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Evidence-led referenceJapanese names, readings and kanji
japanesenameatlas.infoJapanese name reference
Character directory

Kanji used in Japanese name research

Browse KANJIDIC2 character records by classification and stroke count. Character glosses and readings are shown as character data, not as automatic whole-name meanings.

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1,322 charactersOrdered by the KANJIDIC frequency field when available; that field is not a baby-name popularity ranking.
Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

sentence, literature, style

4 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

anti-

4 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

beginning, former time, origin

4 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

heavy, important, esteem

9 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

near, early, akin

7 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

thousand

3 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

consider, think over

6 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

nonplussed, three (in documents), going

8 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

sell

7 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

profit, advantage, benefit

7 strokes · 6 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

know, wisdom

8 strokes · 6 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

road-way, street, district

12 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

faith, truth, fidelity

9 strokes · 9 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

gather, meet, congregate

12 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

exist, outskirts, suburbs

6 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

separate, branch off, diverge

7 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

responsibility, duty, term

6 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

pull, tug, jerk

4 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

place, extent

8 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

next, order, sequence

6 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

water

4 strokes · 9 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

half, middle, odd number

5 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

plot, plan, scheme

9 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

increase, add, augment

14 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

strike, hit, knock

5 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

male

7 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

fundamentals, radical (chem), counter for machines

11 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

each, every, either

6 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

commence, begin

8 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

straightaway, honesty, frankness

8 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

both, old Japanese coin, counter for carriages (e.g., in a train)

6 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

morning, dynasty, regime

12 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

style, ceremony, rite

6 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

village, town

7 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

end, finish

11 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

raise, plan, project

10 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

fruit, reward, carry out

8 strokes · 1 name reading

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西
Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

west, Spain

6 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

forces, energy, military strength

13 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

contain, form, looks

10 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

apply, answer, yes

7 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

dwell, reside, live

7 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

ability, talent, skill

10 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

again, twice, second time

6 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

rank, grade, throne

7 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

placement, put, set

13 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

true, reality, Buddhist sect

10 strokes · 15 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

current, a sink, flow

10 strokes · 3 name readings

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How to read this directory

Jōyō and jinmeiyō labels here are derived from the KANJIDIC2 grade field for reference. Current child-name character rules should still be checked against the linked Ministry of Justice source. A kanji’s general frequency rank does not establish how popular that character is in personal names.