Search from various English teachers...
Natalie
Regarding writing Japanese names
Recently I've learned both hiragana and katakana, and I'm somewhat confused as to which to use to write foreign names. I've noticed that most japanese girls write their names using hiragana, while most boys write theirs with kanji. However, I've seen girls write their names in kanji and vice versa. As a foreigner, would I write my name exclusively using katakana, hiragana, or kanji?
Feb 24, 2012 8:31 PM
Answers · 5
I definitely recommend you to write your name in katakana.
If you'll write your name in Hiragana, it seems slightly childish.
And if you'll write your name in Kanji, that sounds definitely weird.
Because each Kanji have a specific meaning.
And foreign words come to Japan and it'll be wrote in Katakana usually.
for instance
Ice creamアイスクリーム
radio ラジオ
glass ガラス
basketballバスケットボール
I think some of Japanese girls use only Hiragana is because that's easy to read and somehow they want to hide their full name due to protect their personal information.
I hope you'll enjoy talking with your Japanese friends.
March 4, 2012
You should better write your name in katakana because it's a character which is used to spell words of foreign origin or foreign names.
Each kanji has it's own meanings, so Japanise give their children names considering the meanings as well as how it sounds. If you write your name in kanji, we know that you like Japan but at the same time,we feel a bit strange.
As you mentioned, some Japanise girls write their names in hiragana and there is 2 reasons. One is because there name is originally written in hiragana, and other is because they feel that names written in hiragana is more pretty.
Writing in katakana is natural for you.
February 26, 2012
katakana, hiragana, or kanji
You like it and should choose it
February 26, 2012
I'm pretty sure all foreign things would be written in Katakana
February 26, 2012
You should write your name only in Katakana.
If your name is "Natalie" then, it should be "ナタリー(Natarii)"
As exceptions, Chinese names are usually written in Kanji, and inversely some Japanese girls' names don't have spelling in Kanji.
February 24, 2012
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Natalie
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
Spanish
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
12 likes · 11 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
10 likes · 6 Comments
More articles