Ever wondered how your name looks in Japanese? Foreign names are written in katakana, the Japanese syllabary used for imported words and names. Type your name below and our converter will instantly show you the katakana version, plus the romaji reading so you can say it out loud.
Your Name in Japanese
Type any name and see it written in Japanese katakana — with the romaji reading so you can pronounce it.
Want to keep it or share it? Turn your name into a beautiful name card and download it as an image — the maker is right below.
Share Your Name Card
Turn your name in Japanese into a beautiful card. Download it, post it, send it to your friends — every card carries the site with it.
1080 × 1350 — sized for Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Discord.
Your card as an image — on a phone, long-press it and choose “Save Image”; on a computer, right-click → “Save image as”. This always works, even when a download button is blocked.
How Japanese Katakana Names Work
Japanese has three writing systems. Kanji carries meaning, hiragana is used for native Japanese words — and katakana is reserved for foreign words and names. When a Japanese person writes an English name, they listen to how it sounds and rebuild it from katakana syllables, because Japanese syllables almost always end in a vowel. That is why "Andrew" becomes アンドリュー (An-do-ryū) and "Smith" becomes スミス (Su-mi-su): extra vowel sounds appear where English has consonant clusters or silent endings.
A long vowel mark (ー) stretches the sound before it, and a small ッ doubles the consonant that follows. Once you know those two rules, you can read almost any foreign name written in Japanese.
Example Names in Japanese
| English name | Katakana | Romaji reading |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew | アンドリュー | Andoryū |
| Sarah | サラ | Sara |
| Michael | マイケル | Maikeru |
| Jessica | ジェシカ | Jeshika |
| Emily | エミリー | Emirī |
| David | デイビッド | Deibiddo |
| Sophia | ソフィア | Sofia |
| James | ジェームズ | Jēmuzu |
| Olivia | オリビア | Oribia |
| Tyler | タイラー | Tairā |
Want a Real Japanese Name Instead?
A katakana name is just your own name in Japanese letters. If you would rather have an authentic Japanese name — with kanji and a real meaning, the kind used for a novel character, an anime persona, or a game avatar — try our full Japanese Name Generator on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write my name in Japanese?
Foreign names are written in katakana, following pronunciation rather than spelling. Enter your name in the converter above and it will produce the katakana version with its romaji reading.
Is the conversion exact?
It is a close approximation. Japanese syllables cannot reproduce every English sound exactly, so the converter picks the nearest katakana syllables. A few names have more than one accepted katakana spelling.
Can I get my name in kanji instead?
Kanji versions of foreign names (called ateji) exist, but they are chosen for sound and the meanings can be awkward or unintended. Most people use katakana for a foreign name, and kanji when adopting a genuine Japanese name from the generator.
Why does my katakana name have extra vowels?
Japanese syllables almost always end in a vowel, so consonant clusters and final consonants gain a vowel sound — "strike" would need five syllables. This is normal and is exactly how names are written in Japan.
Do Japanese people write their own names in katakana?
Usually not — Japanese names are written in kanji (with hiragana readings). Katakana is the standard for foreign names, loanwords, and emphasis.
Can I download my name in Japanese as an image?
Yes — the Share Your Name Card maker on this page (right under the converter) turns your name into a high-quality PNG card showing the katakana and its romaji reading. Type your name, or tap "Use the name I just converted above", pick one of three styles, then download the card or save the image below it. It is perfect for profile pictures, gaming profiles and sharing with friends — free, with no sign-up.