Explore names and meanings by language

A reliable name guide begins with the language itself.

Japanese

Japanese given names can be written with different kanji, and the meaning can change with the spelling. A pronunciation alone is not enough to guarantee a single meaning. VooWood shows the relevant writing whenever it is important and distinguishes ordinary vocabulary from established personal-name usage.

Latin

For Latin, VooWood distinguishes ancient personal names from ordinary Latin vocabulary. A useful Latin word can inspire a modern name, but that does not make it a common Roman given name.

German

For German and Germanic names, VooWood distinguishes modern German words from older Germanic name elements. Similar spelling is not enough to prove a shared meaning.