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Sunao 素直 – Japanese girl given name

Sunao (素直) is read すなお and has 3 syllables. It is mostly used for girls. Written as 素直, the characters mean: elementary + straightaway. This reading can be written with at least 44 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 8 to 18 strokes in total.

About the name Sunao

Sunao (素直) means honest and obedient. The word is also an everyday adjective.

How to write Sunao in Japanese

KanjiReadingLiteral meaningStrokes
素直すなおelementary + straightaway18
直すなおstraightaway8
淳すなおpure11
直男すなおstraightaway + male15
直音すなおstraightaway + sound17
順生すなおobey + life17

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

The kanji in Sunao

素
elementary, principle, naked, uncovered
10 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 5
On: ソ、ス Kun: もと
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
淳
pure
11 strokes, an approved name kanji
On: ジュン、シュン Kun: あつ

Sunao in different scripts

RomajiSunao
Hiraganaすなお
Katakanaスナオ
Kanji (most common)素直

Full name examples

How to pronounce Sunao

Break it into 2 parts: su · nao. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 3 sound units are written すなお.

Questions about Sunao

What does Sunao mean in Japanese?

Sunao has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 素直, combines these meanings: elementary + straightaway. Other spellings include 直 (straightaway), 淳 (pure), 直男 (straightaway + male).

How do you write Sunao in kanji?

The most common way is 素直 (すなお). It can also be written 直, 淳, 直男, 直音, 順生.

How do you write Sunao in katakana?

Sunao is スナオ in katakana and すなお in hiragana.

Is Sunao a boy or girl name?

Sunao is mostly used for girls.

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Themes: Music and sound

Other names that use 素

素: elementary, principle, naked

Similar first names by meaning

Name data: JMnedict and KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Filtered, regrouped and annotated by NihonNames.