改名(かいめい)

かいめい
noun
changing one's name
society
1. changing one's name; renaming
The act of legally or officially changing a person's name, or the renaming of a place, organization, or product.
結婚(けっこん)を機(き)に改名(かいめい)した。
I changed my name upon getting married.
改名(かいめい)の手続(てつづ)きには家庭裁判所(かていさいばんしょ)の許可(きょか)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Changing one's name requires permission from the family court.
あの会社(かいしゃ)は不祥事(ふしょうじ)の後(あと)、社名(しゃめい)を改名(かいめい)してイメージを一新(いっしん)しようとした。
After the scandal, that company tried to refresh its image by changing its name.

Covers changing a personal name, a company name, a place name, or any other formal name. In Japan, legal name changes for individuals require approval from a family court (家庭裁判所(かていさいばんしょ)) and are granted only for justifiable reasons.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 改姓(かいせい): changing one's surname — specifically the family name, typically upon marriage or divorce
  • 芸名(げいめい): stage name — a name adopted for professional use in entertainment
  • 襲名(しゅうめい): name succession — inheriting a traditional name, common in kabuki and traditional arts

Related Words

Compare: 芸名(げいめい) (stage name)
Compare: 名称変更(めいしょうへんこう) (name change)
general
Added 2026.3.31 23:05 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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