Type your name to see how it is written in Japanese katakana, the script used for foreign names, with a romaji reading so you can say it. Common names use their established spellings, and every name gets several phonetic options to choose from.
Last updated:
Try:
Advertisement
Advertisement
How to use the Your Name in Japanese
Type your name in English letters: a first name, or first and last name.
Read the top result: the most common katakana spelling with its romaji reading.
Compare the other options. Foreign names can be written more than one way; click a card to see its sounds broken down.
Choose the name order and separator if you need family name first or a space instead of ・.
Copy your favorite or download it as a name card image.
How English sounds become katakana
Japanese syllables are mostly a consonant followed by a vowel, so English names are adjusted to fit. These are the patterns used for most names:
English sound
Katakana pattern
Example
Consonant at the end of a word
Adds a vowel, usually u (o after t and d)
Mark → マーク (Māku), Fred → フレッド
Final -y, -ie, -ee
Long ī with ー
Emily → エミリー, Lee → リー
-er, -ar, -or at the end
Long ā
Peter → ピーター, Connor → コナー
Short vowel + k/t/p/ch at the end
Small ッ doubles the consonant
Jack → ジャック, Mitch → ミッチ
L and R
Both use the r-row (ラ リ ル レ ロ)
Laura → ローラ, Ryan → ライアン
V
ヴ or the b-row
Victoria → ビクトリア / ヴィクトリア
Th
s-row or z-row
Smith → スミス, Beth → ベス
Ti, di, fi
Small vowels: ティ, ディ, フィ
Tiffany → ティファニー, Dylan → ディラン
N at the end of a syllable
ン
Justin → ジャスティン
Popular names in Japanese
Name
Katakana
Romaji
Name
Katakana
Romaji
Olivia
オリビア
Oribia
Liam
リアム
Riamu
Emma
エマ
Ema
Noah
ノア
Noa
Sophia
ソフィア
Sofia
James
ジェームズ
Jēmuzu
Isabella
イザベラ
Izabera
Michael
マイケル
Maikeru
Jessica
ジェシカ
Jeshika
David
デイビッド
Deibiddo
Sarah
サラ
Sara
Christopher
クリストファー
Kurisutofā
Jennifer
ジェニファー
Jenifā
Matthew
マシュー
Mashū
Tips before you use your Japanese name
Say it out loud. Katakana follows pronunciation, so pick the option that sounds closest to how you say your name.
Be consistent. Use the same spelling on business cards, forms and social media.
Check permanent uses. For tattoos, signs or engraving, ask a native speaker to confirm the spelling and the font.
Japanese names in romaji (for example Sakura or Kenji) are normally written in kanji chosen by the family; the katakana shown here is only the reading.
Frequently asked questions
Why are foreign names written in katakana?
Japanese uses three scripts: kanji, hiragana and katakana. Katakana is used for words and names that come from other languages, so names like Emily or Johnson are written エミリー and ジョンソン. Kanji versions of foreign names exist, but they are chosen for meaning and are not a standard way to write a name.
Why are there several ways to write my name?
Katakana spells sounds, not letters, and Japanese has fewer sounds than English. Writers make different choices for sounds like v (ヴ or the b-row), th (ス or ズ), long vowels (ケイト or ケート) and unstressed endings. Common names have a spelling most people use, which this tool shows first, but alternatives are not wrong.
How accurate is this name converter?
For common names in its built-in list it shows the spelling most often used in Japan. Other names are converted with pronunciation rules based on English spelling, which gives a good approximation but cannot know exactly how you say your name. If a result looks off, try spelling your name the way it sounds (for example 'Shawn' instead of 'Sean'), and ask a Japanese speaker before using it for anything permanent like a tattoo.
What does the dot between my first and last name mean?
The middle dot ・ (nakaguroten) separates the parts of a foreign name written in katakana, for example エミリー・ジョンソン. In Japan, family names usually come first, but foreign names are commonly kept in their original order. You can switch to a space or the double hyphen ＝ in the options.
What does the line ー in katakana mean?
The long bar ー (chōonpu) lengthens the vowel before it. It turns リ (ri) into リー (rii), which is how the final 'y' in names like Emily and Molly is usually written. In romaji it is shown with a macron, as in Emirī.
What is the small ッ in my name?
The small ッ (sokuon) is a short pause that doubles the next consonant. English names ending in a short vowel plus k, t, p or ch sound often get one: Jack becomes ジャック (jakku) and Matt becomes マット (matto).
Can I write my name in hiragana or kanji instead?
Hiragana is shown for every option, but foreign names in hiragana look unusual, like writing a name in a children's book style. Kanji names for foreigners are usually chosen by sound or meaning by a person, not converted automatically, so this tool does not invent kanji.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.