Surname Designation Day

What Is Surname Designation Day?

February 13 is "Surname Designation Day" (Myōji Seitei Kinenbi). On February 13, 1875, the Meiji government issued a Grand Council of State proclamation known as the "Commoner Surname Compulsion Edict," requiring every citizen to use a surname. From this day on, people who had previously not been allowed to use surnames were obliged to choose and register one officially. It marks a historic turning point, when every person in Japan came to have a surname.

From "Free to Use" to "Required to Use"

Earlier, on September 19, 1870, the Meiji government had issued the "Commoner Surname Permission Edict," allowing commoners to use surnames. But the practice spread slowly, partly because people suspected that taking a surname would lead to higher taxes, and partly out of long habit. So on this day in 1875, the government issued a firm order that surnames "must" be used. This set off a nationwide rush to decide on family names.

How So Many Surnames Came About

With the new obligation, people hurried to think of surnames. Some drew on the landscape where they lived (Tanaka, Yamaguchi, Mori), some on occupations (Hattori, Kaji), and others on the names of former lords or on auspicious characters — the origins are endlessly varied. Japan is said to have anywhere from over 100,000 to about 300,000 surnames, and part of that diversity reflects the choices our ancestors made at this time. February 13 is a day to think about the roots of your own name.

Thinking About Names and Identity

A surname is one of the most basic ways we are identified in society, and it also carries a family's history. February 13 was not just an administrative registration date; it symbolizes the process by which each person came to be recognized publicly. It is a day to remember that the surname we take for granted has been passed down through our ancestors' decisions and great changes of the times.

A First Step as a Modern Nation

Having every citizen use a surname was an essential step for the government to identify its people accurately and to run education, conscription, and taxation efficiently. Surname Designation Day also marks the moment Japan moved toward being a modern nation in which everyone, regardless of social status, uses a surname. It reminds us that the systems of today's society began with steady institutional design like this.

Trivia About Japanese Surnames

• Most common surnames: Satō is the most common in Japan, followed by Suzuki and Takahashi.
• About 80% from places: It is said that around 80% of Japanese surnames are related to place names or landscape features.
• Hard-to-read surnames: Many surnames have unusual readings, such as 小鳥遊, read "Takanashi."
• Surnames before Meiji: Some commoners privately had surnames, but in principle they were not allowed to use them in public.
• Creative naming: Stories survive of struggles over naming, such as a man who loved drinking being named "Sakamaki."

Know Your Roots, Rediscover Yourself

Surname Designation Day gives us a chance to unravel the story of our own family. What wishes went into choosing your surname, and where did your ancestors live? Looking into these questions helps you confirm your roots and feel the connections between generations. On February 13, take pride in your name and thank the people around you who call you by it.

Ideas for Enjoying Surname Designation Day

• Look up the origin and meaning of your surname using dictionaries or specialist websites
• Trace a little of your family tree, or ask relatives for old stories about your surname
• Revisit the meaning of the kanji in your name and rediscover your attachment to it
• Explore rare surnames in Japan and enjoy the expressive richness of Japanese and kanji

Passing the Baton of a Name

Surname Designation Day is a day to be aware of the "baton" of a name handed down from our ancestors. The name we use today carries the thoughts of ancestors who chose a surname about 150 years ago, as well as a long history before that. On February 13, try writing and saying your surname with care, and feel the weight and warmth in each character. Your name is the very first thing that is truly yours.