name, noted, distinguished, reputation
名 centers on what something is called and the recognition that comes with it: a name, being noted or distinguished, and the reputation attached to that name.
名 combines 夕 (evening) and 口 (mouth). The traditional explanation is that in the dark of evening, one must call out one's name to be recognized.
At dusk (夕), you can't see faces clearly, so you call out your name with your mouth (口) to be identified. 名 is your name and the recognition it brings.
For メイ, imagine a famous person named May who is always called by name: May -> メイ, and her name is known by everyone.
name; given name
name
famous; well-known
Nagoya (city)
honor; honour; credit; glory; fame; distinction
anonymity; using an assumed name
naming; nominating; designating
name; title
to give one's name (as); to introduce oneself (as)
signature; autograph
real name
masterpiece; masterwork
celebrity; famous person; public figure; big name
name (esp. on a deed, contract, work, etc.); formal name; published name
business card
famous product; special product; speciality; specialty
famous piece of music; excellent song; (musical) masterpiece
famous; noted; eminent; prominent; distinguished; celebrated
nickname
register of names; list of names; roll; register; roster
name; title; appellation; (something) nominal
kana; Japanese syllabaries (i.e. hiragana and katakana)
alias; pseudonym; pen name; nom de plume
place name; toponym
famous place; noted place; place of (scenic or historical) interest; sights (to see)
name change
another name; different name; synonym
naming; christening
(full) name; identity
title; caption; heading
master; expert
katakana; angular Japanese syllabary used primarily for loanwords
real name
fame; reputation; renown
nameless; unnamed; anonymous; unsigned
company name; name of a company
distinguished family; famous family; noble family
popular name; common name; given name
same name
pronoun
noun
daimyo (Japanese feudal lord)
to name; to call; to christen; to term
giving one's name; self-introduction
remains; traces; vestiges; relics
store name; shop name; restaurant name
famous; noted; renowned; celebrated; well-known
person's name
master; expert
name plate; name tag; label
striking off a name; dropping a name (from a list); expulsion; excommunication
country name
hiragana; cursive Japanese syllabary used primarily for native Japanese words (esp. function words, inflections, etc.)
another name; nickname; alias
name of a disease
calling by name; designation; nomination
bad name; bad reputation; disgrace; dishonour; dishonor; stigma; infamy
stage name
(full) name; family name and given name
famous picture; masterpiece (painting)
famous book; masterpiece (literary work)
in name and in reality; nominally and virtually; form and contents
famous; well-known; renowned; distinguished; celebrated
joint signature
just cause; good reason; pretext; justification
good idea
name and address (on an envelope, etc.); (addressee's) name; addressee
harvest moon (trad. 15th day of the 8th lunar month)
great actor; famous actor; star
succession to another's professional name
book title
furigana; kana printed above or next to kanji to indicate pronunciation
well-known
reluctant (to part)
to introduce oneself; to announce oneself (e.g. as the person sought); to come forward (e.g. as a witness, with a claim, etc.)
great achievement; glorious deed; (gaining) fame; (earning) distinction
product name; name of an article
kana orthography; syllabary spelling
alias; pseudonym; pen name; nom de plume
name
honorary position
brand name; trade name; product name
school name
putting (a named suspect) on the wanted list
official name; formal name
unsigned; unregistered
kana written after a kanji to complete the full (usually kun) reading of the word; declensional kana ending