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ArchivesMeaning of ichi (一) in Japanese names
So for context I've been trying to do some research for a personal project and found several ways this kanji can be incorporated into a name, which left me with some questions that I hope to better understand.
Does the literal translation when on its own, "one", serve a similar purpose as it would in English when combined with a descriptor as in Ken'ichi to form a phrase meaning something like "an individual who is strong/studious"? I'm not sure if it would make much of a difference from the above, but the possibility also crossed my mind that it may be intended more in the sense of placing value on or emphasizing the importance of the first kanji i.e. "Putting strength/studies first". Alternatively, I was wondering if can it be connected to the practice of giving the first son the name Ichirō, denoting birth order, in other names, specifically when it's not placed at the beginning and doesn't include 郎?
Please forgive any mistakes as I am not Japanese so I'm not very familiar with the culture and don't know the language very well. I would appreciate any help from those more knowledgable on the subject. Thank you for your time!
Does the literal translation when on its own, "one", serve a similar purpose as it would in English when combined with a descriptor as in Ken'ichi to form a phrase meaning something like "an individual who is strong/studious"? I'm not sure if it would make much of a difference from the above, but the possibility also crossed my mind that it may be intended more in the sense of placing value on or emphasizing the importance of the first kanji i.e. "Putting strength/studies first". Alternatively, I was wondering if can it be connected to the practice of giving the first son the name Ichirō, denoting birth order, in other names, specifically when it's not placed at the beginning and doesn't include 郎?
Please forgive any mistakes as I am not Japanese so I'm not very familiar with the culture and don't know the language very well. I would appreciate any help from those more knowledgable on the subject. Thank you for your time!
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Replies
The usage of "ichi" (一) in names is definitely associated with a first-born, just as "ji" (二) and "zou" (三) are used in names for second and third sons respectively. For example, Ken'ichi 健一, Kenji 健二. and Kenzou 健三, when written with these kanji, would be typical for first, second and third-borns. But whether or not "ichi" might also have an alternative or additional meaning of "putting something first" (or "the best at something"), I am not sure.
In any case, the use of numerals in names seems to have become much less common since families have become smaller.
In any case, the use of numerals in names seems to have become much less common since families have become smaller.
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Forgot to add that although "ichi" means the number one, it doesn't also have the meaning of "an individual." In English we can say "a strong one" to mean "a strong person," but this doesn't work in Japanese and wouldn't be a translation of Ken'ichi.
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