Things to Know Before Traveling Abroad | Various Ways to Choose an English Name

Hello, this is Awork Academy.

Before traveling abroad for long-term travel, a working holiday, or language study, many people decide on an English Name, don't they?

Some people wonder,
"Do I really need an English name?"
"I want to just use my Japanese name!"
and of course that's perfectly fine too.

That said, having an English name is also one way to enjoy life abroad even more.

"Using a foreign name might feel strange"
"I'm worried I might pick an outdated name"
are concerns some people have, but once you actually go abroad,
you'll find that very many people use English names, and hardly anyone thinks deeply about it.

So this time, we're introducing a few ways to decide on an English name.

Various Ways to Choose an English Name

① Adapt Your Japanese Name

The most common and easiest approach is to choose an English name that sounds similar to your Japanese name.

Examples:

• Akari → Akari / Ariel (Ariel)

• Mio → Mio / Mia (Mia)

• Yui → Yui / Yvonne (Yvonne)

• Sota → Sota / Soren (Soren)

• Riku → Riku / Rick (Rick)
  Haruto → Haruto / Harry (Harry)

• Yuto → Yuto / Jude (Jude)
  
  

Another commonly used approach is choosing based on the initial sound of your name.

Examples:

• Names starting with "A" (Japanese あ-row: a, i, u, e, o): Aaron, Amelia, Alice, Aiden

• Names starting with "M" (Japanese ま-row: ma, mi, mu, me, mo): Michael, Mia, Mason, Maya

• Names starting with "S" (Japanese さ-row: sa, shi, su, se, so): Samuel, Sophia, Stella, Sean

② Choose an English Name with a Good Meaning

Many people also choose based on the meaning of the English name.

Examples:

• Noah: rest, peace
• Mateo: gift from God
• Dylan: son of the sea
• Anthony: priceless one
• Angela: angel
• Bella: beautiful
• Chloe: young shoot, blooming
• Nevaeh: "Heaven" spelled backward

Knowing the meaning can make you feel more attached to the name.

③ Choose Based on the Season or Month You Were Born

As a slightly unique and memorable approach,
you can also base your name on your birth month or season.

Examples:

• Ruby: July birthstone

• Sapphire: September birthstone

• Summer: summer

• May: May

These names are simple, but tend to leave a lasting impression.

④ Translate the Meaning of Your Japanese Name into English

Translating the meaning of your Japanese name
directly into an English name is also popular.

Examples:

• 光 → Claire / Gloria

• 優 → Grace / Kind

• 真 → Vera / True

• 愛 → Amara / Abby

This is recommended for those who want to cherish the meaning of their own name.

Summary | Enjoy an English Name That Feels Like You

This time, we introduced various ways to decide on an English name before studying a language abroad.

You don't necessarily have to use an English name, but choosing a name that fits your own image could make your life abroad even more special and enjoyable.

Please use this article as a reference and try thinking of an English name that feels like you.

On Awork Academy's official website, we've posted plenty of information useful for language study abroad life.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.