Kanji & readings
Family-name-first order is used in Japanese. A reading can correspond to different kanji, with different meanings.
ASIA / JP COLLECTION
Names in Japan
One reading. More than one story.
Explore Japanese readings with a clearly identified example of the kanji behind each meaning.
Make the shortlist personal
Choose the written form as carefully as the sound. Kana is used for the browser voice so the requested reading is explicit.
A few names to begin with
Editorial selection · Explore each name’s reference and written form.
Japanese
Ren
蓮れん · example form
Lotus, for 蓮
Neutral
Japanese
Sora
空そら · example form
Sky, for 空
Neutral
Japanese
Haru
春はる · example form
Spring, for 春
Neutral
What this guide covers
Each card shows one kanji example. It does not assign that meaning to every person with the same romanized name.
Country collections are not rankings. A name absent from this selection may still be used in this country. Meanings describe the specific entry, not every name with the same spelling.
Go closer to the source
W3C · name order ↗Context for family-name-first order.Behind the Name · Ren ↗Examples of different kanji sharing a reading.References checked October 16, 2026. Statistics are external; no live rankings are imported.