Nanori (名乗り) refers to the often non-standard or unique pronunciations of kanji characters used almost exclusively in Japanese names. They are essentially name readings that deviate from the more common on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) and kun'yomi (native Japanese reading) that you would find in general vocabulary.
Understanding Nanori
Japanese names can be quite complex due to the many ways a kanji can be read. Nanori are one contributing factor to this complexity. While on'yomi and kun'yomi are the standard readings learned in language courses, nanori are specific to names and often require prior knowledge or guessing.
Key Characteristics of Nanori:
- Name-Specific: Nanori readings are almost always found only in names (both given names and surnames).
- Non-Standard: They deviate from the standard on'yomi and kun'yomi. Often, a kanji character will be assigned a completely different pronunciation in a name.
- Ambiguous: Without prior knowledge, it can be difficult to determine the correct nanori reading of a kanji in a name.
- Historical Origins: Some nanori have historical origins, deriving from older or less common readings.
- Simplification: Some nanori arise from simplifications or abbreviations of existing readings.
- Aesthetic Choices: Sometimes nanori are chosen for their aesthetic qualities or symbolic meaning, regardless of their conventional reading.
Examples of Nanori:
While it's difficult to comprehensively list nanori, here are a few simplified examples to illustrate the concept:
| Kanji | On'yomi (Example) | Kun'yomi (Example) | Nanori (Example in a name) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 七 | Shichi (七月 - July) | Nana (七つ - seven) | Nao (七海 - Nanami) |
| 女 | Jo (女性 - woman) | Onna (女の人 - woman) | Me (女子 - for girls' name) |
| 実 | Jitsu (事実 - fact) | Mi (実 - fruit) | Minoru (実 - Minoru - a common masculine name) |
Important Note: The above examples are simplified. Many kanji have multiple on'yomi and kun'yomi readings, and nanori can be even more varied. Looking up names in a dictionary is usually necessary to confirm the pronunciation.
Why Nanori Exist
The use of nanori adds a layer of depth and personalization to Japanese names. It allows parents to choose names that have specific meanings or sounds, even if those sounds don't align with the conventional readings of the kanji. This contributes to the rich and sometimes challenging nature of Japanese onomastics (the study of names).
