Home / Last names / Hirai
Hirai 平意 – Japanese surname
Hirai (平意) is read ひらい and has 3 syllables. It is a family name. Written as 平意, the characters mean: even + idea. This reading can be written with at least 8 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 9 to 18 strokes in total.
How to write Hirai in Japanese
| Kanji | Reading | Literal meaning | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 平意 | ひらい | even + idea | 18 |
| 平位 | ひらい | even + rank | 12 |
| 平井 | ひらい | even + well | 9 |
| 白井 | ひらい | white + well | 9 |
| 平居 | ひらい | even + reside | 13 |
| 牧井 | ひらい | breed + well | 12 |
Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.
The kanji in Hirai
Hirai in different scripts
| Romaji | Hirai |
|---|---|
| Hiragana | ひらい |
| Katakana | ヒライ |
| Kanji (most common) | 平意 |
Full name examples
- Ayumi Hirai (Japanese order: 平意歩美, ひらい あゆみ)
- Yurina Hirai (Japanese order: 平意百合奈, ひらい ゆりな)
- Yuki Hirai (Japanese order: 平意結城, ひらい ゆうき)
How to pronounce Hirai
Break it into 2 parts: hi · rai. 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 ひらい.
Questions about Hirai
What does Hirai mean in Japanese?
Hirai has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 平意, combines these meanings: even + idea. Other spellings include 平位 (even + rank), 平井 (even + well), 白井 (white + well).
How do you write Hirai in kanji?
The most common way is 平意 (ひらい). It can also be written 平位, 平井, 白井, 平居, 牧井.
How do you write Hirai in katakana?
Hirai is ヒライ in katakana and ひらい in hiragana.
How do you pronounce Hirai?
Hirai is read ひらい and has 3 syllables (morae).
Share: XFacebookPinterestRedditWhatsApp
Themes: Colors
Other surnames that use 平
平: even, flat, peace
Names with a similar sound
Similar last names by meaning
Name data: JMnedict and KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Filtered, regrouped and annotated by NihonNames.