Writing names in katakana

The idea

Listen to the name, break the Japanese approximation into sound units and choose kana: ジョン has small ョ and ン; ミラー has a long vowel mark. On forms, フリガナ usually asks for katakana, while ふりがな usually asks for hiragana. Follow the form’s instructions.

Examples

• 私わたしの名前なまえはアナです。My name is Ana.
• マリアさんは先生せんせいです。Maria is a teacher.
• ジョンさんは医者いしゃです。John is a doctor.
• ミラーさんは友達ともだちです。Miller is a friend.
• エマさんは学生がくせいです。Emma is a student.
• 「フリガナ」はカタカナで書かきます。Write the reading in katakana in the “furigana” field.

Watch out

A Latin spelling alone does not determine pronunciation or a unique katakana spelling. Ask the person for their established or preferred form, and use the same spelling on records that need to match.

Try it yourself

1. Choose and fill the blank: ジョン：ジョ ＝ ジ＋＿。（ョ／ヨ）

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   ョ

   ョ is small in ジョ; a full-sized ヨ changes the spelling.

2. Choose and fill the blank: ミラー → ミラ＿。（ー／ン）

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   ー

   ー shows the long final vowel in ミラー; ン would add a nasal sound.

3. Choose and fill the blank: 本人ほんにんは「エマ」を使つかいます。書類しょるいにも＿と書かきます。（エマ／エーマ）

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   エマ

   エマ is the person’s stated spelling; エーマ adds a long vowel.

Use it today

Choose a name whose pronunciation and preferred katakana spelling you know. Propose a spelling from the sound, check small kana and vowel length, then compare it with the preferred form.