In the realm of names, the choice holds immense significance. Let’s delve into the world of less favorable Japanese names.
Importance of Bad Japanese Names
The Cultural Perspective
Japanese names are deeply rooted in tradition and symbolism. Understanding the not-so-favorable names sheds light on cultural nuances.
Linguistic Peculiarities
Exploring the less desirable names reveals linguistic intricacies and the potential pitfalls of selecting a name in Japanese culture.
What Are the Bad Japanese Names
We categorize these less favorable names into four subheadings: Unlucky Names, Inappropriate Names, Outdated Names, and Gender-Biased Names. Each list features 15 unique and noteworthy examples.
Unlucky Names
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warui | 悪い | Wa-ru-i | Bad |
| Kowai | 怖い | Ko-wa-i | Scary |
| Jinx | 不吉 | Fu-kitsu | Inauspicious |
| Magamagashii | 禍々しい | Ma-ga-ma-ga-shi-i | Disastrous |
| Yamai | 病 | Ya-ma-i | Disease |
| Sakimichi | 先道 | Sa-ki-mi-chi | Dead-end road |
| Nigetai | 逃げたい | Ni-ge-ta-i | Want to escape |
| Itai | 痛い | I-ta-i | Painful |
| Namida | 涙 | Na-mi-da | Tears |
| Kowareru | 壊れる | Ko-wa-re-ru | Break |
| Zetsubou | 絶望 | Ze-tsu-bou | Despair |
| Baka | 馬鹿 | Ba-ka | Fool |
| Mazui | 不味い | Ma-zu-i | Unpleasant taste |
| Tsukareta | 疲れた | Tsu-ka-re-ta | Tired |
| Usui | 薄い | U-su-i | Thin |
Inappropriate Names
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burakumin | 部落民 | Bu-ra-ku-min | Discriminated minority |
| Kekkou | 結構 | Ke-kkou | Enough |
| Akan | 赤ん | A-kan | Baby |
| Shibo | 死ぬ | Shi-bo | To die |
| Gaki | ガキ | Ga-ki | Brat |
| Shinda | 死んだ | Shi-nda | Dead |
| Dame | 駄目 | Da-me | Useless |
| Kuso | 糞 | Ku-so | Excrement |
| Yamete | 止めて | Ya-me-te | Stop it |
| Iyada | 嫌だ | I-ya-da | Disgusting |
| Yowai | 弱い | Yo-wa-i | Weak |
| Kirai | 嫌い | Ki-ra-i | Hated |
| Warukunai | 悪くない | Wa-ru-ku-na-i | Not bad |
| Mendou | 面倒 | Me-n-dou | Troublesome |
| Sukiyaki | すき焼き | Su-ki-ya-ki | A dish |
Outdated Names
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantsu | パンツ | Pan-tsu | Underwear |
| Shouga | 生姜 | Sho-u-ga | Ginger |
| Furanku | フランク | Fu-ran-ku | Frank |
| Riibaa | リーバ | Ri-i-ba | Lever |
| Soroban | 算盤 | So-ro-ban | Abacus |
| Terebi | テレビ | Te-re-bi | Television |
| Piano | ピアノ | Pi-a-no | Piano |
| Yubinkyoku | 郵便局 | Yu-bin-kyo-ku | Post office |
| Rajio | ラジオ | Ra-ji-o | Radio |
| Makudonarudo | マクドナルド | Ma-ku-do-na-ru-do | McDonald’s |
| Doramachikku | ドラマチック | Do-ra-ma-chi-kku | Dramatic |
| Keiji | 警察 | Ke-i-ji | Police |
| Suteta | 捨てた | Su-te-ta | Threw away |
Gender-Biased Names
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otoko | 男 | O-to-ko | Man |
| Onna | 女 | On-na | Woman |
| Danshi | 男子 | Dan-shi | Boy |
| Joshikousei | 女子高生 | Jo-shi-ko-u-se-i | High school girl |
| Josei | 女性 | Jo-se-i | Female |
| Machomen | マッチョメン | Ma-chyo-me-n | Macho men |
| Yariman | ヤリマン | Ya-ri-ma-n | Promiscuous woman |
| Seibetsu | 性別 | Se-i-be-tsu | Gender |
| Otokonoko | 男の子 | O-to-ko-no-ko | Boy |
| Onnanoko | 女の子 | On-na-no-ko | Girl |
| Danshi seiyaku | 男子声優 | Dan-shi se-i-ya-ku | Male voice actor |
| Onna seiyaku | 女性声優 | On-na se-i-ya-ku | Female voice actor |
| Danshi fasshon | 男子ファッション | Dan-shi fa-ssho-n | Men’s fashion |
| Onna fasshon | 女性ファッション | On-na fa-ssho-n | Women’s fashion |
| Danshi no tenkai | 男子の転回 | Dan-shi no te-n-ka-i | Men’s pivot |
The Significance of Choosing Bad Japanese Names
How a name can shape a person’s identity and personality.
A person’s name can influence their self-perception and how others perceive them. In the context of bad Japanese names, the impact can be significant, potentially affecting one’s confidence and self-esteem.
The psychological and cultural factors that come into play when naming.
Naming is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and linguistic traditions. Understanding these factors is crucial to appreciating the complexity of naming in Japan and why certain names may be considered less favorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Japanese names, both good and bad, reflect linguistic complexities, historical events, and cultural evolution. Some names may have unfavorable meanings due to historical or linguistic reasons.
While some unfavorable names exist, they are rarely chosen seriously. Japanese parents typically select names with positive meanings and connotations for their children.
Yes, Japanese citizens can legally change their names through a process governed by the Family Registration Act. This allows individuals to choose names that align with their preferences and avoid unfavorable meanings.
Conclusion
Choosing a name is a profound act that carries immense significance in Japanese culture. Whether a name is considered good or bad, it reflects the intricate tapestry of language, tradition, and societal values. Ultimately, the process of naming a child is a reflection of the love and hope parents have for their offspring, transcending the boundaries of mere words.