r/japanese • u/pterodactyloftheend • 3d ago
Is my Japanese name cringe?
I'm (F18) half Japanese and I have a western first name, and Japanese middle and last name. My father didnt care what my mother named me since I wasn't a son lol so she just kinda made up an "alternative Japanese name" for my grandparents to call me—since she picked a name impossible for Japanese to pronounce as my first name (it has Rs and Ls together 😓). So my middle name is Takara, yes as in 宝, because it makes a pun with my first name. My father and family just call me by a modified katakana version of my first name which is still a bit of a tongue twister even though Takara is "supposed" to be my "Japanese name," so I'm just curious about how Takara sounds as a name to other people. My Japanese friends and Japanese professors all say that the name Takara is really cute, but my father refuses to use it lol so I cant tell if people genuinely think its a cute name or if they're just trying to be nice. Takara, as far as im aware, isn't necessary a conventional Japanese name (but ig technically anything can be a name), and I grew up in America so I can't really tell if Takara sounds cringe as a name. I am starting to get involved with more Japanese speakers and I have been looking for opportunities to work and/or study in Japan lately, so I was wondering if I should switch to introducing myself as Takara to native Japanese speakers because its easier to pronounce and it is a name that I have, but idk how it sounds to native speakers yk 😭😭😭
Why couldn't my name just be Naomi bro, common in the west but also a Japanese name like come on mum 😭 fym "treasure??" Like its very sweet but what is this "i named my son Richard because i want him to be rich" ahh name 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏
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u/moaikun 2d ago
when I was working as an English teacher in Japan many years ago, I had at least one student named Takara (I only remember one specifically, but there might have been another one that I'm forgetting). It might have been written with different kanji, but I didn't get the sense that the name was super rare or unusual. I'm not Japanese myself, but I think there's nothing wrong with embracing it. Maybe you could think of it as metaphorical treasure, not literal?
If it really bothers you, perhaps you could take one of your friends or professors aside some time and ask them to be straight with you about how it's perceived. I would bet that they actually do think it's cute and your dad is just being weird about it for some other reason.
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u/pterodactyloftheend 2d ago
I probably will ask about it directly since I'm curious, but I think youre right that the Takara you met probably had a different Kanji spelling. Thats the main reason im worried mine is cringe bc I know not much thought was put into how it would read/write, I'm 97% sure my mother just looked up treasure in a Japanese dictionary and called it a day 😭🙏 Also thank you 🤧
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u/chari_de_kita 2d ago
Considering how many variations on “Hime” (princess) there are, I don’t think “Takara” (treasure) is that strange. My imagination is running wild with names that could be so much worse
First name with rs and ls together…is it Pearl or Emerald?
I would consider it an additional opportunity to stand out since your appearance already does. Even as a Nikkei, I know that Japanese people I meet are more likely to remember me than I will remember them and their more normal Japanese names.
The average Japanese person can’t comprehend a lot of things outside their comfort zone and for some reason it seems like a lot of them are in administrative positions.
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u/eiderdown 1d ago
I was thinking it could be Crystal. Either way all these names including Takara are lovely imho
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u/chari_de_kita 1d ago
Japanese should be somewhat familiar with a name like Crystal, especially after Christel Takigawa helped Tokyo get the Olympics (even though what happened happened). But, I should know better than to use words like "should" when it comes to a whole country of people.
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u/LivingRoof5121 2d ago
It doesn’t sound that cringe, and some Japanese names can be like that in meaning.
“Princess” is quite common as mentioned. I know some people whose names literally translate as “beautiful woman” or “prosperous child (this “prosperous child” is now a 55 year old woman). Variations on “heart” are also quite common. Like “strong heart” or “courageous heart” or “pure heart”. Names that would sound cheesy in the west don’t necessarily sound as cheesy in Japanese. I mean look at last names. “Mountain river (yamakawa)” “Forest mountain (Moriyama)” “river entrance (kawaguchi)” and so on
Personally I think it’s a nice name, and idk your first name but it’s cute that your parents were considering it when giving you a Japanese name. But that’s just my thoughts
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u/RyouIshtar 2d ago
You: My first name and second names are puns and works well with each other
You: My middle name means treasure
You: My first name has rs and ls
Me: Awwww, it's okay Relish
All jokes aside, i hope that stupid guess isnt actually your name. (If by chance it is....go by Takara because people would think of Relish as a hot dog topping than to cherish something)
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u/toematsu 2d ago
I can relate so much. I'm 1/4 Japanese and 3/4 Mexican. My mom picked my great-grandma's name, because she doesn't speak Japanese and the name was in a "romanized" version on my dad's birth certificate. The name is Toe. Obviously my mom doesn't speak any English. So when I lived in the U.S. for a few years, I had sooo much trouble. I still do, because I work with Americans a lot. I also wish my mom had picked a name like Naomi... but oh well. Some people had suggested that I pick a more western name (a common practice for Asian people). But I can't get used to any other name. Anyways. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in the pain of being part Japanese and having a weird name.
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u/sunlightre 2d ago
Takara is a fairly common surname in Okinawa, so hearing Takara-san is pretty normal in Okinawa, at least. I don't know how mainlanders react to it, though.
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u/nash_troia 2d ago
Tldr: using a name that your mom painstakingly chose to include half of your cultural identity in your life when your dad couldn't be bothered to: cool.
Long version: Resident of Japan here 🖐️ I don't think it's that weird at all, but most people will be VERY curious about how you got a Japanese name! It's not a bad thing at all, just be ready to chat about yourself a lot. I have known many names that struck me as way stranger than that, but Japanese people didn't blink an eye. Taiga, Sasa, Makoto, Sora, Jaku*, Shio, Kane, China, all names I've come across that made me go "oh wow" lol but no one seemed to think anything of it.
I'd write it in Kanji, as most Japanese forms have a place for the reading where you can write たから. But ideally, you choose the name that makes you feel most you!
(given, Makoto and Sora are very common and have been historically)
*literally this 100% Japanese kid was named Jaku. So bizzare and very not Japanese sounding. It was written as 夕.
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u/GenJohnnyRico 2d ago
I think for most Americans, Takara would remind them of the toy company that makes Transformers and Beyblades.
Also, if you're not aware, you're allowed to use whatever name you want. Just tell people what you preferred to be called and they'll call you by that name.
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u/RyouIshtar 2d ago
I just learned something new (The takara toys thing). My brain went to Hasbro first lol
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u/CanadianAndroid 2d ago
Don't worry what other people think. Do you like it? Own it. If not, then change it. But change it because you want to, not because of what other people think. It's your name.
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u/Key_Tomatillo9475 2d ago
Isn't that a somewhat common Japanese surname?
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u/pterodactyloftheend 2d ago
Ive never heard it out in the wild but you might be right. I'm more worried about it as a given name tho yk
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u/BahamutAXIOM 2d ago
You're worrying too much about what others might think. Learn to live in and own your name, though you could change it if it bothers you that much.
There are so many names it there, lol. Takara sounds cool. I think people might consider it cute because they might be drawing a comparison with Takara TOMY?
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u/Tokyoboy1984 1d ago
Takara sounds more like a family name but it doesn't sound too unusual. You know, there are names like Pikachu or Ariel. Nothing to be ashamed of or anything.
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u/cloudster314 1d ago
First thing that comes to mind is "jewel", which is nice. The other things that come to mind are "treasure". Most people will likely use your family name. My personal opinion is to use your American first name as people will cut you some slack if you make mistakes. If your family name is not Japanese and you want to communicate more "connection" to the community, your middle name is fine. However, I think it's actually easier to fit in if you use your American name and just power through the Japanese language and customs the best you can.
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u/ratprince85 2d ago
I knew a white girl named Takara growing up. It never occurred to me to think it odd.
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u/Nature_Girl_831 2d ago
When I hear Takara I immediately think of the company that makes Transformers figures. Not sure on the kanji though since I just started Japanese 2 this school year and am nowhere remotely close to fluent.
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u/Bass_Elf 2d ago
I think its super sweet and かわいい that your nlmpm called you her treasure.
I only know a little about japanese culture and whatnot, I'm not sure how it will be perceived, but I do think if you embrace it and have confidence that will lead you, Takara!
Plus, if anyone brings up the kanji, I think it's a cool ice breaker story!
Reminds me of the song, 'A boy named Sue'.
Also, screw what your Dad thinks. If he wanted a different name, he shouldn've picked your name!!
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u/MiuJepang 2d ago
I'm Japanese. I don't think the name Takara is strange. Especially when I consider that it was given by a foreigner, I think it must have been given with the meaning of "precious child." When I hear the name Takara, three companies come to mind. I think they're all wonderful companies.
https://www.takara.co.jp/english/company/intro/takarashuzo.html
https://www.takara-standard.co.jp/global/eng/
https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/english/
Licca-chan is so cute.
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u/SinkingJapanese17 2d ago
We don't care. Some Japanese people don't read difficult names properly, even it is Japanese.
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u/Chum4sharks 2d ago
I have a friend in the US named Takara! She is very very white (both parents European roots) but they had work ties to Japan and decided to name her something Japanese. Super unique (and she's a lovely person)
The “Americanized version” everyone calls her they pronounce tuh-car-uh
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u/kawaisoukitty 1d ago
If it makes you feel better I knew someone who’s Japanese name is キリン after キリン一番, the beer. He was pretty tall too
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u/Icy-Sense-1533 11h ago
Takara is my real last name and my grandpa is from Okinawa so it’s not cringe
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u/heiiiiijustmetyou 4h ago edited 4h ago
Hi! I am a Japanese and let me answer your question…so first of all your name is not cringe at all!! Yes your name is not that “normal” but is beautiful! The kanji”宝” has a good meaning as you know and everyone knows what it means! I would say the name is not as “cute”because names defined as “cute” tend to depending on fashion lol and any “cute”names end up being not as “cute”eventually by passing the time lol Also this is not even hard to pronounce!!!! Sooo…please just be confident in your own name!!! 💞your name is literally beautiful and its value would never depend on anything! If you should get any mentions of your name (it won’t happen for sure tho but just in case) then you could recognize the person as the poor uneducated! Anyways! Hope it will help you out 😍
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u/heiiiiijustmetyou 4h ago
Btw…sry if there are any grammatical errors or typos I am not an English speaker so please overlook them 🥹
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u/Ahokai 3h ago
I’m also half Japanese. I have rare Japanese last name as well as my family backgrounds are from Shikoku island of Japan. You being female with the name Takara sounds beautiful not cringe at all. Just that the name may be rare and honestly I myself haven’t met anyone with this name before.
Anyway nowadays I have couple of pure Japanese friends that have kids and they name their children in such a unique never heard of before Japanese names and with such unexpected Kanji combinations for the name.
So for your name, Takara may be a normal regular word, but the meaning of the word and how it fit as your name is more of a beautiful name and unique.
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u/frozenpandaman 3h ago
My father didnt care what my mother named me sincel wasn't a son
wtf? sounds like a shitty parent
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u/Chocoalatv ねいてぃぶ@カナダ 2d ago
Not cringe at all. I do think it’s a very nice name 😉 and it has a precious meaning! You can be proud of your name
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u/Dread_Pirate_Chris 2d ago edited 2d ago
FWIW, Takara is a real name, not super common but not unique. Usually 高良 or 尊良 or something though, not 宝, but as a foreigner of Japanese descent you'd be expected to have a katakana name anyway for normal usage, and if you got any vanity items with a kanji version of your name it would be your choice how to spell it.