Can you think of something that is yours but others use it more than you? It’s your name.
Our names identify us and, in some cases, may shape who we are through the name’s meaning. By the way, do you know the meaning of your name? In Japan it is more straightforward with names being written in kanji, but in many cultures, names have meanings that are rooted in a location, occupation or characteristic. Then there is the issue of how common or unusual a name is. Common names, while being well known and easy to recognize, can come with misidentification. On the other hand, unusual names, while standing out, can leave people confused or struggling to read let alone remember. So, have you ever wondered how common a name is or the meaning of it? It’s well known that Suzuki is one of the most common names in Japan, but where does it rank? Cruise can mean to fly, drive, or sail at a constant speed or to sail from place to place, but are either of those the meaning of Tom Cruise’s name?
To answer these questions there is a handy website called Forebears. This site not only provides name meanings, but also the name’s ranking in the world and frequency within the countries that it occurs. Using Forebears, I found that Suzuki is the 283rd most common surname (last name) in the world and number two in Japan. Cruise, according to Forebears, comes from the British Isles meaning merry; brisk, lively.
I have a German friend who lives in Kyoto, and I looked up his surname, Schmoecker. on Forebears and found that there is one incidence of that name occurring in Japan. It is fun to think that I might know the one and only Schmoecker in Japan. So, if you are curious about the frequency of a name and/or its meaning, check out Forebears and explore the world of names. Erik