Naming convention

The naming conventions in Rokugan are quite complex.

Pre-gempukku
A child's name before their gempukku would often reflect their position in the family and their birth order. Until a child reached their gempukku and chise a new name they would simply be called "first son" or "second daughter" and son on.

Names

 * Ichiro means first son.
 * Jiro means second son.
 * Saburo means third son.
 * Shiro means fourth son.
 * Goro means fifth son.

Suffixes
Some suffixes could also indicate the order of birth. These endings would most commonly be used by noble houses so that visitors would have an idea of the person's standing within the household.


 * -ichi would indicate first son.
 * -kazu would indicate first son.
 * -ji would indicate second son.
 * -zo would indicate third son.

Example; Doji Koiji would be the second son, where Bayushi Sanzo would be the third son.

Females
For females there are other suffixes with different meanings.


 * -hime means "princess", and could be used for a noble not yet married.
 * -mi means "beauty".
 * -ko means "little" or "small".
 * -gozen is used for the wife of a bushi.

Social Standing
For someone of lesser standing there is no need to use a suffix. If talking to a person of equal standing it would be common to use the -san suffix. If talking to a person with higher standing one would use the -sama suffix, regardless of their gender.

Example; An equal ranking Daidoji would be referred to as Daidoji-san, but a higher ranking Shiba would be referred to as Shiba-sama.

Major References

 * Way of the Crane Pages 20-21.