Tomoya

Tomoya is a masculine given name of Japanese origin. It is typically written in kanji, with the meaning varying by the characters chosen. Common spellings include 智也, 友也, and 朋也, among others. The pronunciation Tomoya is standard in Japanese, with the to and ya syllables clearly enunciated. As with many Japanese names, the same phonetic form can carry different nuances depending on the kanji used.

The name is most common in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad. It functions as a given name rather than a surname and is used across different generations, though its exact popularity can fluctuate over time as naming trends change.

Notable bearers and fictional characters include Tomoya Nagase (長瀬智也), a Japanese singer and actor who is a member of the band Tokio. In fiction, Tomoya Okazaki is the protagonist of the visual novel and anime Clannad, a character widely recognized within Japanese pop culture. The name also appears in various other works of fiction and media, reflecting its ongoing use in contemporary Japanese naming practices.