ローガン
Your name
Logan
in Japanese
The default way to write Logan in Japanese is ローガン — 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 Logan actually means at the root — From the Scottish Gaelic surname meaning 'little hollow' or 'from the small hollow/dell,' derived from 'lag' (hollow) with a diminutive suffix. Finally a set of ateji, the playful tradition where the kanji match the sound and tell their own small story underneath.
Katakana — Phonetic
How Logan is most commonly written in Japanese — used on official documents, business cards, and signage.
Meaning Kanji — Etymology
"Logan" means: From the Scottish Gaelic surname meaning 'little hollow' or 'from the small hollow/dell,' derived from 'lag' (hollow) with a diminutive suffix. Often associated with strength, a small valley, or a wolf-like spirit in modern usage.
小谷士
Kokokushi
小 (small) + 谷 (valley/hollow) + 士 (warrior/gentleman) — a literal rendering of 'little hollow' paired with a noble warrior, honoring both the etymology and the strong spirit
幽谷
Yūkoku
幽 (secluded/mystical) + 谷 (valley) — 'the secluded hollow,' poetically capturing the quiet, hidden dell of the name's origin
狼牙
Rōga
狼 (wolf) + 牙 (fang) — 'wolf fang,' channeling the fierce, lone-wolf modern association of the name with strength and primal courage
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.
狼雅
Rōga
A cool blend of wild strength and noble grace
露我武
Rogamu
A mystical warrior who stands firm like dew at dawn
朗願
Rōgan
A cute, uplifting reading meaning 'a bright wish,' radiating warmth and optimism
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 →
Seven, drawn