group-level written forms
Canonical reference record
JMnedict-backedKANJIDIC2 character context
Reference coverageDistinct recorded spellings12 Source spelling/reading rows12 Coverage levelExtended
Extended source depth
This reading group has a comparatively broad dictionary footprint across source-recorded spellings or records. The counts describe corpus coverage, not real-world popularity.
records contributing to this reading group
based only on the imported source footprint
Pronunciation & romanization
How to read Minamoto
The kana reading is source-recorded. Romanization and mora segmentation are deterministic reading aids generated from that kana; pitch accent is not inferred.
Normalized to hiragana for comparison.
The same reading converted to katakana.
Macron-style display. Vowel-sequence form: Minamoto. Personal spelling and true vowel boundaries can differ.
4 morae in this reading. Small ゃ/ゅ/ょ-type kana join the preceding mora.
Audio note: the play button uses Japanese text-to-speech provided by the visitor’s browser/device. It is a convenience preview, not a recorded native-speaker pronunciation or pitch-accent authority.
Meaning by written form
What can Minamoto mean?
A Japanese name can be written in more than one way, and its meaning can change with the kanji used. Rather than assigning one English meaning to “Minamoto”, this page explains each recorded spelling separately.
character meanings available
no kanji meaning attached
based on the exact written form
Kanji spelling
南本
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
水元
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
泉
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
港元
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
湊元
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
湊本
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
源
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
源元
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
源本
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
皆元
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
皆本
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
Kanji spelling
美名本
These are dictionary meanings for the kanji used in this spelling. Together they can suggest associations, but they do not establish one fixed English translation or a particular person’s naming intent.
Characters and loaded glosses
How to read these meanings
The English words shown here are dictionary meanings of individual kanji. They help explain what a spelling can suggest, but they are not a guaranteed translation of the full name and do not establish why a particular person was given that name.
Reading profile
How Minamoto is represented
These counts describe records in the imported name corpus. They are not a ranking of how popular a spelling is among people in Japan.
みなもと
among the forms analyzed on this page
in the primary dictionary reading
small ゃ/ゅ/ょ-type kana combine with the preceding mora
recorded spellings
recorded spellings
recorded spelling
JMnedict classification evidence
How this reading is classified in the source corpus
This separates dictionary classification from popularity. The same exact kana reading can be recorded as a given name, a surname, or both, and given-name records can carry male, female or unspecified source labels.
みなもと in the imported JMnedict corpus
0 source spelling/reading rows
12 source spelling/reading rows
row counts carrying each JMnedict source label
| Exact reading | Given-name evidence | Given-name labels | Surname evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| みなもとMinamoto | 00 source rows | —source rows · distinct forms: — | 1212 source rows |
Classification boundary: male/female/unspecified are labels attached to imported JMnedict name records. They are not population shares, probabilities, identity claims, or evidence that a spelling is currently common in Japan. A source row can also be repeated across different written forms, so row counts and distinct-writing counts are shown separately.
Spelling anatomy
Corpus structure behind Minamoto
This section summarizes the exact source-recorded forms loaded for this reading group. Stroke and character-position statistics are descriptive corpus properties, not popularity or style scores.
8–20 strokes observed span
among forms with complete KANJIDIC2 stroke data
all component kanji loaded as jōyō/jinmeiyō classes
contains at least one character outside that loaded classification
| Reading | Romanization | Morae | Forms |
|---|---|---|---|
| みなもと | Minamoto | 4 | 12 |
Reading ambiguity
Can the same writing be read another way?
10 of 12 displayed written forms have more than one surname reading somewhere in the active JMnedict corpus. This is dictionary-record ambiguity, not a prediction of how a particular person reads the name.
distinct spellings displayed on this page
exact written forms with 2+ source readings
within this active surname corpus
distinct kana readings for one displayed writing
泉
源
港元
4 source-recorded readings
南本
3 source-recorded readings
NanmotoなんもとMinamimotoみなみもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
水元
3 source-recorded readings
MizumitoみずみとMizumotoみずもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
湊本
3 source-recorded readings
湊元
2 source-recorded readings
TsumotoつもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
源元
2 source-recorded readings
GenmotoげんもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
A reading shown without a link is still source-recorded, but its destination group does not yet meet the reference-depth standard used for the main library. Limited records are not promoted merely to create extra internal links.
Kanji role reference
How recurring characters function across Minamoto spellings
Position counts are calculated only from the distinct written forms analyzed for this page. KANJIDIC2 nanori are character-level name-reading references; they are not used here to decompose or assert the reading of a specific multi-kanji name.
| Kanji | Character glosses | Forms | First | Final | Internal | Solo | Strokes | KANJIDIC2 nanori | Loaded class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 本 | book, present, main | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | まと, ごう | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1 |
| 元 | beginning, former time, origin | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ちか, はじめ, はる, ゆき +1 | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2 |
| 源 | source, origin | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | はら, みな, もと | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 6 |
| 湊 | port, harbor | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | — | Jinmeiyō · KANJIDIC grade 9 |
| 皆 | all, everything | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | むな | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 8 |
| 南 | south | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | なみ, は, みな, みまみ | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2 |
| 水 | water | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | うず, ずみ, つ, ど +5 | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1 |
| 泉 | spring, fountain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | いず, ずい, ずみ, ぜい +2 | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 6 |
| 港 | harbor | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | — | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3 |
| 美 | beauty, beautiful | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | はる, よし, よしみ, り | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3 |
| 名 | name, noted, distinguished | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | と | Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1 |
Counts describe this source-recorded spelling set, not population use. A repeated kanji can contribute to more than one position role across different spellings.
Exact writing research map
Move from a spelling to its readings, characters and literal sequence context
These relationships are exact and source-backed. Whole-name readings shown in each card come from JMnedict within the current name class; exact-writing search can surface records from other name classes. Character links open KANJIDIC2-backed kanji pages. Sequence context means the same kanji string occurs contiguously in another recorded written form—it does not prove shared origin or meaning.
Exact written form
南本
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
NanmotoなんもとMinamimotoみなみもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
Characters in order
Other public forms containing the same contiguous sequence
The exact sequence 南本 appears contiguously inside these other source-recorded forms.
Exact written form
水元
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
MizumitoみずみとMizumotoみずもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
Characters in order
Exact written form
泉
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
Characters in order
Exact written form
港元
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
Characters in order
Exact written form
湊元
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
TsumotoつもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
Characters in order
Exact written form
湊本
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
Characters in order
Exact written form
源
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
Characters in order
Exact written form
源元
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
GenmotoげんもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
Characters in order
Exact written form
源本
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
Minamotoみなもと · this page
Characters in order
Exact written form
皆元
Source-recorded full-name readings in this name class
KaimotoかいもとMinamotoみなもと · this page
Characters in order
Showing research maps for the first 10 distinct written forms out of 12. Every detailed spelling card below still links to exact-writing search and its component kanji.
Corpus pattern
Kanji recurring across Minamoto spellings
Only characters appearing in at least two distinct analyzed spellings are shown here. Frequency describes this source-recorded spelling set, not real-world baby-name popularity.
Same reading, different writing
Explore written forms of Minamoto
12 source-recorded forms use the primary source reading みなもと. Other source readings can appear in this romanized group when the imported records converge on the same index form. Use Compare to inspect exact spellings side by side.
南本
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
水元
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
泉
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded readings
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
港元
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded readings
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
湊元
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded reading
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
湊本
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded reading
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
源
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded readings
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
源元
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded reading
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
源本
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
皆元
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded reading
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
皆本
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Same writing, other recorded reading
Exact written-form relationship inside the imported surname corpus.
美名本
みなもと · Minamoto
Character-set checkAll kanji are classified as jōyō/jinmeiyō in KANJIDIC2
Spelling comparator
Compare Minamoto forms side by side
Each exact written spelling appears once in this table even when JMnedict records more than one reading for that writing. Stroke totals and character glosses come from KANJIDIC2 when all component kanji are available.
| Spelling | One source reading | Character-level glosses | Total strokes | Loaded character class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 南本 | みなもと | 南 — south · 本 — book, present | 14 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 水元 | みなもと | 水 — water · 元 — beginning, former time | 8 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 泉 | みなもと | 泉 — spring, fountain | 9 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 港元 | みなもと | 港 — harbor · 元 — beginning, former time | 16 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 湊元 | みなもと | 湊 — port, harbor · 元 — beginning, former time | 16 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 湊本 | みなもと | 湊 — port, harbor · 本 — book, present | 17 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 源 | みなもと | 源 — source, origin | 13 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 源元 | みなもと | 源 — source, origin · 元 — beginning, former time | 17 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 源本 | みなもと | 源 — source, origin · 本 — book, present | 18 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 皆元 | みなもと | 皆 — all, everything · 元 — beginning, former time | 13 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 皆本 | みなもと | 皆 — all, everything · 本 — book, present | 14 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
| 美名本 | みなもと | 美 — beauty, beautiful · 名 — name, noted · 本 — book, present | 20 | All kanji jōyō/jinmeiyō-classified |
What does Minamoto mean?
There is not necessarily one fixed English meaning. The reading identifies the spoken name; different written forms can use different kanji. Character glosses describe individual kanji and should not be treated as proof of the intention behind a particular person’s name.
Related readings
More surnames beginning with みな
Related by the opening kana of the dictionary reading. This is a deterministic browsing relationship, not a claim that the names share the same meaning.
Surname · limited reference
Minami
30 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinagawa
12 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinabe
10 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinai
9 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinakawa
7 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinaguchi
6 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinato
6 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinakami
5 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinaki
5 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinari
5 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinatoya
5 recorded spellings
Explore →Surname · limited referenceMinaga
4 recorded spellings
Explore →Shared-kanji relationships
Other surnames sharing kanji with Minamoto
These links are calculated from exact characters appearing in source-recorded spellings on this page. Sharing a kanji does not mean two names have the same reading, origin, gender or intended meaning.
Surname relationship
Minagawa
南水湊源皆美
6 shared kanji · 10 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipMinakawa
水湊源皆美
5 shared kanji · 6 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipMinaguchi
南水源皆美
5 shared kanji · 6 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipMinami
南水皆美
4 shared kanji · 17 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipMinai
南水皆美
4 shared kanji · 6 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipTsumoto
元本港湊
4 shared kanji · 5 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipMoto
元本泉源
4 shared kanji · 4 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipYoshimoto
元本美
3 shared kanji · 25 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipKaimoto
元本皆
3 shared kanji · 13 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipShimizu
水泉美
3 shared kanji · 11 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipFujimoto
元本源
3 shared kanji · 10 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Surname relationshipYoshimi
水泉美
3 shared kanji · 8 matching source-recorded spellings
Inspect name →Evidence on this page
What each source establishes
JMnedict establishes recorded written forms, readings and name classifications; where safely associated, this page can also show JMnedict-supplied trans_det source text without treating it as a whole-name meaning. KANJIDIC2 supplies character readings, nanori, stroke counts, grade classes and English character glosses. The Ministry of Justice remains the official reference for Japanese child-name character rules. The Agency for Cultural Affairs romanization guidance is the reference for generated Latin-script reading aids.
Source boundary
The spelling-frequency and structural counts on this page are calculated from imported JMnedict records. They are corpus counts, not population-frequency claims. KANJIDIC2 supplies the kanji metadata used in character and stroke comparisons.
Review sources →