Translation guide
How to refer to someone's formal or official name in Japanese, depending on context.
The name as it appears on official documents, as opposed to a nickname or alias.
Most common word for 'real name' or 'legal name', used in contrast to a stage name, pen name, or nickname.
彼の本名は田中太郎です。
His formal name is Taro Tanaka.
Formal term for 'official name', often used for organizations, products, or in bureaucratic contexts.
この書類には正式名称を記入してください。
Please write your formal name on this document.
Specifically the name registered in the family register (koseki). Very formal and legalistic.
戸籍名と通称が異なる場合があります。
There are cases where the legal name and the commonly used name differ.
The complete name, including given name and family name, often in formal settings.
Standard term for 'full name' (family name + given name) on forms and official documents.
氏名をここにご記入ください。
Please write your full name here.
Also means full name, but can sometimes emphasize the distinction between family name (姓) and given name (名).
The official title of a company, institution, product, or event.
Used for the official name of organizations, brands, or events.
この会社の正式名称は「日本電気株式会社」です。
The formal name of this company is 'Nippon Denki Kabushiki Gaisha'.
A slightly shorter variant of 正式名称, also common.
製品の正式名は長すぎて覚えられない。
The formal name of the product is too long to remember.
本名 (real name) is used when contrasting with a false name or alias. 氏名 (full name) is used on official documents. 名前 (name) is the general, everyday word and can refer to given name only or full name depending on context.
芸名ではなく本名を教えてください。
Please tell me your real name, not your stage name.
The direct loanword 'フォーマルネーム' is not used in Japanese. Use the terms above depending on the nuance.
姓名の順序は国によって異なります。
The order of the formal name differs by country.