Your Name in Kanji

Is this my “official” Japanese name?

No. Foreign names are officially written in katakana. Kanji ateji is a decorative tradition with a long history, from Edo-era 亜米利加 (America) to the name seals sold in Japan today. We show both, clearly labeled.

Could my name accidentally mean something bad?

Not here. Every candidate kanji is hand-picked from a reviewed list: positive or neutral meanings only, real readings only, no unlucky characters, no made-up kanji.

Why can I choose between kanji?

Ateji has no single correct answer. Choosing the meaning is the tradition, and it's exactly what Japanese parents do when naming a baby. There is no one “right” spelling; the right one is the one that resonates with you.

Can I use this for a tattoo?

It's your call. But because tattoos are permanent, confirm the exact characters with a Japanese speaker first, and ask your artist to follow the stroke forms closely. Our cards use a proper Japanese typeface, which is a good reference.