Richness of Japan’s culture manifested through Japanese names

发表于 03/17/2012 由 admin

A normal person will have high regard for his or her name; keeping its reputation as blameless as possible. Yet there are many people who disregard the value of their names.

No matter what the case is, names are part of a person’s worth. No wonder the human society pays special attention to first and last names. A country normally has a standard way to write names which is taught from the time the child learns to sound out and identify the alphabets. Most western countries write first names first followed by the last name. But for countries like South Korea, China and Japan, the reverse is done. It is customary for the Japanese to address each other using the surnames, so if you are in Japan, don’t consider it rude when you hear them use your surname like it was your first name. The Japanese names are normally derived from the richness of Japan’s culture.

Many last names are being adapted by parents because of their uniqueness. Most common name for a Japanese boy is “Ichiro” which means first born son and “Yuri” for Japanese girls meaning lily. Other names for girls include “Aiko” which means child of love and “Hana” which means flower. Japanese last names have also become world-renowned because they are carried over as a brand name of products hauled from the technological advances spurred by Japan. Suzuki and Tanaka are obviously Japanese last names meaning a “small bell tree” and “center of rice field” respectively. Japanese names are interesting. They do have special meanings that are precious; bearing significance in a family’s birth right. Japanese boys and boys and girls are normally written either in kanji or katakana and there are websites that provide translation of Japanese last name meanings. You can even try to translate your name through the help of a website.

Baby Names: Japanese Name Ideas For Boys And Girls

发表于 03/17/2012 由 admin

Looking for some different baby names? Why not try one of these Japanese names?

The Japanese culture is a dichotomy of intense tradition and massive innovation. On one hand, its politics and manners have maintained their deep roots and values over time, while its technology advances at a speed that other countries must clamor to meet.When one thinks of Japan, they think of the precise art of feng shui, the fantastical world of kung-fu and the rich history of the samurai warrior. If you are of Japanese descent and want to honor your heritage or if you are simply looking for some non-traditional names for your baby, here is a list of Japanese names for both boys and girls.

Japanese Boy Names

Akira – One who is full of wisdomAmida – This is another name for a Buddha

Botan – Like the peony flower

Fudo – Refers to the god who rules over wisdom and fire

Fujita – A plain or field

Hiroshi – One who is very generous

Kanaye – One who is zealous

Kin – Refers to something that is golden

Kisho – One who is in tune with his own mind and thoughts

Mamoru – Refers to earth

Masakazu – Refers to the first-born son of Masa

Raidon – Refers to the god of thunder

Ronin – A samurai warrior that does not have a master

Ryozo – Refers to Ryo’s third son

Senichi – Refers to Sen’s first son

Shima – One who dwells on an island

Shuichi – Refers to Shu’s first son

Tama – This can be either a girl’s or boy’s name; refers to a jewel

Tomi – Something that is red

Toyo – To be plentiful

Yogi – One who practices the art of yoga

Yukio – One who receives all that he yearns for

Yuri – This can be either a girl’s or boy’s name; to hear

Japanese Girl Names

Aiko – A little one that is loved

Akako – Something that is red

Akina – Refers to a flower that grows in springtime

Ami – One who is a friend

Ayame – An iris

Chika – Something that is close or near

Cho – Refers to a butterfly

Dai – This can be either a girl’s or boy’s name; one who is great

Etsu – One who is delightful

Fujita – Refers to a plain or field

Gin – Something that is silver

Haruko – Refers to springtime

Hiroko – One who is generous

Hisa – Something that lasts a long time

Hoshi – Refers to a star

Ima – Refers to the present time; now

Ishi – Refers to a rock or stone

Izanami – One who allows or invites you to enter

Kagami – Refers to a motor

Kameko – Refers to the offspring of a tortoise

Kei – Reverence

Kichi – One who is full of good fortune

Kita – Refers to the north

Koko – Refers to a stork

Maiko – Mai’s child

Mayoko – Mayo’s child

Michi – One who is righteous

Midori – Something that is green

Mika – Refers to the new moon

Mura – One who comes from the village

Nami – Refers to a wave (as in tsunami)

Nori – Refers to a doctrine

Rai – To have trust

Rini – A small bunny

Sachi – Happiness or joy

Sakura – Refers to a cherry blossom from a tree

Shika – A deer

Shina – One who is virtuous

MOST POPULAR JAPANESE BOY NAMES 2012

发表于 03/17/2012 由 admin

Today, I will share you a latest list of MOST POPULAR JAPANESE BOY NAMES 2012!

Daichi
Daiki
Daiki
Daiki
Daisuke
Jun
Kaito
Kazuki
Kazuya
Kenta
Kouhei
Naoki
Naoto
Ren
Riku
Ryouta
Ryouta
Ryuu
Shou
Shouhei
Shouta
Souta
Takahiro
Takumi
Takumi
Takuya
Takuya
Tatsuya
Tatsuya
Tsubasa
Yuu
Yuudai
Yuuta
Yuuto

Great, land
Great, tree
Great, shining
Great, valuable
Great, help
Swift steed
Sea, Big Dipper
One, shining
Harmony, to be
Health, well-built
Peace, calm
Honest, tree
Honest, person
Connect
Land
Help, well-built
Refreshing, well-built
Dragon
Soar
Soar, calm
Soar, well-built
Smoothly, well-built
Valuable, great
Pioneer, sea
Craftsman
Pioneer, to be
Pioneer, how
Accomplish, to be
Dragon, to be
Wing
Superior, gentle
Hero, great
Hero, well-built
Superior, gentle, Big Dipper

What are some really unique Japanese girl names?

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

What are some really unusual and unique Japanese girl names? Ones that you never hear? (even made up ones but still Japanese, if that makes sense) I like the name Haruka, but it’s a little common… something similar but more different. Otherwise, as many names as possible!

AKI (1-?, 2-?, 3-?): Japanese unisex name meaning: 1) “autumn” 2) “bright” 3) “sparkle.” Compare with strictly masculine Aki.

AI meaning 1) “indigo” or 2) “love.”
# AIKA (??): Japanese name meaning “love song.”
# AIKO (??): Japanese name meaning “love child.”
# AIMI (??): Japanese name meaning “love beauty.”
# AKANE (?): Japanese name meaning “brilliant red.”
# AKEMI (??): Japanese name meaning “bright beauty.”

Japanese Girl

AKIKO (1-??, 2-??, 3-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “autumn child” or 2) “bright child” or 3) “sparkling child.”

AKIRA (1-?, 2-?): Japanese unisex name meaning 1) “bright” or 2) “clear.”

AMATERASU (??): Japanese name composed of the elements ama “heaven, sky” and terasu “to shine,” hence “shining over heaven.” In mythology, this is the name of a sun goddess who rules the heavens.

AMAYA: Japanese name meaning “night rain.” Compare with another form of Amaya.
# AOI (1-?, 2-?): Japanese unisex name meaning 1) “blue” or 2) “hollyhock.”
# ARISU (???): Japanese form of English Alice, meaning “noble sort.”
# ASAMI (??): Japanese name meaning “morning beauty.”
# ASUKA (???): Japanese name meaning “tomorrow fragrance.”
# ATSUKO (1-??, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “kind child” or 2) “warm child.”
# AVARON (?????): Japanese form of Celtic Avalon, meaning “island of apples.”
# AYA (1-?, 2-?): Japanese name meaning 1) “colorful” or 2) “design.” Compare with another form of Aya.
# AYAKA (1-??, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “color-flower” or 2) “color-petal.”
# AYAKO (1-??, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “color-child” or 2) “design-child.”
# AYAME (??): Japanese name meaning “iris flower.”
# AYANO (1-??, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “my color” or “my design.”
# AYUMI (???): Japanese name meaning “pace, stroll, walk.”
# AZUMI (???): Japanese name meaning “safe residence.”
# BUNKO: Japanese name meaning “literary child.”
# CHIASA: Japanese name meaning “one thousand mornings.”
# CHIE (?): Japanese name meaning “wisdom.”
# CHIEKO (??): Japanese name meaning “wise child.”
# CHIHARU (??): Japanese name meaning “one thousand springs.”
# CHIKA (??): Japanese name meaning “scattered flowers.” Compare with another form of Chika.
# CHIKAKO (???): Japanese name meaning “very fragrant child.”
# CHINATSU (??): Japanese name meaning “a thousand summers.”
# CHIYO (??): Japanese name meaning “a thousand generations.”
# CHIYOKO (???): Japanese name meaning “child of a thousand generations.”
# CHO: Variant spelling of Japanese Chou, meaning “butterfly.”
# CHOU (?): Japanese name meaning “butterfly.”
# EIKO (??): Japanese name meaning “long-lived child” or “splendid child.”
# EMI (1-??, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “beautiful blessing” or 2) “beautiful picture.”
# EMIKO (1-???, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “beautiful child” or 2) “smiling child.”
# ERI (??): Japanese name meaning “blessed prize.”
# ETSUKO (??): Japanese name meaning “joyful child.”
# FUJI (?): Japanese name possibly meaning “wisteria.”
# FUMIKO (??): Japanese name meaning “child of treasured beauty.”
# GINA: Japanese name meaning “silvery.” Compare with other forms of Gina.
# HANA (?): Japanese name meaning “favorite” or “flower.” Compare with other forms of Hana.
# HANAKO (??): Japanese name meaning “flower child.”
# HARU (1-?, 2-?, 3-?): Japanese unisex name meaning 1) “clear up,” 2) “spring,” or 3) “sun, sunlight.”
# HARUKA (?, ?, ?, ?): Japanese name meaning “distance.”
# HARUKI (??): Japanese name meaning “springtime tree.”
# HARUKO (???): Japanese name meaning “spring child.”
# HARUMI (??): Japanese name meaning “spring beauty.”
# HIDEKO (??): Japanese name meaning “splendid child.”
# HIKARI (?): Feminine form of Japanese unisex Hikaru, meaning “radiance.”
# HIKARU (?): Japanese unisex name meaning “radiance.”
# HIRO (1-?, 2-?, 3-?): Japanese unisex name meaning 1) “abundant,” 2) “generous, tolerant,” or 3) “prosperous.”
# HIROKO (1-??, 2-??, 3-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “abundant child,” 2) “prosperous child,” or 3) “generous child.”
# HIROMI (1-??, 2-??, 3-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “abundant beauty,” 2) “prosperous beauty,” or 3) “generous beauty.”
# HISAKO (??): Japanese name meaning “long-lived child.”
# HISOKA (?): Japanese unisex name meaning “reserved.”
# HITOMI (?): Japanese name meaning “pupil (of the eye).” This name is usually given to girls with especially beautiful eyes.
# HOSHI (?): Japanese name meaning “star.”
# HOTARU (?): Japanese name meaning “firefly; lightning bug.”
# IZANAMI (????): Japanese myth name of the wife of Izanagi, meaning “female who invites.”
# IZUMI (?): Japanese name meaning “fountain.”
# JUN (?): Japanese unisex name meaning “obedient.”
# JUNKO (1-??, 2-??): Japanese name meaning 1) “obedient child” or 2) “pure child.”
# KAEDE (?): Japanese unisex name meaning “maple.”
# KAME: Japanese name meaning “tortoise (symbol of long life).”
# KAMEKO (??): Variant spel

Cool Japanese Last Names For Girls

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

What are some cool Japanese last names for girls? And what are some darker (names with darker meanings) Japanese girl names?

When I saw darker I mean something that doesn’t involve being pretty or something like that but instead somethings that involves shadows or rain or the knight. Somthing like that would help.

Japanese Girl

Cool Japanese Girl Names:

Amaya: Night Rain

Chi: Blood

Chikako: Clever

Chiyo: Eternal

Dai: Great One

Fuyu: Born in Winter

Katsu: Victorious

Kei: Rapture; Reverence

Kimiko: Ruling Child

Kuro: Black

Leiko: Arrogant

Mai: Coyote

Mika: New Moon

Miyuki: Deep Snow Silence

Rin: Cold

Sayomi: Night-born

Sumiko: Charcoal

Tanaka: Dweller

Tokiwa: Eternally Constant

Tora: Tiger

Toshiko: Alert Child

Tsukiko: Moon Child

Usagi: Moon

Yoi: Evening; Night

Yumi: Archery Bow

Yumiko: Archery Bow Child

Japanese Last Names:

Abe

Hayashi

Ikeda

Inoue

It?

Kat?

Kimura

Kobayashi

Matsumoto

Mori

Nakamura

Sat?

Sait?

Sasaki

Shimizu

Suzuki

Takahashi

Tanaka

Watanabe

Yamada

Yamaguchi

Yamamoto

Yamazaki

Yoshida

Trends in Japanese Girl Names 2012

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

Japanese Baby names are like a mirror that reflects the times. Let’s have a look at the transitions in popular Japanese baby names and recent trends. Click here for “Top 10 Japanese Girl Names In 2011“

cute Japanese girl

Influences of the Royal Family

Since the royal family is popular and well respected in Japan, it has certain influences.The Western calendar is widely known and used in Japan, but the name of the era (gengou) is still used to date official documents. The year in which an Emperor ascended to the throne would be the first year of a new era, and it continues until his death. The current gengou is Heisei (the year 2006 is Heisei 18), and it was changed from Showa when Emperor Akihito succeed to the throne in 1989. That year, the kanji character “??hei)” or “?(sei)” was very popular to use in a name.

After Empress Michiko married to Emperor Akihito in 1959, many newborn baby girls were named Michiko. The year princess Kiko married prince Fumihito (1990), and Crown princess Masako married Crown prince Naruhito (1993), many parents named their baby after the princess,or used one of the kanji characters. In 2001, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako had a baby girl and she wasnamed Princess Aiko. Aiko is written with the kanji characters for “love???” and “child???“, and refers to “a person who loves others”. Although the popularity of the name Aiko has always been steady, its popularity grew after the princess’s birth.

Popular Kanji Characters

The recent popular kanji character for a boy’s names is “? (to soar)”. The names including this character are ?, ??, ??, ??, ??, ?? and so on. Other popular kanji for boys are “? (great)” and “? (big)”. The kanji character for “? (beauty)” is alwayspopular for girl’s names. In 2005 it is especially popular, even more so than other popular kanji such as “? (love),” “? (gentle)” or “? (flower)“. ??, ??, ?? and ?? are listed in the top 10 names for girls.

Hiragana Names

Most Japanese Girl Names are written in kanji. However, some names don’t have kanji characters, and are simply written in hiragana or katakana. Katakana names are rarely used in Japan today. Hiragana is mainly used for female names because of its soft impression. A hiragana name is one of the most recent trends. ??? (Sakura), ??? (Kokoro), ???(Hinata), ??? (Hikari) and ??? (Honoka) are popular girl’s names written in hiragana.

Recent Trends of Japanese Names

Popular boy’s names have endings such as ~to, ~ki, and ~ta. Haruto, Yuuto, Yuuki, Souta, Kouki, Haruki, Yuuta, and Kaito are included in the top 10 boy’s names (by reading). Click here to see the complete the list. In 2005, names that have the image of “summer” and “ocean” are popular for boys. Among of them are ??, ??, or ??. Western or exotic sounding names are trendy for girls. Girl’s names with two syllables are also a recent trend. The top 3 girl’s names by reading are Hina, Yui and Miyu.

The Disappearance of Traditional Names

In the past, it was very common and traditional to use the kanji character “ko (a child)” at the end of female names. Empress Michiko, Crown princess Masako, princess Kiko, and Yoko Ono, all end with “ko (?)”. If you have a few female Japanese friends, you will probably notice this pattern. In fact, more than 80% of my female relatives and girlfriends have “ko” at the end of their names (including me!). However, this might not be true for the next generation. There are only three names including “ko” in the recent 100 popular names for girls. They are Nanako (???)and Riko (??, ??). Instead of “ko” at the end, using “ka” or “na” is the recent trend. Haruka, Hina, Honoka, Momoka, Ayaka, Yuuna and Haruna for example.

The Transitions in Popular Japanese Girl Names

There used to be certain patterns for Japanese Girl Names. From the 10′s to the mid 70′s, there was little change in naming patterns. Today there is no set pattern and baby names have a greater diversity.

Girl’s Names

Rank	1915	1925	1935	1945	1955
1	Chiyo	Sachiko	Kazuko	Kazuko	Youko
2	Chiyoko	Fumiko	Sachiko	Sachiko	Keiko
3	Fumiko	Miyoko	Setsuko	Youko	Kyouko
4	Shizuko	Hisako	Hiroko	Setsuko	Sachiko
5	Kiyo	Yoshiko	Hisako	Hiroko	Kazuko

Rank	1965	1975	1985	1995	2000
1	Akemi	Kumiko	Ai	Misaki	Sakura
2	Mayumi	Yuuko	Mai	Ai	Yuuka
3	Yumiko	Mayumi	Mami	Haruka	Misaki
4	Keiko	Tomoko	Megumi	Kana	Natsuki
5	Kumiko	Youko	Kaori	Mai	Nanami

Cute Japanese Girls 2012

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

Check those cute Japanese Girls!

japanese girls

Cute Japanese Girl

How To Choose A Japanese Name

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

Japanese girl names

How to choose a Japanese name for yourself or your kid?

Americans look to their heritage and family history for children’s names, while the Japanese usually do not name children after themselves or relatives. The steps below will direct you to the meanings and spellings of some Japanese names.

I will share you my own experience of choosing Japanese girl names.

In the beginning, I found out how hard it can be to choose Japanese girl names. My Japanese is shamefully rudimentary, I rely on plenty of online resources for Japanese naming help, which I’ll go into later. Then, I found out how popular Japanese names are, in the sense of being well-liked, if not yet well-used. I had thought that nobody would appreciate a Japanese name unless they were Japanese, or maybe because they’d spent considerable time in Japan.

What are the possible difficulties you might experience while choosing a Japanese name for girls or boys?

First, pronounciation. Japanese words written in Romancharacters are called Romaji. Don’t worry, Romaji isn’t scary. For instance, R’s are flipped, like a cross between an R and a D. Pronounce every syllable with equal emphasis, and you’ll be right 90% of the time. For instance, most people pronounce my sister’s name, Sakura, like this: saw-KUR-rah. The correct pronounciation is saw-koo-rah, with a small, quick, flipped R. There are some interesting trends in Japanese girl names today. For instance, Japanese parents aren’t using the traditional name suffix –ko for their girl’s names these days.

Many Japanese girl names have a cultural context.

I learn a lot of knowledge about the meaning of Japanese girl names from my Japanese grandfather. Most Japanese baby name lists will tell you “Umeko” means “plum blossom child”. Some will even add that plum blossoms symbolize devotion. But my grandfather explained why: plum blossoms symbolize wifely fidelity because they bloom when other flowers won’t, in the cold and snow of early spring. I found that an eloquent symbol of beauty in adversity, and Umeko became one of my favorite Japanese girl names. A lot of Japanese girl names have a similarly rich context.

But how to choose a Japanese name?

Select a name that means intelligence: Tomo for a girl and Hideaki for a boy. Choose a name synonymous with longevity. For girls, these include Kishi, Kameko and Sen. Kameko means turtle child, and a turtle symbolizes a long life. Sen is a mythical elf that lives for thousands of years. For boys, Juro means long life. Decide on a name that reflects a peaceful, reserved child. For girls, Rei means polite and Shika means gentle deer. For boys, Hisoka means reserved and Kioshi means quiet. Choose a Japanese name that symbolizes strength: Mio for a girl and Kaori or Takeshi for a boy.

Here I will share you a short list of my favorite Japanese names for girls and boys, some of them are old but most of them are the latest and coolest.

Japanese Names For Girls

AMAI- (ah-my) “sweet”

AIRI- (eye-ree) ai “love, affection” combined with ri “jasmine” or ri “pear”.

AKIKO- (ah-kee-koh) aki “red”, “autumn” with ko “girl”

CHIEKO- (chee-ay-koh) chi,”wisdom” or “thousand” with ko “girl”

CHOU- (cho-oo) “butterfly”

EMI- (ay-mee) e “blessing, favour” or e “picture” with mi “beautiful”.

HANA-(hah-nah) “flower”

HIKARI- (hee-kah-ree) “light” often written in hiragana

HINATA- (hee-nah-ta) “sunflower” or “facing the sun” often written in hiragana

HISA- (hee-sah) “long-awaited” often written in hiragana

HOSHI- (hoh-shee) “star”

IZUMI- (ee-zoo-mee) “fountain, spring”

KAEDE- (kah-eh-deh) “maple”

KAORI-(kah-oh-ree) “smell, perfume, fragrance”. It can also come from ka “smell, perfume” and ori “weaving”. Often written using the hiragana writing system.

KAWAII- (kah-wye-ee) “cute, darling”

MAI -(mye) “dance” or “linen robe”. It can also come from ma “real, true” with ai “love, affection”. Mai is a traditional dance from western Japan.

MARIKO-(mah-ree-koh) ma “real, true”, ri “village” and ko “child”.

MEGUMI-(meh-goo-mee) “beautiful blessing’ often written in hiragana

MEI- (may) me “bud, sprout” combined with i “reliant”, i “life” or i “clothing, garment”.

MICHIKO-(mee-chee-koh) mi “beautiful”, chi “wisdom, intellect” and ko “child”.

MIKA (mee-kah) mi “beautiful” combined with ka “smell, perfume” or ka “increase”.

NAOMI- (nah-oh-mee) nao “honest, straight” and mi “beautiful”.

REI-(ray) “bell” or “lovely”

RINA-(ree-nah) ri “jasmine” or ri “village” combined with na, a phonetic character, or na “vegetables, greens”.

RIO- (ree-oh) ri “jasmine” or ri “village” combined with o “center”, o “thread” or ou “cherry blossom”.

SAKURA- (sah-koo-rah) “cherry blossom” symbol of prosperity; very popular Japanese name.

SAYURI-(sah-yoo-ree) sa, “small” and yuri, “lily”

SHINJU-(sheen-joo) “pearl”

SHIORI-(shee-oh-ree) “to weave a poem”

SORA- (soh-rah) “sky”

SUKI- (soo-kee) “favorite, dear, pet”

SUZU-(soo-zoo) “bell”

SUZUME-(soo-zoo-may) “sparrow”

UME-(oo-may) “plum” plum blossoms symbolize wifely fidelity

YUUNA-(yoo-nah) yui “tie, bind” and na “vegetables, greens”.

Japanese Names For Boys

AKIRA – (AH-kee-rah) “bright, clear”

ARATA- (ah-rah-tah) “fresh, new”

HARUKI- (hah-roo-kee)) haru,”clear up” or “sun, sunlight” combined with ki, “radiance, shine” or “life”.

HIKARU- (hee-kah-roo) “light” or “radiance”

ISAMU- (ee-sah-moo) “bravery” or “to be inspired with courage”

KAITO- (ky-toh) From kai “sea, ocean” combined with to, which refers to the constellation Ursa Major, or to “soar, fly”.

KAZUKI- (kah-zoo-kee) kazu “one” or kazu “harmony” combined with ki “radiance, shine” or ki “hope”.

KENJI-(ken-jee) ken, “study” and ji “two”.

MAKOTO- (mah-koh-toh) “sincerity”

MASARU- (mah-sah-roo) “victory”

NAOKI- (nah-oh-kee) nao “honest, straight” and ki “tree”.

RYUU-(re-oo) “dragon”

SEIJI- (say-jee) “lawful”, “manages affairs of state”

SENTARO –(sen-tah-roh) sen, “steel” and taro, “boy”, a common boy’s name suffix. The steel refers to the many-folded superstrong steel from which samurai swords are made.

SHIGERU- (shee-geh-roo) “flourishing, luxuriant”.

SORA- (soh-rah) “sky”

TAKASHI-(tah-kah-shee) can be written as “filial piety” “noble, prosperous” or “reverence”.

TAKESHI-(tah-keh-shee) “military, warrior”

TSUBASA-(tsoo-bah-sah) “wing” or “fly up”

YUKI- (yoo-kee) “happiness” or “snow”. It can also come from yu, “reason” combined with ki ,”valuable” or ki, “chronicle”.

YUMA- (yoo-mah) yuu “distant, leisurely” or yu,) “gentleness, superiority” combined with m,) “real, true”.

Japanese Girl Names – Women Fight For Right To Keep Family Names

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

Japanese Girl Names – Japanese Women

Many people, especially those who are interested in Japanese culture and history love Japanese girl names. Recently, a group of Japanese women submitted a challenge to a 19th century law that obliges almost all females in Japan to drop their maiden Japanese girl names and assume their husbands’ last name when they marry.

There are so many different Japanese Girl Names today. But until the Meiji period, most Japanese women did not have a family name. Only the nobles, samurai and some merchants and artisans did. At the time, the vast majority of the population were peasants. The new Meiji government made it compulsory for everyone to choose a surname, using only authorised kanji. Up to the Tokugawa period common people would refer to themselves as being from a particular region, or from a particular branch of business. The Japanese names for girls in the Meiji period were either those already in use among the upper classes, or they were created by local priests or even simply made up. This perhaps explains why there seem to be around 50,000 Japanese girls names currently in existence.

The milestone case launched before the Tokyo District Court, is seen as a examination of the rights of women, who continue to fight against gender stereotypes and remain under-represented in politics and on the boards of corporations. Japan’s Civil Code says that married couples must share one last name, in reality almost always that of the husband, however some males have assumed their wives’ names, often if the women come from upper-class or noble families. The four female plaintiffs, and the husband of one of them — argue that the civil code clause dating back to 1898 breaches the constitutional promise of equal rights for both partners. i.e Both partners should have a choice to how they would like to use their own japanese names. The individuals from Tokyo, Kyoto and Toyama are also asking for a total of six million yen ($70,000) in damages for their emotional damage, a higher amount than the group had previously asked for.

What is the public’s opinion on this issue? In a recent government survey, 37 percent of respondents said they supported a rewrite of the code, while 35 percent were against changing such a code when related to Japanese girl names.

Top 10 Japanese Baby Names In 2012

发表于 03/16/2012 由 admin

Japanese Baby Names

What are the most popular Japanese baby names this year?

In Japan, every year the most popular Japanese baby names are published online. This most popular Japanese baby names list reflects the latest naming trends in Japan. Some names continue to remain popular year after year while other names fall from favor. In 2012, there are a lot of new entries in the popular Japanese baby names lists. Here I will share you a list of people’s favorite Japanese names for girls and boys.

Top Japanese Baby Boy Names 2011

Rank	Name	Kanji	Hiragana	Babies Born	Pecentage	2010 Rank
?	Hiroto	??	???	119	0.66%	2??
??	Ren	?	??	113	0.63%	1??
??	Yuuma	??	???	97	0.54%	4
??	Souta	??	???	92	0.51%	3?
??	Sora	??	??	84	0.47%	5?
??	Shouta	??	????	79	0.44%	13
??	Yamato	??	???	73	0.41	11??
??	Haruto	??	???	70	0.39	19?
??	Riku	?	??	64	0.36%	22
10	Haruto	??	???	64	0.36%	18

Top Japanese Baby Girl Names 2011

Rank	Name	Kanji	Hiragana	Babies Born	Pecentage	2010 Rank
?	Yui	??	??	109	0.66%	2
??	Aoi	?	???	104	0.63%	3??
??	Yua	??	??	102	0.62%	1
??	Rin	?	??	100	0.61%	5??
??	Hina	??	??	99	0.60%	4
6	Yuina	??	???	99	0.60%	8??
??	Sakura	???	???	74	0.45%	7
8	Mana	??	??	74	0.45%	43
??	Sak	??	??	71	0.43%	28?
???	Yuuna	??	???	66	0.40%	12

Which one is the biggest jumpers this year?

On the top 10 was Riku for boy, up from #22 into 2010 to #9 in 2011. For the popular Japanese girl names we can see a massive jump for the name Mana which jumped up from #43 in 2010 to #8 in 2011. Mana is nice Japanese name for girls. When names display such a jump in popularity one can usually look to popular culture such as movie stars, singers and celebrities for the answer. As far as the name Mana goes it is no doubt related to the popularity of Mana Ashida, a 7 year old Japanese child actress and singer who starred in a number of movies and TV dramas during 2011 . She also became the youngest artist to have a single and album both rank in the top 10 music charts of Japan.