What’s In a Name? Part 19
On The Eleventh Day of Fun I present… a new entry in the oldest series! This time we’ll be looking at names that share a part of the famous Shōchikubai (Pine/Bamboo/Plum). Matsu - 松 Prefix or Suffix: Both Old Meaning: Pine New (Standardized) Meaning: Pine Found In: Gion Kobu, Pontocho, and Miyagawa Cho Pretty straightforward, pine symbolizes strength, so it’s always welcome! Examples 福松 Fukumatsu (Gion Kobu): “Lucky Pine,” a cute name! 松吉 Matsukichi (Pontocho): “Lucky Pine,” a different kanji, but the same meaning as the one above! 三木松 Mikimatsu (Miyagawa Cho): “Three Pine Trees,” an interesting combination that includes the rare “木” kanji that means “tree.” Take - 竹 Prefix or Suffix: Both Old Meaning: Bamboo New (Standardized) Meaning: Bamboo Found In: Gion Kobu A fast growing and resilient plant, it is especially auspicious with girls who are tall! Examples 竹子 Takeko (Gion Kobu): “Bamboo Child,” a cute name! 子竹 Kotake (Gion Kobu): “Bamboo Child,” the same name with the kanji backwards ^^ Ume - 梅 Prefix or Suffix: Both Old Meaning: Plum Blossom New (Standardized) Meaning: Plum Blossom Found In: Gion Kobu, Pontocho, Kamishichiken, and Miyagawa Cho The final lucky motif, it is the one of the first plants to bloom in the new year and heralds the beginning of spring! Examples 梅龍 Umeryō (Gion Kobu and Pontocho): “Plum Dragon,” an awesome combination of a cute, feminine motif with a powerful male one! 小梅 Koume (Gion Kobu, Kamishichiken, and Miyagawa Cho): “Small Plum,” a very cute name! 梅咲 Umesaku (Kamishichiken): “Plum Blossom,” an interesting combination as “咲“ means “Blooming” and “梅“ already means “Plum Blossom,” so it can technically also be translated at “Blooming Plum Blossom” ^^ 梅松 Umematsu (Miyagawa Cho): “Plum Pine,” a combination of pine and plum blossoms to create such an auspicious name!