Lan in Japanese
In Japanese, Lan is written in katakana as ラン (Ran), 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 藍 (ran): “indigo”.
How Lan sounds in Japanese
Kanji for Lan
- 藍ran indigoIndigo, the deep blue dye of traditional Japanese cloth.Japan blue (藍色) was so common that foreigners called it “Japan blue.”
- 良ra goodnessSimply good: kind, sound and well made.
- 蘭ran orchidThe orchid, a symbol of elegance and refinement.Rangaku, or "Dutch Learning," was the scientific study of Western medicine and technology during Japan's isolation era.
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Questions about Lan in Japanese
How do you write Lan in Japanese?
Lan is written ラン in katakana. Katakana is the script Japanese people use for foreign names, so this is how Lan would appear on a Japanese ID card, a café cup or a name tag.
What are the best kanji for Lan?
Our top pick is 藍 (Ran). 藍 means “indigo”. Other good options are 良 (Ra) and 蘭 (Ran).
Is 藍 a real Japanese name?
Yes. 藍 is also found in Japan as a girl’s name, read Ran, so it looks natural to Japanese readers. For Lan, it works as both a real-looking Japanese name and a kanji spelling of your own name.
How many strokes is 藍?
藍 has 18 strokes. It takes some practice to write neatly, so look up the stroke order before trying it with a brush.
Can I use 藍 as a tattoo?
Each character in 藍 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 “Lan”. If you want your name to be recognized, katakana (ラン) is clearer. Either way, ask a native speaker to check the final design.
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Nearby names
Lalita · Lalo · Lalu · Lamar · Lamonica · Lamont · Lana · Lance · Lander · Landon · Lane · Lang