Name to Katakana Converter名前 カタカナ 変換 — for the フリガナ line
On a Japanese resume, foreign names go in katakana on the フリガナ line. Type your name the way it sounds and get the katakana instantly — then copy it into your resume.
Katakana (フリガナ)
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This is a phonetic best-guess — spellings vary, so confirm your official katakana with a native speaker or your city office, then use the same spelling everywhere.
Why your name needs katakana
The フリガナ line tells a Japanese reader how to pronounce your name — it is how the interviewer will know what to call you. Foreign names are always written in katakana there, even when the label uses hiragana for Japanese names. For the full rule on ふりがな vs フリガナ and address readings, see furigana on a Japanese resume.
Pick one spelling and keep it
Katakana spellings of foreign names vary, so this tool gives a phonetic best-guess. Once you settle on a spelling, use the same one everywhere — resume, bank account, phone contract, city-office paperwork — to avoid mismatches later. When in doubt, confirm with a native speaker.
How to use it, step by step
- Type your name the way it is pronounced, family name first if you follow the Japanese order.
- Check the result and adjust long vowels (ー) or sounds such as “v” so it matches how you say your name.
- Compare it with any katakana spelling already on your Japanese documents, such as a bank account or phone contract, and use that one if it exists.
- Copy it into the furigana line of the resume and keep the same spelling on every document.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official katakana spelling of my name?
No. Your residence card shows your name in Latin letters, and the katakana reading is a convention you choose. Once you have chosen it, use it consistently, because banks and city offices may record it.
Should the family name come first?
Yes. Japanese resumes put the family name first, which also matches the order on your residence card. Keep the same order in the main name field and in the katakana reading.
Do I put a space between the parts of my name?
Yes. Separate family name, given name, and any middle names with a space or a middle dot (・), for example スミス ジョン or スミス・ジョン.
My form says ふりがな in hiragana. Do I still use katakana?
Yes. Foreign names are written in katakana even under a ふりがな label. The hiragana rule applies to Japanese words such as your address.
Is the converter always right?
It gives a sensible starting point based on common conventions, but English spelling does not always show pronunciation. Check the result against how you actually say your name.
Add it to your resume
Drop your katakana straight into the free editor, which has dedicated furigana fields, or browse more resume tools.