Translation guide
In Japanese, 'given name' refers to the personal name (名前, namae) as opposed to the family name. However, the way you refer to someone's given name depends heavily on social context, politeness, and relationship. This guide covers how to talk about given names, ask for them, and use them naturally.
The speaker wants to talk about the idea of a given name, as opposed to a family name or full name.
The most common and neutral word for 'name'. It can mean given name, full name, or just name depending on context. When contrasting with family name, it clearly means given name.
私の名前は太郎です。
My given name is Taro.
名前だけで呼んでください。
Please call me by my given name.
Literally 'lower name', this explicitly means given name as opposed to family name. Common in casual conversation when clarification is needed.
下の名前は何ですか？
What's your given name?
Loanword from English 'first name'. Used in international contexts or when specifically referencing Western naming conventions.
ファーストネームで呼び合う文化もあります。
There are cultures where people call each other by their first names.
The speaker wants to ask what someone's given name is, often in a polite or casual way.
Polite and common way to ask 'What is your name?'. The 'o-' prefix adds politeness. In many contexts, this will elicit the family name, but if you've already exchanged family names, it can ask for the given name.
すみません、お名前は？
Excuse me, what's your name?
Polite way to specifically ask for someone's given name. Use when you need to distinguish it from the family name.
恐れ入りますが、下の名前を教えていただけますか？
I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me your given name?
Casual and direct. Only appropriate with close friends, children, or in very informal situations.
ねえ、名前は何？
Hey, what's your name?
The speaker wants to know how to address someone by their given name appropriately.
Adding さん after the given name is the standard polite way to address someone. It's safe for most situations with acquaintances, colleagues, or strangers.
太郎さん、おはようございます。
Good morning, Taro.
くん is often used for boys/men in informal or hierarchical settings (e.g., boss to subordinate, among male friends). ちゃん is used for children, close friends (often female), or as a term of endearment. Be cautious with adults you don't know well.
健太くん、ちょっと来て。
Kenta, come here a sec.
花子ちゃん、遊ぼう！
Hanako, let's play!
Called 'yobisute' (呼び捨て). Only appropriate for very close friends, family, or in romantic relationships. Using it otherwise can be rude.
Avoid using given name alone unless you are certain of the relationship. It can come across as overly familiar or disrespectful.
太郎、ご飯できたよ。
Taro, dinner's ready.
The speaker wants to discuss given names as a topic, such as trends, meanings, or cultural differences.
Again, the default word. Context makes it clear you're talking about given names.
最近の子どもの名前は個性的ですね。
Children's given names these days are unique, aren't they?
In Japanese, people often introduce themselves with their family name first. Asking for someone's 'name' (名前) might get you their family name. If you need the given name specifically, use 下の名前 or clarify.
名字ではなく、下の名前を教えてください。
Please tell me your given name, not your family name.
Japanese names are typically written family name first, given name second (e.g., 山田太郎 Yamada Taro). When speaking English or in international contexts, some Japanese people may reverse the order to match Western conventions. Be aware of the context.
山田太郎
Yamada Taro (family name Yamada, given name Taro)
Used when contrasting with family name in a global context.
日本ではファーストネームより名字を先に言います。
In Japan, we say the family name before the given name.