Nihon Name Generator

A comprehensive Node.js library for generating authentic Japanese names with kanji, hiragana readings, romaji, and detailed meanings. Perfect for game development, creative writing, testing, and cultural projects.

✨ Features

• 🎌 Comprehensive Database: Over 2000+ authentic Japanese names
  • 300+ surnames (family names)
  • 600+ male given names
  • 600+ female given names
  • 500+ unisex given names
• 📖 Detailed Information: Each name includes:
  • Kanji characters (漢字)
  • Hiragana reading (ひらがな)
  • Romaji transliteration
  • Meaning and etymology
  • Kanji count
  • Thematic tags (nature, peace, strength, beauty, love, light, wisdom)
• 🎯 Flexible Filtering: Filter by gender, kanji count, meaning tags
• 🔍 Search Functionality: Search names by kanji, romaji, or meaning
• 📊 Statistics: Get database statistics and available tags
• 🌐 Full Name Generation: Automatically combine surnames and given names

📦 Installation

npm install nihon-name-generator

🚀 Quick Start

const { 
  generateSurnames, 
  generateGivenNames, 
  generateFullNames,
  searchNames 
} = require('nihon-name-generator');

// Generate random surnames
const surnames = generateSurnames({ count: 3 });
console.log(surnames);
// Output:
// [
//   {
//     kanji: '佐藤',
//     reading: 'さとう',
//     romaji: 'Sato',
//     meaning: 'Sa (help) + To (Fujiwara clan)',
//     kanjiCount: 2,
//     tags: ['strength']
//   },
//   ...
// ]

// Generate male given names
const maleNames = generateGivenNames({ 
  count: 2, 
  gender: 'male',
  tag: 'strength' 
});

// Generate full names
const fullNames = generateFullNames({ 
  count: 5, 
  gender: 'female' 
});

// Search for names
const results = searchNames('yuki', { type: 'given' });

📚 API Documentation

generateSurnames(options)

Generate random Japanese surnames.

Parameters:

• options.count (number, optional): Number of names to generate (1-10). Default: 1
• options.kanjiCount (string|number, optional): Filter by kanji count (1, 2, 3, or 'all'). Default: 'all'
• options.tag (string, optional): Filter by tag ('nature', 'peace', 'strength', 'beauty', 'love', 'light', 'wisdom', or 'all'). Default: 'all'

Returns: Array of surname objects

generateGivenNames(options)

Generate random Japanese given names.

Parameters:

• options.count (number, optional): Number of names to generate (1-10). Default: 1
• options.gender (string, optional): Gender filter ('male', 'female', 'unisex', or 'all'). Default: 'all'
• options.kanjiCount (string|number, optional): Filter by kanji count. Default: 'all'
• options.tag (string, optional): Filter by tag. Default: 'all'

Returns: Array of given name objects

generateFullNames(options)

Generate complete Japanese names (surname + given name).

Parameters:

• options.count (number, optional): Number of full names to generate (1-10). Default: 1
• options.gender (string, optional): Gender filter for given name. Default: 'all'
• options.tag (string, optional): Filter by tag. Default: 'all'

Returns: Array of full name objects with combined information

searchNames(query, options)

Search for names by kanji, romaji, or meaning.

Parameters:

• query (string): Search term
• options.type (string, optional): Type filter ('surname', 'given', or 'all'). Default: 'all'
• options.gender (string, optional): Gender filter for given names. Default: 'all'

Returns: Array of matching name objects

getAvailableTags()

Get list of all available meaning tags.

Returns: Array of tag strings

getStats()

Get database statistics.

Returns: Object with counts of surnames, male/female/unisex names, and available tags

💡 Usage Examples

Example 1: Character Name Generator

const { generateFullNames } = require('nihon-name-generator');

function createCharacter(gender, theme) {
  const names = generateFullNames({ 
    count: 1, 
    gender: gender,
    tag: theme 
  });
  
  const character = names[0];
  console.log(`
Character Name: ${character.kanji}
Reading: ${character.reading}
Romaji: ${character.romaji}
Meaning: ${character.meaning}
Themes: ${character.tags.join(', ')}
  `);
}

createCharacter('female', 'beauty');

Example 2: Name with Specific Kanji Count

const { generateGivenNames } = require('nihon-name-generator');

// Generate names with exactly 2 kanji characters
const names = generateGivenNames({ 
  count: 5, 
  gender: 'male',
  kanjiCount: 2 
});

names.forEach(name => {
  console.log(`${name.kanji} (${name.romaji}) - ${name.meaning}`);
});

Example 3: Theme-Based Name Generator

const { generateFullNames } = require('nihon-name-generator');

// Generate names with nature theme
const natureNames = generateFullNames({ 
  count: 10, 
  tag: 'nature' 
});

console.log('Nature-themed Japanese names:');
natureNames.forEach(name => {
  console.log(`${name.romaji}: ${name.kanji} - ${name.meaning}`);
});

Example 4: Name Search

const { searchNames } = require('nihon-name-generator');

// Search for names containing "sakura" (cherry blossom)
const results = searchNames('sakura');

console.log(`Found ${results.length} names related to "sakura":`);
results.forEach(result => {
  console.log(`- ${result.kanji} (${result.romaji}): ${result.meaning}`);
});

🎨 Meaning Tags

Names are categorized with thematic tags:

• nature: Names related to natural elements (trees, mountains, rivers, flowers)
• peace: Names representing harmony, tranquility, and peace
• strength: Names symbolizing power, courage, and resilience
• beauty: Names associated with aesthetics and elegance
• love: Names expressing affection, kindness, and warmth
• light: Names related to brightness, illumination, and clarity
• wisdom: Names representing knowledge, intelligence, and enlightenment

🌐 Website

Check out the interactive web version: Japanese Name Generator

The website features:

• Interactive name generation with real-time filters
• Beautiful cherry blossom animations
• Detailed name explanations
• Name search functionality
• Cultural insights about Japanese naming traditions

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Name database compiled from authentic Japanese naming resources
• Cultural meanings and readings verified for accuracy
• Inspired by traditional Japanese naming conventions and kanji etymology

📮 Support

If you have any questions or suggestions, please:

• Open an issue on GitHub
• Visit our website: https://yourdomain.com

🔗 Related Projects

• Japanese Name Generator Website - Interactive web interface
• Check out our blog posts about Japanese naming traditions

Made with ❤️ for Japanese language and culture enthusiasts