What does 名 mean in Japanese?
名 means “name, famous” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 名前 (name), 名字 (surname), and 有名 (famous).
For learners, the key is to study 名 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: メイ (mei), ミョウ (myou)
Kun’yomi: な (na)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 名 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | name, fame |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
名 is not limited to one English translation. In 名前 (なまえ), it means name; in 名字 (みょうじ), it points to surname; and in 有名 (ゆうめい), it is used for famous. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 名前（なまえ / namae） — name
- 名字（みょうじ / myōji） — surname
- 有名（ゆうめい / yūmei） — famous
- 名人（めいじん / meijin） — master; expert
- 地名（ちめい / chimei） — place name
- 名札（なふだ / nafuda） — name tag
Example Sentences
-
あなたの名前を教えてください。
あなたのなまえをおしえてください。 / Anata no namae o oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me your name.
-
この町は桜で有名です。
このまちはさくらでゆうめいです。 / Kono machi wa sakura de yūmei desu.
This town is famous for cherry blossoms.
-
名札を胸につけました。
なふだをむねにつけました。 / Nafuda o mune ni tsukemashita.
I put a name tag on my chest.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 名前 (なまえ / namae) because it keeps the core meaning of 名 clear. Then add 名字 and 有名 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 名 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
名 means “name, famous” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 名前, 名字, and 有名.