naka

Naka is a term with multiple uses in Japanese language and geography. In Japanese, naka (中) means “middle,” “inside,” or “center” and is a common element in toponyms and personal names. The same pronunciation can be written with different kanji; for example, the city name 那珂市 in Ibaraki Prefecture uses 那珂 rather than 中.

Geography: Naka occurs as a place name in different forms. The city of Naka in Ibaraki Prefecture is written 那珂市. Naka-ku, or Naka Ward, is a common ward name in several Japanese cities, used to denote central districts; examples include Naka-ku in Yokohama and Naka-ku in Hiroshima.

People: Naka also functions as a surname and as a component in many Japanese names. It can be written with different kanji, notably 中, and appears in compound surnames and given names such as Nakagawa (中川) and Nakajima (中島).

Notes: The kanji used for Naka vary by place and family, and the term also appears in broader linguistic and cultural contexts as a transliteration or element within multiword names. Its central meaning underlies its frequent use in geographic designations and personal names in Japan.