shige

Shige is a Japanese given name and, less commonly, a surname or nickname. It is often a shortened form of longer names beginning with shige-, such as Shigeru, Shigeo, Shigeko, or Shigenori, and can also be used as an independent nickname or stage name.

The meaning of Shige depends on the kanji used to write it. Common characters include 茂 (lush or prosper), 滋 (nourish or richness), and 志 (will or intention); the overall sense of the name thus varies with the full name and its context.

Usage: Shige is primarily a masculine given name in Japan, though it may appear in feminine names when part of a longer form. It is encountered in literature, media, and among people of Japanese heritage. As a surname, Shige is relatively uncommon and more often appears as part of longer surnames or as a toponymic element.

Other contexts: Shige also occurs as a nickname for those named Shigeru or Shigeko, and occasionally as a standalone given name in non-Japanese contexts through cultural exchange.

See also: Shigeru, Shigeko, and related name elements. Notes: This article outlines linguistic and cultural aspects of the name; for specific individuals, consult biographical sources.