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Motoko 本光 – Japanese surname
Motoko (本光) is read もとこう and has 4 syllables. It is a family name. Written as 本光, the characters mean: book + ray. This reading can be written with 3 kanji combinations, with 9 to 11 strokes in total.
How to write Motoko in Japanese
| Kanji | Reading | Literal meaning | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 本光 | もとこう | book + ray | 11 |
| 元古 | もとこ | beginning + old | 9 |
| 元光 | もとこう | beginning + ray | 10 |
Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.
The kanji in Motoko
Motoko in different scripts
| Romaji | Motoko |
|---|---|
| Hiragana | もとこう |
| Katakana | モトコウ |
| Kanji (most common) | 本光 |
Full name examples
- Ayumi Motoko (Japanese order: 本光歩美, もとこう あゆみ)
- Yurina Motoko (Japanese order: 本光百合奈, もとこう ゆりな)
- Yuki Motoko (Japanese order: 本光結城, もとこう ゆうき)
How to pronounce Motoko
Break it into 3 parts: mo · to · ko. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 4 sound units are written もとこう.
Questions about Motoko
What does Motoko mean in Japanese?
Motoko has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 本光, combines these meanings: book + ray. Other spellings include 元古 (beginning + old), 元光 (beginning + ray).
How do you write Motoko in kanji?
The most common way is 本光 (もとこう). It can also be written 元古, 元光.
How do you write Motoko in katakana?
Motoko is モトコウ in katakana and もとこう in hiragana.
How do you pronounce Motoko?
Motoko is read もとこう and has 4 syllables (morae).
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Other surnames that use 本
本: book, present, main
Names with a similar sound
Name data: JMnedict and KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Filtered, regrouped and annotated by NihonNames.