward, to take action, to do something.
Do, Perform, Accomplish - To carry out an action, to complete a task.
Path, Road, Route - A way or course taken to get from one place to another.
As One Goes, While Walking, Along The Way - Progressing, moving forward.
Line, Row, Sequence - An arrangement of objects or people one after another.
Store, Shop, Intermediary - A place where goods and services are exchanged.
興 means "excitement, interest, enthusiasm."
To Start Something New - To begin something new or to start something up.
To Build - To construct or build something.
Enjoyment - To experience pleasure or joy.
Delight - To be delighted or to take pleasure in something.
Interest - To have an interest in something.
To Enjoy - To take pleasure in something or to be happy about something.
剛 means "strong, sturdy, tough."
Strong - Having great physical or mental strength.
Firm - Having a solid, almost unyielding structure or consistency.
Sturdy - Strong and durable.
Resolute - Having a strong determination and a firm purpose.
Fierce - Having a violent or aggressive nature.
Precise - Exact and accurate.
Immediate - Happening or done without delay.
國 means "country, nation."
Country - A nation or state governed by a particular government.
Region - An area belonging to a particular government.
City - A capital or major city.
府 means "prefecture, district, or urban prefecture."
Storehouse - A place to store documents and treasures.
Government Office - An administrative body.
Prefecture - One of the local public organizations.
Mansion - A large and splendid residence.
Intestine - An internal organ.
The list contains people mentioned in Wikipedia. All JP links are in Japanese only. Sorry!
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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).
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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 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