How names are written in Japanese

Japanese writes names from other languages in katakana, by sound, not spelling. That is why Michael becomes マイケル (Maikeru): the "ch" is pronounced k, and every consonant except n needs a vowel after it.

Japanese has fewer sounds than English, so some sounds are changed:

L and R both become the r-row: Laura → ローラ, Rose → ローズ.
Long sounds get the long mark ー: Lee → リー, Paul → ポール. A final "-er" or "-or" usually becomes ー too: Taylor → テイラー.
A final consonant gets a u or o sound: Mark → マーク, Ted → テッド.
Double consonants such as tt and ck often add the small ッ, a short pause: Matt → マット, Jack → ジャック.
Th becomes s or z: Elizabeth → エリザベス, Matthew → マシュー. A few names keep a t sound, like Thomas → トーマス.
V is written with the b-row (Kevin → ケビン) or with ヴ (ケヴィン). Both are correct; the b-row is more common.

Because it goes by sound, the same name can be written in more than one way, and people usually choose the spelling closest to how they say their own name.

Popular names in Japanese

Name	Katakana	Reading
Aaliyah	アリーヤ	Arīya
Aarav	アーラブ	Ārabu
Aaron	アーロン	Āron
Abbey	アビー	Abī
Abbie	アビー	Abī
Abby	アビー	Abī
Abel	エイベル	Eiberu
Abigail	アビゲイル	Abigeiru
Abraham	エイブラハム	Eiburahamu
Ace	エース	Ēsu
Ada	エイダ	Eida
Adaline	アデライン	Aderain
Adalyn	アダリン	Adarin
Adalynn	アダリン	Adarin
Adam	アダム	Adamu
Adan	アダン	Adan
Addison	アディソン	Adison
Adelaide	アデレード	Aderēdo
Adele	アデル	Aderu
Adeline	アデライン	Aderain
Adelyn	アデリン	Aderin
Adolfo	アドルフォ	Adorufo
Adonis	アドニス	Adonisu
Adrian	エイドリアン	Eidorian

Can I write my name in kanji?

Foreign names are normally written in katakana, and that is what you will see on Japanese forms, ID cards and name tags. Some people pick kanji that sound like their name (for example 恵美里 for Emily), but there is no standard way to do it, and the kanji meanings can be odd. If you want a real Japanese name with kanji and meanings, try the Japanese name generator.

FAQ

Is this the official way to write my name?: There is no single official spelling. Japanese offices write foreign names in katakana the way the person pronounces them. The checked names here use the most common spelling, so you will be understood everywhere.
Why does my name look different from the spelling?: Katakana follows the sound. Silent letters disappear (Kate → ケイト) and letters that sound different change (Sophia → ソフィア).
How do I write a first name and last name?: Put a middle dot between them: John Smith → ジョン・スミス. Type both names in the box to see it.
Can I print my name in Japanese?: Yes. Convert your name, choose a card design and press Print. Only the card is printed, without ads.