If you asked which manga series has been loved by generations of children, Doraemon would probably be the first title that comes to mind for many people. The blue robotic cat with a pocket full of futuristic gadgets, the clumsy Nobita, the gentle Shizuka, and Jaian, who loves singing despite his terrible voice, are all as familiar as childhood classmates. Yet despite knowing these characters so well, few people realize that each name has its own story. Some even went through three different versions before finally being settled.
1. Doraemon’s Name Mixes Two Japanese Writing Systems Because He Couldn’t Remember the Alphabet
In Japanese, Doraemon’s name is written as ドラえもん, with the first part in Katakana and the second in Hiragana. It may look unusual, but the manga actually offers an explanation.
When a robot registration employee asked for his name, Doraemon couldn’t write “emon” in Katakana, so he had to use Hiragana instead. Later, when writing his name on a delivery package, he couldn’t write “dora” in Hiragana and switched to Katakana. The word “dora” itself has an interesting double meaning: it can evoke a stray cat, and it also sounds like the beginning of dorayaki, Doraemon’s favorite snack.
2. Nobita’s Name Carries a Wish for Him to Grow Up Healthy
Nobita, the clumsy boy at the center of the story, actually has a name with a beautiful meaning. “Nobita” comes from the Japanese verb “nobiru,” meaning to grow, stretch, or develop. It was chosen with the hope that he would grow up healthy and freely. Ironically, despite carrying such an optimistic name, Nobita is academically weak, constantly trips and falls, and doesn’t seem particularly good at anything…
3. Shizuka Shares Her Name with a Famous Woman from Japanese History
Shizuka, the only girl in the main group of friends, has the surname Minamoto, which is associated with the Genji aristocratic clan. Members of this family went on to establish the Kamakura and Muromachi shogunates. Her given name is also shared with Shizuka Gozen, a woman deeply loved by the renowned general Minamoto no Yoshitsune. She was famous for her shirabyoshi dances. Many believe that Shizuka’s name was no coincidence, as the girl in the manga is just as graceful and beloved as her historical namesake.
4. Jaian’s Nickname Overshadows His Real Name, Takeshi Goda
Jaian’s nickname comes from the English word “giant,” meaning a very large person. It suits the biggest boy in the class perfectly. Meanwhile, his real name, Takeshi Goda, is rarely mentioned in the manga. It is mainly used by his parents and teachers. According to some accounts, the name Takeshi was inspired by one of the author’s students, making this an interesting detail that many fans may not know.
5. Dekisugi Went Through Three Different Names
Dekisugi’s surname in Japanese gives the impression of someone who is “too good” or exceptionally talented, making it a perfect fit for the model student. However, when he first appeared in Volume 22 of the manga, his name was Taro. In Volume 23, it was changed to Eisai before eventually being standardized across the earlier volumes as well.
In a 1979 story featuring Doraemon and Dorami, Dekisugi even appeared under the name Akechi, seemingly inspired by the famous fictional detective Akechi Kogoro. The pronunciation of his name has also sparked debate. The same Kanji characters can be read as either Eisai or Hidetoshi.
6. The Characters Get Different Names When the Manga Goes Overseas
The characters’ names have also changed depending on where the manga was published. In the English version, Nobita becomes Noby, Shizuka becomes Sue, Suneo becomes Sneech, and Jaian becomes Big G. Even dorayaki is renamed “Yummy Bun.”
In China, CCTV’s version calls Doraemon “A Meng,” using a transliteration of the second part of his name. Meanwhile, in the early Taiwanese edition, Dekisugi was translated as “Wang Congming.” Each new version of the names reflects the translators’ efforts to help local audiences immediately understand the characters’ personalities just by hearing their names.
Sources: gamek