名

• Reading: な
• Romaji: na
• Kanji breakdown: 名 (mei/myou/na) — name, fame, reputation
• Pronunciation: /na/

Meaning

Name; reputation; fame. One's name or standing in society.

A noun with two primary uses: (1) a name, as in 名を名乗る (na wo nanoru, to give one's name), and (2) reputation or fame, as in 名を上げる (na wo ageru, to make a name for oneself). Often appears in literary or formal expressions. Common compounds: 名前 (namae, name), 名人 (meijin, master), 有名 (yuumei, famous). As a standalone word, 名 has a more literary feel than 名前.

Examples

1. 彼はこの分野で名を知られている研究者だ。 He is a researcher known by name in this field.
2. 武士にとって名を汚すことは恥だった。 For a samurai, tarnishing one's name was a disgrace.
3. その料理人は名を上げるために何年も修行した。 That chef trained for years to make a name for himself.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, history, formal speech

Tone: literary

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 名 combines 夕 (evening) and 口 (mouth), suggesting calling out one's name in the dark to identify oneself — the original concept of 'name.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal