Translation guide
How to express that someone or something has a particular name, or that someone is given a name.
彼は太郎という名前です。
He is named Taro.
猫をマイクと名付けました。
I named my cat Mike.
To state that a person, place, or thing is called by a certain name.
The most common and neutral way to say 'is named ~'. Literally 'it is the name called ~'. Use after the name.
彼は田中という名前です。
He is named Tanaka.
This flower is named sakura (cherry blossom).
A slightly more formal or self-introductory way to say 'is called ~'. Often used when introducing oneself or others.
私は田中と申します。
I am named Tanaka. (humble)
こちらは山田さんと言います。
This person is named Yamada.
Used as a relative clause to modify a noun: 'a person/thing named ~'. Very common in descriptions.
田中という人に会いました。
I met a person named Tanaka.
「吾輩は猫である」という本を読みました。
I read a book named 'I Am a Cat'.
Means 'is called/named ~' with a nuance of 'is commonly referred to as'. Often used for nicknames, aliases, or things known by a certain name.
彼は「天才」と呼ばれています。
He is called/named 'genius'.
この地域は「日本のパリ」と呼ばれています。
This area is named/called 'the Paris of Japan'.
To express that someone or something receives a name, often in a formal or naming ceremony context.
The standard verb meaning 'to name (a child, pet, etc.)'. Often used when parents name a baby.
両親は娘を花子と名付けました。
The parents named their daughter Hanako.
新しい犬をポチと名付けよう。
Let's name the new dog Pochi.
A more formal or official term for 'naming', often used for ships, buildings, discoveries, or in ceremonies.
新しい船は「希望」と命名されました。
The new ship was named 'Hope'.
新種の花に彼の名前が命名された。
The new species of flower was named after him.
Passive form of 名付ける, meaning 'to be named ~'. Natural when the focus is on the recipient of the name.
その子は祖父の名をとって太郎と名付けられた。
The child was named Taro after his grandfather.
To indicate that someone is mentioned or designated by name, e.g., 'the person named in the document'.
Means 'to be named/mentioned (in a list, report, etc.)'. Literally 'the name is raised'.
容疑者として彼の名前が挙がっている。
He is named as a suspect.
To name or nominate someone for a role, position, or task. Often used in formal contexts like committees or awards.
彼が次の議長に指名された。
He was named the next chairperson.
The English word 'named' is not directly borrowed into Japanese as ネームド. Use the patterns above instead.
Both mean 'is named ~'. 〜という名前です is more descriptive and neutral, while 〜と言います is slightly more formal and often used in introductions. 〜と申します is the humble version used for oneself.
鈴木という人が来ました。
A man named Suzuki came.
彼女は祖母にちなんで名付けられました。
She was named after her grandmother.