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Okubo 奥保 – Japanese surname

Okubo (奥保) is read おくぼ and has 3 syllables. It is a family name. Written as 奥保, the characters mean: heart + protect. This reading can be written with at least 11 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 12 to 21 strokes in total.

How to write Okubo in Japanese

Kanji	Reading	Literal meaning	Strokes
奥保	おくぼ	heart + protect	21
奥防	おくぼ	heart + ward off	19
大窪	おおくぼ	large + depression	17
小窪	おくぼ	little + depression	17
奥坊	おくぼう	heart + boy	19
大々保	おおくぼ	large + protect	12

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

The kanji in Okubo

奥

heart, interior

12 strokes, taught in secondary school

On: オウ Kun: おく、くま

保

protect, guarantee, keep, preserve

9 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 5

On: ホ、ホウ Kun: たも

防

ward off, defend, protect, resist

7 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 5

On: ボウ Kun: ふせ

大

large, big

3 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: ダイ、タイ Kun: おお

窪

depression, cave in, sink, become hollow

14 strokes, an approved name kanji

On: ワ、ア Kun: くぼ

Okubo in different scripts

Romaji	Okubo
Hiragana	おくぼ
Katakana	オクボ
Kanji (most common)	奥保

Full name examples

Ayumi Okubo (Japanese order: 奥保歩美, おくぼあゆみ)
Yurina Okubo (Japanese order: 奥保百合奈, おくぼゆりな)
Yuki Okubo (Japanese order: 奥保結城, おくぼゆうき)

How to pronounce Okubo

Break it into 3 parts: o · ku · bo. 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 おくぼ.

Questions about Okubo

What does Okubo mean in Japanese?

Okubo has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 奥保, combines these meanings: heart + protect. Other spellings include 奥防 (heart + ward off), 大窪 (large + depression), 小窪 (little + depression).

How do you write Okubo in kanji?

The most common way is 奥保 (おくぼ). It can also be written 奥防, 大窪, 小窪, 奥坊, 大々保.

How do you write Okubo in katakana?

Okubo is オクボ in katakana and おくぼ in hiragana.

How do you pronounce Okubo?

Okubo is read おくぼ and has 3 syllables (morae).

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Themes: Love and kindness

Other surnames that use 奥

奥: heart, interior

Okuma 奥間

Names with a similar sound

Okuda 置田 Okuma 奥間

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