I am preparing to move back to Japan in 4-6 months. I will not know for sure though until a few weeks before I leave. Because I have a 3 year old boy in the Kansai area, I will plan on living in Japan for the rest of my life. If I do this, I think I will try to completely immerse myself to the point I would one day try to become a Japanese citizen.

I wonder if they would let me choose a Kanji name? Changing my name is nothing major to me. I had my full name legally changed in 1997 during my hippie days living on the beaches of Hawaii. Before identity theft was prevalent, it only required $50 and a one page application.
I am also known as Karma Yeshe Sampton in Dharma circles. A name given to me by my Guru and one I would take on if I ever became a monk. My online name is one I made up combining two Sanskrit words. I chose that as a reminder not to be an ass (as I have often been) in the anonymous world of the internet.

What kanji would I like to have as my name? A former Japanese girlfriend would write my name 天日 (Tempi is a shortened version of my real name) in emails. But maybe I would change my first name as well. For my last name I was thinking maybe 小虎, Small Tiger (It would be cool as well because the Hanshin Tigers will be near by). For my first name, I thought since I am from Kauai, Hawaii, maybe カウアイ. But that sounds too "cute".

Maybe 小虎アロハ. Kodora, Aloha

What name would you chose if you were to completely lose your mind as I seemingly have?

ウルトラマン

Hashiriya Wrote:ウルトラマン

Now THAT's kool!

I think these names are quite nice:
Haruki
Jun
Hokuto
Atsushi
Osamu

But I guess these might be a bit too 'plain' for you, Mr. Karma Yeshe Sampton in Dharma circles

Hashiriya Wrote:ウルトラマン

Did your wife give you that name?

While I understand your reasons (living in Japan for the rest of your life, 3 year old son, etc) it makes a lot of sense to choose a kanji name.

But I can't see myself doing it. One of my friends already changed his name to　賢司, "Kenji," but I'm not quite sure why. I can't see myself doing anything like this, however.

If I were you, I would choose a name that is just a single kanji. And something awesome looking at that. Perhaps 武. It's a common name, Takeshi, but I like the way the kanji looks.

What about something more close to what you were named?

I've heard of a guy Named Caio Pereira Campos, or something like it. Pereira is a 桃 tree. Campos is 原 so he became 桃原, read as ももはら. And kept the first name, that kinda fits in Japanese (かよ), (yeah I know it is a girls name, but wtf).

I was following the same thought and I was thinking of a Japanese name for me.
My granma allways called me みろ, so that would be my first choice for first name.
My actual surname is the name of a city of what I know nothing about in Germany, but the city from where my family comes here in Brazil is Blumenau. Blumen means Flowers and au is a sufix for floodplains. I was thinking of simplifying it to 花川, read as はなかわ. So, what you think?

For Japanese names, I like Mitsuki, just for the sound. Not sure if I would change my name to it, though, I dislike my real name but probably not.

For guys I like Itsuki (which I guess you can use as a surname as well, maybe with this Kanji: 斎), and Hiroshi. I like Kodora, but Rikaichan suggests it could also be interpreted as 'drinker' which would put me off... (sorry!)
Maybe you could choose the name of a monk?

I can see why you'd at least consider it. I guess if the worst came to the worst you could ask to be addressed as something different.

Edit: Hmm, random search on the internet suggests I could get away with 荒秀理意 as an attempt to render Ashley (which is a name I've always liked) based on phonetic readings. Tempting, but almost certainly inadvisable, I should think. ; )
Like hanakawa, Mentat, that seems to work nicely.

I like traditional samurai names, though I think you would get funny looks if you took one like that, like taking a knighted name in England or something. "Yeah, I changed my name to Newton. So what?".

I would personally name myself Kenji or Keigo, simply because I like those names. They have no connection with me or my real name in any way.

ヒバゴン

or

阿些摩 箱羅鮎

ahibba Wrote:阿些摩 箱羅鮎

Posting things like that doesn't make you popular mr. Ahibba

*scrap the mr. on second thought

ahibba Wrote:阿些摩 箱羅鮎

Registering a name like that would most likely get one deported.

I would keep my first name, unless there was a Japanese name that holds the same meaning, as in an actual name not just made up but an actual in-use name. My name is from the bible and has a cool meaning.

I wouldn't mind changing my last name though, since I grew up with a father that wasn't around (read: didn't want to be around) I only knew my mother's side of the family so I have no allegiance to my last name, and despite it sounding EXACTLY like it's spelled 9 out of 10 people cannot say it correctly (ironically the katakana version is very close to how it should sound).

Musashi Wrote:Posting things like that doesn't make you popular mr. Ahibba

*scrap the mr. on second thought

Why?

Well, I think 轡兜羅 亜努屡蒲 is better

bodhisamaya Wrote:Registering a name like would most likely get one deported.

Didn't you hear about the friendship between the former Justice Minister and this man?

I reckon the coolest Japanese guy name is 龍也（たつや）
not just for the sound but the inclusion of dragon which is a real awesome Kanji

圭 けい

I always loved the name 徹夜（てつや）。

Or 鉄矢, lol.
Choosing Kanji for names is so much fun.

Squintox Wrote:I always loved the name 徹夜（てつや）。

It sound so... tired.

I would choose OHNO

雷電

I can't say I've ever come across a male name that I've ever really liked, but there are a number of girl's names that I love. I guess I'd need to be a ニューハーフ if I wanted to pretend that I was Japanese.

龍之介

thermal Wrote:I would choose OHNO

That means delicious in Hawaiian