What Is the Difference Between Nihon and Nippon?

Nippon (or Nihon) literally means “sun origin.” While the two pronunciations are used interchangeably and at the speaker's discretion, “Nippon” definitely carries more passion and excitement, and next year you can expect to hear it constantly as excited sports announcers and fans cheer for Japan's athletes during the ...

Is Nihon or Nippon more common?

However, a recent survey showed that 61 percent of Japanese people read it as “Nihon” while only 37 percent said “Nippon. “ The results also showed that “Nihon” was much more prevalent among younger people too. So while it would seem “Nippon” has seniority, “Nihon” has the popular vote.

Why do we say Japan instead of Nippon?

It is believed that the name change within Japan itself took place sometime between 665 and 703. During the Heian period, 大和 was gradually replaced by 日本, which was first pronounced with the Chinese reading Nippon and later as Nihon, reflecting shifts in phonology in Early Modern Japanese.