由 in Japanese names

由

ゆ · yu

One reading, not every name reading

The example reading ゆ (yu) is attached to this single kanji entry. Japanese names can use other accepted readings, and the reading of a complete name cannot safely be guessed by joining single-character readings. Unicode Unihan lists 5 strokes for this character; writing variants may count differently.

What it can suggest

由 is associated here with reason; origin. A dictionary gloss gives context, but it does not establish the exact impression of every personal name that uses this kanji. The written form, full reading and neighboring characters all matter.

How this character appears in names

由美 links an origin or reason image to beauty; Yumi is the whole selected reading.

Selected full-name examples

Our curated starting collection uses this character in 由美 (ゆみ, Yumi). Read those full pages for the recorded name reading.

Related kanji in the guide include 真, 智, 直, 理, 尋. Do not combine them solely because their themes match. Explore the reviewed-name generator instead.