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Nao 名生 – Japanese unisex given name

Nao (名生) is read なお and has 2 syllables. It is used for both boys and girls. Written as 名生, the characters mean: name + life. This reading can be written with at least 104 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 11 to 17 strokes in total.

About the name Nao

Nao is a short name for both sexes. 直 means straight or honest, while 菜緒 adds greens and a cord, a softer image. It is quick to say and hard to mispronounce.

How to write Nao in Japanese

Kanji	Reading	Literal meaning	Strokes
名生	なお	name + life	11
直生	なお	straightaway + life	13
名保	なお	name + protect	15
南生	なお	south + life	14
七音	なお	seven + sound	11
和音	なお	harmony + sound	17

Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.

The kanji in Nao

名

name, noted, distinguished, reputation

6 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: メイ、ミョウ Kun: な

生

life, genuine, birth

5 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: セイ、ショウ Kun: い、う、うま

直

straightaway, honesty, frankness, fix

8 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 2

On: チョク、ジキ、ジカ Kun: ただ、なお、す

保

protect, guarantee, keep, preserve

9 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 5

On: ホ、ホウ Kun: たも

Nao in different scripts

Romaji	Nao
Hiragana	なお
Katakana	ナオ
Kanji (most common)	名生

Full name examples

Nao Yuki (Japanese order: 結城名生, ゆうきなお)
Nao Kono (Japanese order: 河野名生, こうのなお)
Nao Maki (Japanese order: 牧名生, まきなお)

How to pronounce Nao

Break it into 1 parts: nao. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 2 sound units are written なお.

Questions about Nao

What does Nao mean in Japanese?

Nao has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 名生, combines these meanings: name + life. Other spellings include 直生 (straightaway + life), 名保 (name + protect), 南生 (south + life).

How do you write Nao in kanji?

The most common way is 名生 (なお). It can also be written 直生, 名保, 南生, 七音, 和音.

How do you write Nao in katakana?

Nao is ナオ in katakana and なお in hiragana.

Is Nao a boy or girl name?

Nao is used for both boys and girls.

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Themes: Music and sound

Other names that use 名

名: name, noted, distinguished

Akana 明名 Arina 有名 Atsuna 厚名 China 地名 Ena 江名 Ikuna 行名 Kana 加名 Kiyona 清名 Naka 名加 Sana 佐名 Yasuna 安名

Names with a similar sound

Naoe 七生 Naoka 直加 Naoki 直生 Naoko 生子 Naomi 七生 Naoto 直人 Naoyoshi 直文

Similar first names by meaning

Aeka 和果 Aeri 和理 Aika 愛香 Aiko 会子 Aina 愛生 Aino 和野 Aira 相良 Airi 愛生