Verified records
Core reading and spelling fields have completed the current editorial source check.
Method and limits
Names deserve better than plausible-sounding guesses
Japanese Names is a structured reference and generation tool. It combines only stored surname records, given-name readings, and kanji variations—never an on-demand language model.
Partially verified
Basic data is usable, while deeper historical or distribution claims remain limited.
Needs review
The entry stays out of search indexing and the sitemap until its required fields are reviewed.
What confidence labels mean
A literal kanji interpretation is not automatically an origin story. We separately label well-documented material, common interpretations, multiple possible origins, literal-only readings, and uncertainty. No label implies that every person with the same surname shares one ancestor.
Reference starting points
These institutional references establish system history, research method, or standard character readings. Individual surname histories need additional surname-specific sources before deeper claims are added.
- Changes in Japan’s surname system
Ministry of Justice, Japan · Accessed 2026-07-29
- Research guide: Japanese surnames and family names
National Diet Library · Published 2022-12-21 · Accessed 2026-07-29
- Index of readings in the Jōyō Kanji Table
Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan · Accessed 2026-07-29
- Kamon, Japanese Family Crests, Their History and Features
Public Relations Office, Government of Japan · Published 2022-12 · Accessed 2026-07-29