アンドリュー
Your name
Andrew
in Japanese
The default way to write Andrew in Japanese is アンドリュー — a phonetic katakana spelling that captures the sound and signals, instantly to a Japanese reader, that the name comes from elsewhere. But katakana is only one of three answers Japanese gives to a foreign name.
Below, we show all three. First the official katakana. Then a set of meaning kanji chosen to express what Andrew actually means at the root — From the Greek 'Andreas' (Ἀνδρέας), derived from 'anēr/andros' meaning 'man,' with connotations of manliness, courage, bravery, and strength. Finally a set of ateji, the playful tradition where the kanji match the sound and tell their own small story underneath.
Katakana — Phonetic
How Andrew is most commonly written in Japanese — used on official documents, business cards, and signage.
Meaning Kanji — Etymology
"Andrew" means: From the Greek 'Andreas' (Ἀνδρέας), derived from 'anēr/andros' meaning 'man,' with connotations of manliness, courage, bravery, and strength.
勇士
Yuushi
Together: 'brave warrior,' directly capturing Andrew's Greek meaning of 'manly courage.'
雄剛
Yuugou
Together: 'heroic strength,' reflecting the original sense of manly fortitude.
丈夫
Masurao
Together: a classical Japanese word for 'a stalwart, virile man'—a near-perfect semantic match for Andrew.
Ateji — Sound + Meaning
Where the sound matches and the kanji tell their own small story. The Edo scholars and modern manga authors both played this game.
暗道流
Andoryuu
Together: 'school of the shadow path'—mystical and ninja-like, evoking a secret martial lineage.
杏鳥
Andoriyu→Andoryuu
Cute reading: 'apricot-blossom bird'—a small songbird perched among spring flowers.
庵土龍
Andoryuu
Together: 'earth-dragon of the hermitage'—mystical and cool, a sage-dragon dwelling in a mountain retreat.
Not sure which form to use?
Katakana, meaning kanji, and ateji each belong to a different part of Japanese life — official paperwork, calligraphy and gifts, signatures and wordplay. Our full guide walks through when to reach for each one.
Read the guide: the three ways to write your name in Japanese →
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