How to Write Your Name in Japanese
The short answer
Foreign names are written in katakana, the script Japanese uses for words from other languages. Katakana records sound, not meaning, so Emma becomes エマ and Michael becomes マイケル. Use the converter on the home page for an instant spelling, then read it aloud to check that it sounds right.
Why not hiragana?
Hiragana is used for native Japanese words and grammar. You may see a foreign name in hiragana in children's books or on friendly notes, but katakana is the standard choice for passports, name cards and official forms.
What about kanji?
Kanji carry meaning, so a kanji version of your name is a creative choice, not an official spelling. People sometimes pick characters that sound like their name and also carry a meaning they like. Treat any kanji suggestion as a starting point and check it with a native speaker before using it somewhere permanent, such as a tattoo or a logo.
Common mistakes
English sounds that do not exist in Japanese are approximated: the L sound becomes an R sound, and a final consonant gets a vowel added, so Chris becomes クリス (Kurisu). Long names get long, which is normal. Spelling a name from its sound, not from the letters, gives the best result.
Examples
Emma becomes エマ (Ema), Michael becomes マイケル (Maikeru), Sarah becomes サラ (Sara) and Chris becomes クリス (Kurisu). Notice how an English name keeps its sound but gains vowels so that every syllable ends in a vowel or an n. Names with the th sound, such as Ethan, usually become エイサン or イーサン because Japanese has no th.
Writing it by hand
Katakana characters are made of straight, angular strokes and are usually written in a single line. Use the stroke order shown in a learner's chart, and write the long-vowel mark ー as a vertical line in vertical text. For a signature on documents in Japan, many foreigners register their name in katakana, with the Latin spelling beside it.
Questions
Should I write my name in katakana or kanji?
Use katakana for anything official, because it records the sound. Kanji versions are creative and unofficial.
Why does my name look so long in katakana?
Japanese syllables end in a vowel, so extra sounds are added. Chris becomes クリス (Kurisu), three syllables.
Is the converter on this site exact?
No. It gives an approximate spelling. Compare it with a native speaker's version when it matters.
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