Japanese nicknames...? Derivatives, like Bob from Robert...?!
Question: Specifically, the names Shinji (as in Shinji Ikari, from Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Shinichi (as in Shinichi Chiaki, from Nodame Cantabile.) I realize there is no connection between the two mangas. But, are these common Japanese boys' names...? Is one a version of the other, or are the resemblance only a superficial conincidence? Just wondering.
8 DEC 07, 2205 hrs, GMT.
Answers: Specifically, the names Shinji (as in Shinji Ikari, from Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Shinichi (as in Shinichi Chiaki, from Nodame Cantabile.) I realize there is no connection between the two mangas. But, are these common Japanese boys' names...? Is one a version of the other, or are the resemblance only a superficial conincidence? Just wondering.
8 DEC 07, 2205 hrs, GMT.
Most names, although are derivatives from one another, can be used.
For example:
Shin, which means "truth", "new" or "sincerity" is a common boy's name. We can add something to make a different yet useful boy's name.
Shin (nothing is added)
Shinichi ("-ichi" is added. Ichi means "one", the number)
Shinji ("-ji" is added. Ji can mean "two", or "child")
Shinsuke ("-suke" is added. No meaning, but common in a boy's name)
Shinnosuke (not only "-suke", but also has "-no". "No" means "of")
Shinichiro (added with "-ichi" and "-ro". "Ro" normally means "man", or "child". For boys)
All of them have different meanings but are derived from the same word.
Let's try something else: "Natsu". Natsu, meaning Summer, is a boy's name, but let's see some other variations:
Natsuko ("-ko" is added, meaning "child". This suffix is common for a girl's name)
Natsuru ("-ru" is added. I don't know what that means, but I have seen it being used on a girl's name, someone tomboyish)
Natsuki ("-ki", which I'm not sure the meaning, is commonly used by boys)
Natsumi ("-mi", meaning "beautiful" or "beauty", is a common girl's suffix)
Natsuro (a boy's name, obviously - but is rarely used because it sounds odd)
Chinatsu (Unlike others which are put as suffices, this has a prefix, "Chi-". Chi means "a thousand", normally used by girls)
Both Shinji and Shinichi are common boys' names. They don't have to be in connection whatsoever in whatever. There can be hundreds of people with the name Shinji and Shinichi, but not all of them are linked to each other, even if they have the same family name. =^_^=
Yoshi
Japanese manga names are just normal names like james, but they add vowels and k's in random places
yea I don't thing there is japanese nicknames just suffixes on the end of the name like -ni chan -sama or -dono
I'm not really sure about Japanese names but in Bleach there is only one guy with out a Japan name. Its Chad and thats not his real name its a nick name. Sorry I don't think this helped but it may help you arrive at an answer later.
Finally, a subject I can be of some use on. XD
Nicknames are often considered rude in Japan, unless it's a child or someone you're VERY intimate with. (Or, unless, the bestower of the nickname just doesn't care about boundaries.)
Sometimes these are as simple as adding a honorific to the name (-kun, -chan....). The latter can be used for your lover or for very young girls or boys (though it usually drops off around puberty, after which people only use it with someone they're in a relationship with or towards a very good friend).
"-Kun" is used by people of senior status in addressing those beneath them, by men of roughly the same age and status when speaking with each other (in a business setting, they might be more likely to use "san", however), and typically when addressing teenage boys. Sometimes men use it when speaking to younger women, too.
Also! Sometimes a syllable of the persons name is dropped. In Azumanga Daioh, Koyomi's name because "Yomi".
Occasionally, a syllable is dropped -and- and an honorific is added. In Sailor Moon, Usagi and Mamoru address each other "Mamo-kun" and "Usako".