Japanese Name Converter
Convert your English name to Japanese Katakana and Hiragana instantly. See exactly how your name is written in Japan, with copy buttons and phonetic rules explained.
Enter Your Name or Word
Enter any English name or word. Foreign names in Japanese are written in Katakana (phonetic script for loan words).
Try a common name:
Your Name in Japanese
Standard writing for foreign names in Japan
Native Japanese script (informal use)
Common Name Examples
Japanese Writing Systems
Key Sound Rules
Common English Names in Japanese
| English Name | Katakana | Romaji | Pronunciation Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael | マイケル | Maikeru | L becomes ru ending |
| Jennifer | ジェニファー | Jenifa | V becomes F, er becomes a |
| James | ジェームズ | Jeimuzu | Final s becomes zu |
| Sarah | サラ | Sara | H is silent, direct transcription |
| David | デイビッド | Deibiddo | Double consonant ending |
| Emily | エミリー | Emiri | Long vowel mark on final sound |
| Christopher | クリストファー | Kurisutofa | Chr cluster split with u |
| Jessica | ジェシカ | Jeshika | J sound becomes je |
Japanese Writing System Overview
Foreign names and loan words
コーヒー (koohii = coffee)
Native Japanese words and grammar
たべる (taberu = to eat)
Chinese-origin characters with meanings
日本 (Nihon = Japan)
Japanese in Latin alphabet
Sushi, anime, manga
How Japanese Phonetics Work for Foreign Names
Japanese is a syllabic language - almost every unit of sound consists of a consonant followed by a vowel (CV structure), with the exception of the standalone N sound. This fundamental difference from English means that foreign names must be adapted when written in Japanese. The process is called transliteration or transcription, where English sounds are mapped to the closest Japanese equivalents.
The most noticeable change for English speakers is that consonant clusters get broken up. A name like "Brian" becomes "Bu-rai-an" (ブライアン) because Japanese cannot handle the "br" cluster and needs a vowel between the B and R. Similarly, final consonants usually get a vowel appended - "Jack" becomes "Jakku" (ジャック) because Japanese syllables don't end in consonants (except N and double consonants with the small tsu character).
The L to R Transformation
One of the most famous features of Japanese phonetics is the absence of an L sound. Japanese has a single liquid consonant R (ra, ri, ru, re, ro), which is pronounced as a flap or tap sound - something between an English L and R. When foreign names with L sounds are transcribed to Japanese, the L becomes this Japanese R. So "Laura" becomes "Rora" (ローラ) and "Michael" ends in "ru" (マイケル).
Katakana for Foreign Names
Katakana was specifically developed in part to handle foreign words and names. Its angular appearance visually distinguishes foreign-origin content from native Japanese text written in Hiragana or Kanji. When you receive a Japanese business card or fill out a form in Japan, your name will be requested in Katakana. Many modern Katakana combinations exist for sounds not originally in Japanese, such as "fa" (ファ), "di" (ディ), "ti" (ティ), and "wi" (ウィ) - these are used to more accurately represent foreign sounds.