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変名 (へんめい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb, intransitive verb
assumed name ; alias ; pseudonym
Refers to a false or alternative name used to conceal one's identity. Often used in contexts of disguise, undercover work, or anonymity. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to go under an assumed name'.
The spy operated under an alias.
Kanji 変 unusual, change, strange 名 name, noted, distinguished Similar words 偽ぎ 名めい 偽名 also means 'false name' or 'alias', but often carries a stronger nuance of forgery or criminal intent. 変名 is more neutral and can simply mean a name change for privacy.
仮か 名めい 仮名 means 'temporary name' or 'pseudonym', often used for pen names or stage names, while 変名 emphasizes the act of changing one's name to hide identity.
Etymology Compound of 変 (hen, 'change') + 名 (mei, 'name'). The reading へんみょう is a rare variant, possibly influenced by older or dialectal pronunciation patterns.
