Chinese compound surname readings
How are Chinese compound surnames read in Japanese?
A compound surname uses two characters as one family name. The converter must recognize that boundary before combining Japanese on-readings or Mandarin-based Katakana.
Convert a compound-surname nameWhy the two-character surname must stay together
In 欧阳娜娜, 欧阳 is the family name and 娜娜 is the given name. Dividing it as 欧 and 阳娜娜 changes both the name structure and the grouping of Kana and Romaji.
Japanese on-reading and Mandarin Katakana remain separate outputs. 欧阳 can be read オウヨウ from the Japanese kanji, while Mandarin Ōuyáng is approximated as オウヤン.
Common compound Chinese surnames in Japanese
The Japanese column reads the kanji in Japanese; Mandarin Katakana approximates the source-language pronunciation.
| Chinese surname | Japanese form | Pinyin | Japanese on-reading | Mandarin Katakana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 欧阳 | 欧陽 | Ōuyáng | オウヨウ | オウヤン |
| 司马 | 司馬 | Sīmǎ | シバ | スーマ |
| 诸葛 | 諸葛 | Zhūgě | ショカツ | チューゲ |
| 上官 | 上官 | Shàngguān | ジョウカン | シャングアン |
| 夏侯 | 夏侯 | Xiàhóu | カコウ | シャホウ |
| 东方 | 東方 | Dōngfāng | トウホウ | ドンファン |
What matters when converting compound surnames
Both characters form the family name
Keep 欧阳, 司马, 诸葛 and 上官 together in the surname part.
Japanese glyphs can differ
欧阳 becomes 欧陽, 司马 becomes 司馬, 诸葛 becomes 諸葛 and 东方 becomes 東方.
Do not merge the two Kana systems
オウヨウ is a Japanese on-reading; オウヤン is a Mandarin pronunciation reference.
Spacing shows the name boundary
A full result separates the compound surname from the given name, as in オウヨウ ダダ.
How NameFerry handles a compound surname
Match a maintained surname list
The converter checks the first two characters against common compound surnames.
Map to Japanese glyphs
Simplified or Traditional forms are converted to the corresponding Japanese character forms.
Build both readings separately
Japanese on-reading and Mandarin Katakana keep the same family/given boundary.
The given name still needs full-name context
This page lists readings for the compound surname itself. Once a given name is added, its characters may still have several Japanese on-reading candidates.
NameFerry currently recognizes common compound surnames including 欧阳, 司马, 上官, 诸葛, 东方, 皇甫, 尉迟, 公孙, 慕容, 司徒, 司空, 夏侯, 令狐, 宇文, 长孙, 端木, 独孤 and 南宫.
Continue exploring Chinese surnames in Japanese
How do you read a Chinese name in Japanese?
Use the complete guide to see how compound surnames combine with given names.
How to write a Chinese name in Japanese Katakana
Compare Japanese readings, Mandarin pronunciation and the available Kana formats.
How are common Chinese surnames read in Japanese?
Look up common Chinese surnames in Japanese glyphs, on-readings and Mandarin Katakana.
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How does a Chinese name change in Japanese kanji?
Compare Chinese name characters with commonly used Japanese forms.
What is the difference between Japanese romaji and Pinyin for a Chinese name?
See how a Japanese on-reading becomes romaji and how it differs from Hanyu Pinyin.
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Compare the hiragana and katakana forms of a Chinese name’s Japanese on-reading.
How do you introduce your Chinese name in Japanese?
Learn to explain a Chinese name’s kanji, pronunciation, and preferred form of address in Japanese.
Why Japanese names cannot be read by on’yomi alone
Compare Chinese-name on-readings and learn how Katakana, Hiragana and Romaji differ.
How can you hear a Chinese name pronounced in Japanese?
Hear Japanese on-readings and Mandarin-based Katakana references for Chinese names.
Does the family name or given name come first?
Match family and given names with common Japanese and English field labels.
How are common Chinese given-name characters read in Japanese?
Compare Japanese glyphs, on-readings and Mandarin Katakana for common given-name characters.
Do you need a Japanese name generator or a Chinese name converter?
Understand the difference between a Japanese name generator and a Chinese-to-Japanese name converter.
Convert a full Chinese name with a compound surname
Enter the complete name and keep the compound family name grouped correctly.