Name meanings in Japanese

名前 (なまえ, namae)

Example:

What is your name?

あなたの名前は何ですか？

He mentioned her name.

彼は彼女の名前を言いました。

Usage: InformalContext: Used in everyday conversation to refer to a person's name.

Note: 名前 is the most common term used for 'name' in Japanese, applicable in most situations.

名称 (めいしょう, meishō)

Example:

The product's name is well known.

その商品の名称はよく知られています。

We need a name for this project.

このプロジェクトの名称が必要です。

Usage: FormalContext: Used in official documents, business, or technical contexts.

Note: 名称 can imply a more official or technical designation rather than a personal name.

氏名 (しめい, shimei)

Example:

Please write your full name.

氏名をフルネームで書いてください。

His name is on the list.

彼の氏名はリストにあります。

Usage: FormalContext: Used in legal and official contexts where full names are required.

Note: 氏名 refers specifically to a person's full name, including surname and given name.

名 (な, na)

Example:

This is a famous name in history.

これは歴史上の有名な名です。

He made a name for himself.

彼は名を上げました。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used in literary or historical contexts, or to refer to someone's reputation.

Note: 名 can refer to a name in a broader sense, often linked to fame or reputation rather than just identification.

呼び名 (よびな, yobina)

Example:

What is your nickname?

あなたの呼び名は何ですか？

She has a cute nickname.

彼女には可愛い呼び名があります。

Usage: InformalContext: Used when referring to nicknames or terms of endearment.

Note: 呼び名 specifically refers to nicknames or how someone is called informally.

名付ける (なづける, nadukeru)

Example:

They named their child after their grandmother.

彼らは子供に祖母の名前を名付けました。

We will name the new product next week.

新しい製品を来週名付けます。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used when discussing the act of naming something or someone.

Note: 名付ける is a verb meaning 'to name' and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

title

A title is a name or designation given to a person that indicates their position or role.

Example: Her title is Director of Marketing.

Note: Title is more specific and often refers to a formal designation or position.

appellation

An appellation is a name or title used to describe or identify someone or something.

Example: The appellation 'The Big Apple' is often used to refer to New York City.

Note: Appellation is a more formal or literary term for a name or title.

designation

A designation is a name or title that indicates a person's rank, role, or position.

Example: His designation within the company is Senior Vice President.

Note: Designation tends to emphasize the specific role or rank of a person.

label

A label is a name or description attached to something to identify or classify it.

Example: The label on the bottle indicates the product's ingredients.

Note: Label often refers to a descriptive tag or sticker.

Call someone by name

To refer to someone using their given name as a sign of respect or familiarity.

Example: It is important to call your colleagues by name to build rapport.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the action of using a person's name, rather than just mentioning it.

In the name of

Used to introduce the reason or motive behind an action or decision.

Example: In the name of justice, we must fight for equality for all.

Note: The phrase shifts the focus to the purpose or cause for which something is done, rather than just the name itself.

Make a name for oneself

To become well-known or respected for one's abilities, achievements, or character.

Example: She worked hard to make a name for herself in the competitive industry.

Note: This phrase highlights the process of gaining recognition or reputation, rather than just having a name.

Drop someone's name

To mention someone's name to imply a connection or association, often to gain an advantage.

Example: He tried to impress the interviewer by dropping the CEO's name during the conversation.

Note: This phrase involves using someone's name strategically to influence a situation, rather than simply stating the name itself.

Name drop

To casually mention the names of famous or influential people one knows or has met.

Example: She's always name-dropping celebrities she claims to know.

Note: Similar to 'Drop someone's name,' this phrase refers to the act of mentioning names for social or status reasons, rather than for genuine communication.

You can say that again

Used to express strong agreement with what has just been said.

Example: A: This is the best pizza I've ever had. B: You can say that again!

Note: This phrase is a colloquial way of emphasizing agreement or affirmation, unrelated to the literal meaning of saying something twice.

Give someone a bad name

To cause someone or something to be regarded unfavorably due to one's actions or reputation.

Example: One dishonest salesperson can give the whole company a bad name.

Note: This phrase focuses on the negative impact of associating a name with undesirable qualities, rather than just the name itself.

Just in name only

To describe something that exists or is claimed only in title or theory, but not in reality.

Example: The team was united just in name only; in reality, they had conflicting agendas.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the superficial or deceptive nature of something being labeled or identified with a name, rather than reflecting its true essence.

A household name

Someone or something that is widely known or recognized by the general public.

Example: The singer became a household name after winning the talent show.

Note: This phrase highlights the widespread familiarity or popularity of a name or entity, rather than just the name itself.

Handle

A handle is a nickname or username used on social media or online platforms.

Example: My online handle is GamerGirl27.

Note:

Moniker

A moniker is a name or nickname that a person chooses to use instead of their real name, often used in the context of performance or creativity.

Example: He goes by the moniker 'DJ Cool Beats'.

Note:

Alias

An alias is a false or alternative name used by a person (such as a stage name or a criminal identity) to conceal their identity or achieve a specific purpose.

Example: He operates under the alias 'Black Widow'.

Note:

Tag

In urban culture, 'tag' is often used as a nickname or symbol adopted by an individual or a group within a community, particularly in street art or gang affiliation contexts.

Example: Hey, what's your gang tag?

Note:

Monicker

Similar to 'moniker', 'monicker' is a playful or informal variation of the word referring to a chosen name or pseudonym, especially in creative or performative settings.

Example: She uses the monicker 'Sweet Melodies' when performing at local events.

Note: The spelling of 'monicker' is a less common variant of 'moniker', primarily used for stylistic or individual preference.

My name is John.

Please write your name on the form.

The company changed its name last year.

Name - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: name

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): names

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): name

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): named

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): naming

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): names

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): name

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): name

Syllabification and Stress

name Contains 1 syllables: name

Phonetic transcription: ˈnām

name , ˈnām (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

name: ~ 1500 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Name