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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!
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 "Motoyama," 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
本 means "book, main, true, real."
Important Part, Essential Point - Something that is important or essential.
Agriculture - Farming or related activities.
This, That, My Own - Referring to something that is owned or related to oneself.
山 means "mountain."
元 means "origin, beginning, former, ex."
Origin, Source - The fundamental or original basis of something.
Year Name - A name given to a year, such as the "Kigen" era.
山 means "mountain."
完 means "complete, perfect, finish."
Complete - Having all parts or elements
Fulfill - To carry out or complete (a task, duty, or promise).
Accomplish - To successfully finish or achieve (something).
Preserve - To keep safe from harm, damage, or loss.
山 means "mountain."
基 means "foundation, basis."
Foundation, Base - The foundation or base of a building. A support or foothold.
Source, Origin - The root or origin of something. To be based on or to take as a source.
Counting Word - A word used to count items such as lanterns or graves.
山 means "mountain."
毛 means "hair, fur, feather."
Hair - The fine, short strands that grow on the surface of the skin of humans and animals.
Smallness - A metaphor for something very small or insignificant.
Growth - The sprouting of plants and the ripening of crops.
Unit Of Measurement - A unit of measurement for proportions, one tenth of a rin.
Unit Of Length, Weight, And Currency - A unit of length, weight, and currency.
登 means "climb, ascend, register, login."
Ascend - To go up, to climb to a higher place.
Accomplish - To achieve, to complete.
Immediately - To do something right away, to stand in the present.
Ripen - To mature, for grains to become ripe.
山 means "mountain."
茂 means "lush, abundant, thriving."
Thriving - The growth of plants and trees is abundant.
Abundant - Rich and plentiful.
Outstanding - Splendid and beautiful.
Diligent - To strive and make an effort.
登 means "climb, ascend, register, login."
Ascend - To go up, to climb to a higher place.
Accomplish - To achieve, to complete.
Immediately - To do something right away, to stand in the present.
Ripen - To mature, for grains to become ripe.
山 means "mountain."
帰 means "return, go back."
Return - To go back to one's original place.
Settle - For a situation to come to a final conclusion.
Marry - For a woman to get married.
Give - To present a gift.
山 means "mountain."
許 means "permit, allow, forgive."
To Allow, Permit - To give permission or consent to do something.
To Accept, Acknowledge - To recognize or acknowledge the truth or validity of something.
To Approve, Endorse - To express approval or support of something.
Approximately, Roughly - Used to indicate an approximate amount or degree.
Origin, Source - The point from which something begins or is derived.
山 means "mountain."
苞 means "aburagaya. a perennial herb of the family cyperaceae."
山 means "mountain."
固 means "firm, hard, solid."
OriginallyOriginallyOriginally - Naturally, without saying.
Stubborn, Unwavering - Unmovable and unshakeable.
山 means "mountain."
The list contains people mentioned in Wikipedia. All JP links are in Japanese only. Sorry!
Last names that have the same initial of M.
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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.
About our last-name data