名
name, noted, distinguished, reputation
Readings
On'yomi
- メイ
- ミョウ
Kun'yomi
- な
- -な
Nanori
- と
Meaning
名 centers on what something is called and the recognition that comes with it: a name, being noted or distinguished, and the reputation attached to that name.
Most common words using 名
24 of 926- 名なN3
name; given name
- 名前なまえN5
name
- 有名ゆうめいN5
famous; well-known
- 名古屋なごやN5
Nagoya (city)
- 名誉めいよN1
honor; honour; credit; glory; fame; distinction
- 匿名とくめいN1
anonymity; using an assumed name
- 指名しめいN1
naming; nominating; designating
- 名称めいしょうN1
name; title
- 名乗るなのる
to give one's name (as); to introduce oneself (as)
- 署名しょめいN3
signature; autograph
- 本名ほんみょうN1
real name
- 名作めいさくN3
masterpiece; masterwork
- 有名人ゆうめいじんN2
celebrity; famous person; public figure; big name
- 名義めいぎN1
name (esp. on a deed, contract, work, etc.); formal name; published name
- 名刺めいしN4
business card
- 名物めいぶつN3
famous product; special product; speciality; specialty
- 名曲めいきょくN2
famous piece of music; excellent song; (musical) masterpiece
- 著名ちょめいN1
famous; noted; eminent; prominent; distinguished; celebrated
- あだ名あだなN1
nickname
- 名簿めいぼN1
register of names; list of names; roll; register; roster
- 名目めいもくN1
name; title; appellation; (something) nominal
- 仮名かなN2
kana; Japanese syllabaries (i.e. hiragana and katakana)
- 地名ちめいN2
place name; toponym
- 名所めいしょN2
famous place; noted place; place of (scenic or historical) interest; sights (to see)
Study
Etymology
名 combines 夕 (evening) and 口 (mouth). The traditional explanation is that in the dark of evening, one must call out one's name to be recognized.
Meaning mnemonic
At dusk (夕), you can't see faces clearly, so you call out your name with your mouth (口) to be identified. 名 is your name and the recognition it brings.
Reading mnemonic
For メイ, imagine a famous person named May who is always called by name: May -> メイ, and her name is known by everyone.