Changing my name! But I need your help.

[512kb]

Ok, well I'm going to change my name. YAY! Not the first one, just the middle and last. I've been thinking about it a lot, and I REALLY like Takashi as my last name. But I need to ask you guys, is that a good idea? When I go to Japan, will the people be like ^_^ or <_< when/if they figure out my last name being Takashi? Basically I just want to know if it's an overall good idea.

I also need your help with a middle name. It doesn't have to be Japanese, but I just can't think of anything.

To help you guys figure it out (if you choose to), my first name is Andrew. Andrew Takashi sounds good, if I do say so myself.

Well, thanks everybody for their help!

P.S. - I know this is way off subject, but what is the postal code for Shinjuku? 163 or 163-100? Or something different?

[Kara_Nari]

Are you changing your name legally? Or just for when you are in Japan?
Do you have ANY japanese blood in you?
Sounds like fun anyway, maybe they would be a bit odded out at first, but I think you could make some really great friends, its a good conversation piece.
The girls in the salon and I used to ponder over japanese names for me all the time. Never came up with anything permanent. Just Sakurako as my drinking name hahha.
I always like Daisuke, and Yusuke as Japanese boys names.

[512kb]

Yes, I'm changing it legally. I don't know about the Japanese blood, but I mind as well have some. Any good way to find out the family tree, ancestors, etc.?

[Mikawa Ossan]

I agree that Andrew Takashi does sound very nice, but, um... When you say "last name", you mean "surname" or "family name", I assume. If that's the case, then you should know that Takashi is not a Japanese surname, but rather akin to a "first name" in the West. You see, in Japan, they just write the order of the names opposite from what is done in the West. Calling yourself Andrew Takashi is like calling yourself Andrew John. It sounds a little strange. If you ever plan to live in Japan and raise a family there, I would STRONGLY (if only for your child's sake) urge you not to change your surname to "Takashi".
As for middle names, Japanese people don't have them. If you want to arrange your name to be more Japanese, the best thing to do would be to remove your middle name completely.

[512kb]

Thank you so much for your help, Mikawa. I do plan on living in Japan (when I'm finished learning Japanese, of course) and I thank you again for your help. Again, would changing my last name to a Japanese name be "wierd"? If not, do you have any suggestions (or websites) that might be good for a last name? Thanks again.

[Mikawa Ossan]

Well, names is a tricky subject. Are you caucasian? If so, be aware that many people wherever you may go may have a hard time accepting your non-Western name. In Japan, I think it would be somewhat strange, but that's only because it's so uncommon. Then there's the legality of the issue. You see, even if you change your surname to say, "Tanaka", if it's written in roman characters, you will not (legally) have Kanji for your name. Your name will still be written in katakana. The only to have your name legally be written in Kanji in Japan is if you directly change your legal name to Kanji. I don't know, but I would assume that it would be difficult to do that in a country that doesn't use kanji at all.

As far as what name to use, that is something that only you can decide. My advice would be to wait until after you've studied Japanese for some time and feel confident in your ability and understanding of Japan in general Or you could do what I jokingly do. I directly translate my last name's meaning into Japanese sometimes. However, it must also be understand that anything goes. There are only certain kanji which can be used for your name under the Japanese legal system. Of course, changing your name under a different legal system eliminates this problem, but if you want a "normal Japanese surname", it would probably be best to play by their rules.

[Mikawa Ossan]

Changing your surname is a serious topic, 512kb. Are you sure this is what you want? Is it something that you could live with for your entire life? Changing your name creates a lot of hassles, and if you change your name too often people will most likely tend to look at you with suspicion, (Why did he change his name?)

If I ever change my surname, it will come at one of either two occasions 1: being naturalized as a Japanese citizen -or- 2: getting married. I am a man, by the way. I can elaborate if you want, but the point is, people in many places take names very seriously. If you just "randomly" changed your name to one used in another cultural sphere, many people of your cultural sphere are likely to be offended. So you must really think this out.

[512kb]

Actually, I feel really sure about it. But like you said, it would be better to learn the language first and understand more. And as you said about people being offened in my culture, all of my friends and family support it. As for people I don't know, I don't want to sound rude or anything, but I wouldn't really care about what they think.

As for the kanji and romaji situation, that is a good point. I've never thought of that.

So I'll just what you said about waiting and being *absolutly positive* about it. I agree, I'll wait. Thank you so much (again -_-) about this.

[Mikawa Ossan]

However, it must also be understand that anything goes.
I meant, "it must also be understood that NOT anything goes." Sorry about that.

Just trying to help a fellow in need! :-)

[Buntaro]

512kb,

I think your choosing a first name as your last name will make it difficult for Japanese people to accept it. I knew a caucasian in Japan who took a Japanese first and last name. Nobody believed him.

[Mike Cash]

I do plan on living in Japan (when I'm finished learning Japanese, of course)

Yeah....me too. (Wondering when one "finishes" learning Japanese).

[Brooker]

I think a German guy taking on a Japanese last name is a pretty silly idea. Who's going to be fooled by that (Andrew Teriyaki Takashi)? Everyone you meet will just think you're some Japanophile anime freak or something. Besides, you should know a little more about Japanese culture before taking it on as your identity. Not knowing that Takeshi was a first name and that Japanese people don't usually have middle names kinda shows that you haven't given this much thought. I'm not trying to be harsh, just telling it like it is.

[PopCulturePooka]

Yeap.
Sorry this is one of the dumbest ideas I've yet seen from a Japanophile. Its really dumb.

Most Japanese would be VERY freaked out by your change and think you are a fool.

What would it prove and why bother?

[Kintaro]

If you can't even reach JLPT Level 2, don't bother. Do the world a favor, and call your self John John or Smith Smith.

Besides, it's better to have an actual story behind a name, especially if you chose it out of nothing. I've figured out a great way to explain Kintaro if it would happen, but since it involves a four letter word with a very similar phoneme to "Kint", I don't know if that's kosher on the forums.

As for Takashi: (this list has the near complete collection of 101K Japanese family names.)
峰 = #1737 - 2245households // But as a THIRD reading (of 3).
高 = #2122 - 1750h. // THIRD reading (of 4)
山 = #4276 - 669h. // SIXTH reading. Just... no.
嵩 = #12224 - 133h. // 4th of 4.
16846 尚 78 ﾀｶｼ
21604 隆 51 ﾀｶｼ // 2nd reading
24489 尭 40 ﾀｶｼ
47819 孝 11 ﾀｶｼ
53961 堯 9 ﾀｶｼ
(60200++) 崟 6 ﾀｶｼ
(79700++) 考 2 ﾀｶｼ
Rest are Takashi composites, like Takashima.
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~suzakihp/index40.html

I think the end result would be as said in this thread of a foreigner trying to fit in forcefully into a culture that he isn't even immersed in yet, and probably never will. I understand the idea of wanting to interate into another culture, but culture shock isn't always pretty. Moving from English to French Canada (i.e. not Westmount) is a feat in itself. I was able to understand the racist overtones of people (because I learned French at a younger age), and prove myself to correct them, but you're not even there in Japanese skill (nor am I) so calling yourself Takashi or Kintaro or Chinpo beyond the internet and close friends is the same as shooting yourself in the foot. If you have already integrated the culture, and ONCE there (i.e. eijuuken level++) think Takashi is a good idea then be my guest.

[yukio_michael]

You'll have a worse time integrating with a fake japanese name than if your name were Whitey Whitestein.

[512kb]

Again, thanks for everyone's help and input. However I did say I was laying off.

Not knowing that Takeshi was a first name and that Japanese people don't usually have middle names kinda shows that you haven't given this much thought.

I actually did know Takashi was a first name and they do not have middle names. I wasn't trying to have an absolute "full-on" Japanese name.

[Kara_Nari]

Hmm, if you were wanting to change your name legally to a japanese name, and in hope that you would one day live in Japan, it would make more sense to me if you DID have a 'full-on' japanese name. Rather than a parody of a name, which would possibly offend more than changing to a more complete honest Japanese name....
Also if you are going to have a Japanese family name (whether in japanese its a family name or given name), would you be changing Andrew into Katakana form too, and expecting all of your friends and family to pronounce it as its written in katakana?
I know you said you were laying off, but I was just wondering about these things.
I have a korean name, but I didnt change it legally, a little like korean students that study abroad and change their names so that its easier for people to pronounce. That works just as well too.

[Silverpoint]

Why do you ever need to change it legally? Many Asians who move to western countries take on an English name if they feel their own name is difficult for locals to pronounce or they want to integrate more completely. But they don't change their name legally - they just assume a western name in their public life and still use their real name amongst family/close friends. Why not just do this?

I have a business associate originally from the UK who is an established photographer and has been living and working in Japan for over 10 years. He uses a Japanese first name in his professional work and I didn't actually find out his real name until I'd attended a few meetings with him. No-one seems particularly surprised by it.

[cicatriz esp]

Even if it's fully japanese, they will still Katakana-ize your name. Because you are a foreigner.

I like Andrew Bakanaketsu.

[Mikawa Ossan]

If your legal name is in kanji, they will not mechanically katana-ize your name in Japan. Don't forget that Chinese and many Korean (among others) write their names in kanji, and in Japan, the kanji writing is preserved, although often in newspapers and what-not they will often include the reading in katakana afterwards. Chinese and Koreans are just as "foreign" in Japan as anyone else from another country.

[Mikawa Ossan]

I like Andrew Bakanaketsu.
By the way, this is very childish. Name calling will get you nowhere.

[Emoni]

Yeah... um... I'm trying to resist not saying all sorts of things on this thread.

I'll make it very short. Keep up your study of Japanese, and whatever you do, don't change your last name.

[cicatriz esp]

By the way, this is very childish. Name calling will get you nowhere.

My apologies. I'll be sure to keep humor out of any and all posts I make here from now on, as seems to be the fashion.

[Mike Cash]

If your legal name is in kanji, they will not mechanically katana-ize your name in Japan. Don't forget that Chinese and many Korean (among others) write their names in kanji, and in Japan, the kanji writing is preserved, although often in newspapers and what-not they will often include the reading in katakana afterwards. Chinese and Koreans are just as "foreign" in Japan as anyone else from another country.

On the other hand, if you come from a country which does not traditionally use kanji your name will be rendered in katakana, even if you are ethnically of Japanese descent and come by your Japanese surname that way.

[Mikawa Ossan]

My apologies. I'll be sure to keep humor out of any and all posts I make here from now on, as seems to be the fashion.
Humor is fine and welcome. Namecalling and insulting someone who asked a question in good faith is not.

[Mikawa Ossan]

On the other hand, if you come from a country which does not traditionally use kanji your name will be rendered in katakana, even if you are ethnically of Japanese descent and come by your Japanese surname that way.
mikecash, do you remember when Prince, the musician, changed his name to that symbol for a while? Don't you think that if that symbol was a kanji and he came to Japan, they'd use his kanji name, as that was his legal name? It's such a special case, though. I wonder what would have been written in his passport...

[Silverpoint]

mikecash, do you remember when Prince, the musician, changed his name to that symbol for a while? Don't you think that if that symbol was a kanji and he came to Japan, they'd use his kanji name, as that was his legal name? It's such a special case, though. I wonder what would have been written in his passport...

In the karaoke songbooks that bothered not to refer to him as just "Prince", they used the symbol itself, although karaoke is something of a special case.

[Mike Cash]

My apologies. I'll be sure to keep humor out of any and all posts I make here from now on, as seems to be the fashion.

I think you do very well for a 6 year old.

[Mike Cash]

mikecash, do you remember when Prince, the musician, changed his name to that symbol for a while? Don't you think that if that symbol was a kanji and he came to Japan, they'd use his kanji name, as that was his legal name? It's such a special case, though. I wonder what would have been written in his passport...

I don't believe he legally changed his name, he just quit using it in a professional capacity until his contract with Warner Brothers expired. Or so I am led to believe by the internet. At any rate, if it were a kanji and he came to Japan then Japanese officialdom would demand some sort of reading for it.

I suspect that what was written in his passport was "Prince Rogers Nelson", his real name.

[Mikawa Ossan]

I don't believe he legally changed his name, he just quit using it in a professional capacity until his contract with Warner Brothers expired.
Well, there goes my whole argument.
At any rate, if it were a kanji and he came to Japan then Japanese officialdom would demand some sort of reading for it.
Without question.

Here's a topic for a new thread. Is it even possible to legally change your name to kanji in a country that doesn't use kanji as part of its writing system? I'd be curious to know.

[Kintaro]

The answer would be best not to know...?

[epigene]

Ok, well I'm going to change my name. YAY! Not the first one, just the middle and last. I've been thinking about it a lot, and I REALLY like Takashi as my last name. But I need to ask you guys, is that a good idea? When I go to Japan, will the people be like ^_^ or <_< when/if they figure out my last name being Takashi? Basically I just want to know if it's an overall good idea.

I also need your help with a middle name. It doesn't have to be Japanese, but I just can't think of anything.

To help you guys figure it out (if you choose to), my first name is Andrew. Andrew Takashi sounds good, if I do say so myself.

Well, thanks everybody for their help!

P.S. - I know this is way off subject, but what is the postal code for Shinjuku? 163 or 163-100? Or something different?
I agree with the other posters that you need to think this out more carefully after acquiring a much better understanding of the Japanese language and culture. In Japan, no one changes the family name because it's "cool." It is done for a more serious reason.

That being said, it is not entirely impossible to have a family name like "Takashi." Although rare, there are people who carry that family name.

You can check the number of households that bear that name (in many kanji variations). Use half-width katakana and enter ﾀｶｼ. It will give you a list of names with their respective readings, as well as ranking and number of households in Japan.
suzaki_home_page (http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~suzakihp/index40.html)

About your question on Shinjuku postal codes, this is a list of postal codes that cover the entire ward of Shinjuku:
http://www.towninf.co.jp/p/13/13104/192.htm

HTH! :relief:

[Kintaro]

You can check the number of households that bear that name (in many kanji variations). Use half-width katakana and enter ﾀｶｼ. It will give you a list of names with their respective readings, as well as ranking and number of households in Japan.
suzaki_home_page (http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~suzakihp/index40.html)


It's not nice to repost a link posted in the same thread for the exact same reason. Especially when the stats were posted in the thread for that specific name. And 197 households + rare reads out of 22 million is very sad and pathetic.

My vote goes to the Arudou solution: Live there for a while and then we'll see...

[Luthien Rogue]

Kintaro -- It's not "nice"? :\ I don't think she was trying to be rude. Perhaps she just missed your post? She was just trying to be helpful. :relief:

[HelloKyoto]

I know of several Western men who have changed their last name to a Japanese one. All of these men have married Japanese women and are permanently living in Japan (and in some cases raising a family there, too).

I even know of one American man who gave up his American citizenship. And he is now a Japanese citizen with a Japanese name!

Your desire to change your name is not "weird". People change their names all the time in different countries. Just make sure you do it for the right reasons.

It's your name and you can do anything you want with it.

[Sukotto]

Here's a topic for a new thread. Is it even possible to legally change your name to kanji in a country that doesn't use kanji as part of its writing system? I'd be curious to know.



I'm not sure for sure, but this leads me to believe, yes.

My Japanese friend went to LubePros to get an oil change in the US,
and signed the receipt using the Kanji form of his name.
So it seems to me that this would be legal.

[pika la]

On a related note...

Say, if I were to marry a Japanese, in Japan, and take on his surname, would it be written in katakana too?

[Silverpoint]

I'm not sure for sure, but this leads me to believe, yes.

My Japanese friend went to LubePros to get an oil change in the US,
and signed the receipt using the Kanji form of his name.
So it seems to me that this would be legal.

That's totally different. Your signature is just a legal mark (i.e. a set of lines and squiggles) that identifies you. It bears no direct relationship to your actual name other than that most people use their name as their mark because it's an accepted convention. You can sign with any symbol you want -a cross, a smiley face etc.- as long as you accept that it individually identifies you.

[Silverpoint]

On a related note...

Say, if I were to marry a Japanese, in Japan, and take on his surname, would it be written in katakana too?

Written where? But generally, no.

[pika la]

Written on legal documents. Like, if you were to legally change your surname after marriage?

[Silverpoint]

It would be kanji.

(extra words to make the forum accept this post)