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Evidence-led referenceJapanese names, readings and kanji
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Character directory

Kanji used in Japanese name research

Browse KANJIDIC2 character records by classification and stroke count. Character glosses and readings are shown as character data, not as automatic whole-name meanings.

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1,322 charactersOrdered by the KANJIDIC frequency field when available; that field is not a baby-name popularity ranking.
Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

enter, insert

2 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

stand up, rise, set up

5 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

open, unfold, unseal

12 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

rice, USA, metre

6 strokes · 8 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

power, strength, strong

2 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

study, learning, science

8 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

question, ask, problem

11 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

tall, high, expensive

10 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

substitute, change, convert

5 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

bright, light

8 strokes · 11 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

reality, truth, seed

8 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

circle, yen, round

4 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM

3 strokes · 6 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

move, motion, change

11 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

capital, 10**16

8 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

whole, entire, all

6 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

eye, class, look

5 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

war, battle, match

13 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

sutra, longitude, pass thru

11 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

traffic, pass through, avenue

10 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

outside

5 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

utmost, most, extreme

12 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

say, word

7 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

present, existing, actual

11 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

logic, arrangement, reason

11 strokes · 16 name readings

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調
Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

tune, tone, meter

15 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

body, substance, object

7 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

rice field, rice paddy

5 strokes · 6 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

hit, right, appropriate

6 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

eight, eight radical (no. 12)

2 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

six

4 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

lord, chief, master

5 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

below, down, descend

3 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

neck, counter for songs and poems

9 strokes · 3 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

idea, mind, heart

13 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

method, law, rule

8 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

come, due, next

7 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

make, production, prepare

7 strokes · 8 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

bull's eye, mark, target

8 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

need, main point, essence

9 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

utilize, business, service

5 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

reign, be at peace, calm down

8 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 3

degrees, occurrence, time

9 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 5

task, duties

11 strokes · 2 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 2

strong

11 strokes · 1 name reading

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

little, small

3 strokes · 5 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 1

seven

2 strokes · 4 name readings

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Jōyō · KANJIDIC grade 4

turn into, become, get

6 strokes · 13 name readings

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How to read this directory

Jōyō and jinmeiyō labels here are derived from the KANJIDIC2 grade field for reference. Current child-name character rules should still be checked against the linked Ministry of Justice source. A kanji’s general frequency rank does not establish how popular that character is in personal names.