Japanese Name Converter
Type your English name to see it in Japanese: katakana, romaji, hiragana and three kanji spellings chosen by sound, each with its meaning. Free, instant and no sign-up.
Type a name and the katakana, romaji and kanji appear here.
Works for first names, surnames and full names (up to 4 words). Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
In short
A Japanese name converter writes a foreign name the way Japanese people would, in katakana. This one also gives romaji and hiragana, a syllable breakdown, Japanese name order, and three kanji spellings (ateji) picked by sound with the meaning of each character, which the popular katakana-only converters do not offer. It uses standard spellings for about 350 common names, runs in your browser and is free.
Your name in katakana, romaji and kanji
Japanese has three scripts. Katakana is used for foreign names, so it is the spelling you would see on a Japanese visa, a Starbucks cup or a name badge. Romaji is the reading in Latin letters, with a line over long vowels (ī, ō). Hiragana is the rounder script used for native words and is handy for children's name tags. Kanji are Chinese characters with meanings; for a foreign name they are a stylish extra, not the everyday spelling.
How English sounds become Japanese
- Every consonant needs a vowel: Mark becomes マーク (Māku), Ford becomes フォード (Fōdo).
- L and R are the same sound, written with the ra-ri-ru-re-ro row: Lily and Riley both start with リ.
- Long vowels get a dash (ー): the -ee in Emily and the -er in Parker become ー.
- Short stops double with a small ッ: Jack is ジャック (Jakku), Max is マックス (Makkusu).
- Th becomes s or z and v often becomes b: Ethan is イーサン, Ava is エヴァ or エバ.
Choosing a kanji spelling
Pick the version whose meanings you like, then check it with a Japanese speaker before using it for a tattoo or a stamp. Characters such as 愛 (love), 美 (beauty), 優 (gentle) and 翔 (soar) are popular in names. Because the kanji are chosen for their sound, the same name can be written many ways, and none of them is the official one.
Compared with other name converters
| Feature | This page | Top katakana name converters |
|---|---|---|
| Katakana spelling | Yes | Yes |
| Romaji (Hepburn with long vowels) | Yes | Some |
| Hiragana | Yes | Some |
| Kanji spellings with the meaning of each character | Yes, 3 options per name | No |
| Full names with the ・ separator and Japanese name order | Yes | No |
| Syllable-by-syllable breakdown | Yes | Some |
| Copy, share link and audio | Yes | Some |
| No sign-up, no course upsell, runs in your browser | Yes | Some |
Compared with the top results for “japanese name converter” (Nolan Lawson, JapaneseJLPT, GyanMirai) in November 2026.
Want a real Japanese name instead?
For a character, a pen name or a game, try the Japanese name generator, which creates authentic given and family names with kanji and meanings. Need a surname for any culture? Use the last name generator.
Examples
Real converter output (katakana · romaji · first kanji option):
Popular first names
- エミリーEmily · Emirī · 恵美莉
- マイケルMichael · Maikeru · 舞華瑠
- オリビアOlivia · Oribia · 緒莉美亜
Full names
- ソフィア・ブラウンSophia Brown · Sofia Buraun · 蒼陽亜 武良雲
- ジェームズ・ウィルソンJames Wilson · Jēmuzu Wiruson · 慈夢図 伊瑠尊
- エヴァ・テイラーAva Taylor · Eva Teirā · 恵馬 照伊良
Names spelled by sound
- ゼンデイアZendaya · Zendeia · 善出伊亜
- ケンジKenji · Kenji · 健慈
- オークリーOakley · Ōkurī · 緒久莉
Frequently asked questions
How do I write my name in Japanese?
Foreign names are written in katakana, the Japanese script for words from other languages. Type your name above and the converter shows the katakana, the romaji (how it reads in Latin letters) and hiragana. For example Emily becomes エミリー (Emirī) and Michael becomes マイケル (Maikeru).
Why is my name in katakana and not kanji?
In Japan, non-Japanese names are written in katakana on passports, forms and name cards. Kanji carry meanings and readings of their own, so a kanji version of an English name is a creative spelling called ateji. It is fine for art, tattoo ideas or a hanko stamp, but katakana is the standard way to write your name.
How are the kanji for my name chosen?
The converter splits the katakana into Japanese syllables and, for each one, picks kanji that are commonly read that way in names, such as 美 (mi, beauty) or 莉 (ri, jasmine). It gives three different combinations and shows the meaning of every character, so you can choose one whose meaning you like.
Is the katakana spelling of my name official?
There is no single official spelling. About 350 common English first names and surnames use the spelling most often seen in Japanese media and documents. Other names are spelled by sound with rules for English spelling, so if you know how your name is pronounced differently, a Japanese speaker may adjust a sound or two.
Which order should my first and last name go in?
Japanese puts the family name first, but foreign names in katakana are often kept in their original order, joined with a middle dot (・). Use the order buttons to switch between Given name first and Family name first.
What is the difference between this converter and the Japanese name generator?
This converter turns your own English name into Japanese. The Japanese name generator invents a new, authentic Japanese name (for example Haruto Sato) with kanji and meaning, which is better for characters, stories and games.
Related tools: Japanese name generator · Last name generator · Character name generator · English name generator
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