Ken in Japanese
In Japanese, Ken is written in katakana as ケン (Ken), the way Japanese people write foreign names. To write it in kanji, each sound gets a character chosen for its meaning. Our top pick is 賢 (ken): “wise”.
How Ken sounds in Japanese
Kanji for Ken
- 賢ken wiseWise and intelligent.
- 謙ken humilityHumble and modest; strength that does not need to boast.
- 健ken healthyHealthy, strong and full of life.
By style
Questions about Ken in Japanese
How do you write Ken in Japanese?
Ken is written ケン in katakana. Katakana is the script Japanese people use for foreign names, so this is how Ken would appear on a Japanese ID card, a café cup or a name tag.
What are the best kanji for Ken?
Our top pick is 賢 (Ken). 賢 means “wise”. Other good options are 謙 (Ken) and 健 (Ken).
Is 賢 a real Japanese name?
Yes. 賢 is also found in Japan as a boy’s name, read Ken, so it looks natural to Japanese readers. For Ken, it works as both a real-looking Japanese name and a kanji spelling of your own name.
How many strokes is 賢?
賢 has 16 strokes. It takes some practice to write neatly, so look up the stroke order before trying it with a brush.
Can I use 賢 as a tattoo?
Each character in 賢 has a positive meaning, so it is a reasonable choice. Keep in mind that Japanese people will read it as the meaning of the characters, not instantly as “Ken”. If you want your name to be recognized, katakana (ケン) is clearer. Either way, ask a native speaker to check the final design.
Make it yours
Pick the kind of person you are (Samurai, Shinobi, Miko and more) and Nazuke chooses kanji that match your personality. You can also save your result as an image.
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