Kanji meanings › First
Kanji for First
The kanji for “first” is 初, read sho and written in 7 strokes. Here is what it means, how it is read, and the names it is used in.
first
The first; fresh beginnings.
7 strokes On reading ショ (sho) Kun reading はじめ、はじめて、はつ (hajime, hajimete, hatsu) JLPT N2
Dictionary meanings: first time, beginning
Readings used for names on Nazuke: ui, sho, hatsu
In Japan it appears in about 249 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 初: Shon 初 · Asuncion 安燦初 · Conception 紺世風初
Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
Put it in your name
Nazuke writes your first name in kanji, choosing characters for both sound and meaning.