I was wondering if you name your newborn child in japan, are the characters set by name? For example a Takashi (1) has the exact same characters like Takashi (2) or can you have a different character but it still is the same name called out loud. And no, im not becoming a parent. Just wondering about the process.
by Drebin212
5 comments
Yes, you can use different characters for names that sound the same: [some examples for “Takashi”](https://pon-navi.net/nazuke/name/reading/m/%E3%81%9F%E3%81%8B%E3%81%97)
The characters don’t even have to match the sound of the name: [so called “kirakira names”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kira_kira_name)
There could be a lot of ways a name can be written and it’s up to which one their parents (or themself, in case they change their name) choose. For example, takashi can be written as 隆、高志、孝史 etc.
由崎 星空 ( Yuzaki Nasa) from Tonikaku Kawaii sends his regards.
If you’ve ever thought r/tragedeigh got up to some wild shenanigans, wait till you see what happens when you give them 2000+ characters to spell with
Yep! When you write the birth certificate equivalent, there’s a section for the reading above the kanji.
You can also specify the romaji when you get your child a passport! (ex: Connor on a passport instead of Conaa).