Japanese name readings
Why Japanese names cannot be read by on’yomi alone
Japanese surnames and given names developed inside the Japanese language, so their readings may use on’yomi, kun’yomi, nanori, mixed readings and sound changes such as rendaku.
Open the Chinese name toolA name is not a row of isolated kanji readings
On’yomi are Sino-Japanese readings shaped after kanji entered Japan. Kun’yomi connect a kanji’s meaning to a native Japanese word. For example, 田 can be た and 中 can be なか, producing the surname 田中（たなか）.
Names also use nanori, mixed on/kun readings, rendaku and established family conventions. Confirm the full name first; individual kanji readings are better used to explain an attested name than to guess one.
Public figures and familiar surname examples
The public figures below are included only to explain their publicly documented name readings.
| Name | Kana | Main feature | How the reading works |
|---|---|---|---|
| 石破 茂 | いしば しげる | Mixed reading + voicing + kun’yomi | 石 is いし; the on-reading ハ of 破 is voiced to ば in the surname; 茂 is しげる. |
| 藤井 聡太 | ふじい そうた | Kun-based surname + on-read given name | 藤井 follows the established surname reading ふじい, while 聡太 is そうた. |
| 宮崎 駿 | みやざき はやお | Kun’yomi + rendaku + nanori | The さき of 崎 becomes ざき; 駿 has the name reading はやお. |
| 佐藤 | さとう | On-read surname | 佐（サ）and 藤（トウ）show that Japanese surnames are not all kun-read. |
| 田中 | たなか | Kun-read surname | 田（た）and 中（なか）use native Japanese readings. |
Four features found in Japanese names
On’yomi
Historical Sino-Japanese readings may appear alone or beside kun’yomi. 佐藤（さとう）is a familiar example.
Kun’yomi
These readings express a kanji through a native Japanese word, as in 田中（たなか）and 石（いし）.
Nanori
Names have established name-specific readings, such as 駿 read as はやお.
Rendaku and convention
Voiceless sounds may become voiced inside a compound, as さき becomes ざき. Family and personal convention also matters.
A reliable way to research a Japanese name
Find the complete kana
Prefer the person’s or organization’s published reading.
Separate surname and given name
Then identify on’yomi, kun’yomi, nanori and sound changes.
Use dictionaries to explain
A dictionary can explain a confirmed name, but isolated readings rarely prove one unique answer.
Why can the same kanji have more than one name reading?
Japanese names reflect language history, region, family practice and personal use. Common on’yomi for every character do not guarantee the reading of the whole name.
石破茂 is a clear example: 石破 is read as the established surname いしば, while 茂 is read しげる.
Reading and reference sources
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