名 means “name”

な · na

Also: noted, distinguished, reputation

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

な

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

メイ, ミョウ

JLPT N5 · Taught in grade 1 · 6 strokes

The story

An evening (夕) so dark you must call out your name with your mouth (口) to be known. A name spoken into darkness: that is how Japanese writes identity.

Used in 名前 (namae, name), 有名 (yuumei, famous), and 名刺 (meishi, business card)

Words with 名

• 名前 (なまえ, namae): name
• 名字 (みょうじ, myouji): family name

More from Everyday Japan

• 物 thing
• 電 electricity
• 真 true
• 有 possess
• 何 what
• 映 reflect
• 毎 every
• 写 copy
• 便 convenience
• 服 clothing
• 曜 day of week
• 飯 meal

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.