Kanji 姓: surname
Key takeaways
Kanji 姓: surname. Readings and core meaning.
See vocabulary and examples below.
Kanji at a glance
Core meaning / core image
Core meaning: 姓
surname
Kanji structure breakdown
Mnemonic story
Mnemonic story
In ancient times, lineage was often traced through the mother. When a woman (女) gives birth (生) to a child, the family name given to that child is their surname (姓).
