How to Write Your Name in Japanese: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji

Writing your name in Japanese is one of the first things many learners want to do. There are specific rules about when to use hiragana, katakana, or kanji — and which system you use says something about who you are.

Foreign Names Go in Katakana

If your name is from outside Japan, write it in katakana. This is the standard convention for non-Japanese names.

Sounds That Don’t Exist in Japanese

Some English sounds have no direct Japanese equivalent. They’re approximated:

• L → R sound: “Laura” → ローラ (Roora), “Alice” → アリス (Arisu)
• V → B: “Victor” → ビクター (Bikutaa)
• TH → S or Z: “Theodore” → セオドア (Seodoa)
• Final consonants get vowels: “Mark” → マーク (Maaku), “Jack” → ジャック (Jakku)

Japanese Names: Hiragana and Kanji

Japanese names are officially written in kanji, with hiragana furigana for reading guides. But in casual contexts, hiragana names are common and feel softer/more feminine.

• Yuki → 雪 (snow) or 幸 (happiness) — depends on the kanji chosen by the family
• Hana → 花 (flower) or 華 (splendor)
• Ren → 蓮 (lotus) or 恋 (love) or 連 (connection)

Choosing Your Katakana Name

When converting your name, aim for phonetic accuracy over literal spelling:

• Focus on how your name SOUNDS, not how it’s spelled
• “Christine” sounds like クリスティン (Kurisutin) — not based on the “Ch” spelling
• Ask a Japanese native speaker to confirm if you’re unsure
• Some learners choose a Japanese name for immersion purposes — totally acceptable

Name Cards (名刺 / Meishi)

In business settings, Japanese name cards typically show your name in both your native language and katakana. If you’re living or working in Japan, getting a proper katakana rendering of your name from a Japanese colleague is a nice touch.

Yuka & Rei Write Names in Japanese

Learning kana feels abstract until you see how real learners talk about it. Here is Yuka working through the tricky parts — and Rei making the explanations click. Their questions are probably the same ones you have.

Yuka

Rei, how do I write my English name in Japanese? Is it always katakana?

Rei

Yes! Foreign names are written in katakana. You match each sound of your name to the closest Japanese syllable. ‘Sarah’ → サラ (sa-ra). ‘Michael’ → マイケル (ma-i-ke-ru). Some sounds don’t exist in Japanese, so approximations are made — ‘L’ and ‘R’ both become ra-ri-ru-re-ro.

Yuka

What about Japanese people’s names — are those always kanji?

Rei

Mostly kanji, but hiragana names exist too — especially for girls. さくら, あいこ are written fully in hiragana by choice. Kanji names have multiple possible readings, which is why Japanese people sometimes need to tell you how to read their name even after you see it written.

5 Practice Examples — Read These Aloud

These examples use the characters from this article in real words. Say each one aloud and try to recall the article’s rules as you read.

1. ジョン (Jon) — John in katakana
2. エマ (Ema) — Emma
3. アレックス (Arekkusu) — Alex (note the x becomes kku)
4. たろう / 太郎 — Taro (Japanese male name in hiragana/kanji)
5. さくら / 桜 — Sakura (Japanese female name)

Your Turn! Write Your Own Example in the Comments

The fastest way to remember kana is to write words you already know in Japanese script. Try writing your name, your hometown, or your favourite food using the characters from this article.

Share what you wrote in the comments — other learners will see it, and writing for an audience makes the learning stick twice as fast. Log in to save your comment history and join the Top Commenters ranking!

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