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For Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, and Singaporean users: How do I fill in my First and Last Name?
For Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, and Singaporean users: How do I fill in my First and Last Name?
Updated over a month ago

When verifying your identity in the GRVT platform, you may come across the terms “First Name” and “Last Name.” These terms are often used in Western systems. However, the naming conventions in countries like China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore can be different. This guide will help you understand how to correctly fill out forms asking for “First Name” and “Last Name” in these languages and cultures.


1. Chinese Names (中文姓名)

In China, names are structured as:

  • Last Name (姓, xìng): The family name comes first. Common surnames include 王 (Wáng), 李 (Lǐ), and 张 (Zhāng).

  • First Name (名, míng or 名字, míngzì): The given name comes second, like 伟 (Wěi) or 华 (Huá).

Example:

  • Name: 李小龙 (Lǐ Xiǎolóng)

    • Last Name: 李 (Lǐ)

    • First Name: 小龙 (Xiǎolóng)

When filling out a KYC form:

  • First Name: Xiaolong

  • Last Name: Li


2. Japanese Names (日本の名前)

In Japan, names are structured as:

  • Last Name (姓 or 苗字, sei/myōji): The family name comes first. Common surnames include 佐藤 (Satō), 鈴木 (Suzuki), and 田中 (Tanaka).

  • First Name (名, na or 名前, namae): The given name comes second, such as 太郎 (Tarō) or 花子 (Hanako).

Example:

  • Name: 山田太郎 (Yamada Tarō)

    • Last Name: 山田 (Yamada)

    • First Name: 太郎 (Tarō)

When filling out a KYC form:

  • First Name: Tarō

  • Last Name: Yamada


3. Korean Names (한국 이름)

In Korea, names are structured as:

  • Last Name (성, seong): The family name comes first. Common surnames include 김 (Kim), 이 (Lee), and 박 (Park).

  • First Name (이름, ireum): The given name comes second, often consisting of two syllables, like 지수 (Ji-su) or 현우 (Hyun-woo).

Example:

  • Name: 김지수 (Kim Ji-su)

    • Last Name: 김 (Kim)

    • First Name: 지수 (Ji-su)

When filling out a KYC form:

  • First Name: Ji-su

  • Last Name: Kim


4. Malaysian Names

In Malaysia, names differ based on ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, Indian, etc.). For Malays, names generally follow the order:

  • First Name: This is your personal name.

  • Last Name: Malays don’t have family names. Instead, "bin" (for men) or "binti" (for women) is used, followed by the father’s name.

Example:

  • Name: Ahmad bin Ali

    • First Name: Ahmad

    • Last Name: Ali (father’s name)

For Chinese Malaysians, the structure follows the Chinese system, where the family name comes first:

  • Example: Lim Wei Xiang

    • First Name: Wei Xiang

    • Last Name: Lim

For Indian Malaysians, names usually include the father’s name with the initial "s/o" (son of) or "d/o" (daughter of):

  • Example: Raj s/o Maniam

    • First Name: Raj

    • Last Name: Maniam (father’s name)

When filling out a KYC form for Malaysians, list your personal name as the First Name and your family/father’s name as the Last Name.


5. Singaporean Names

Singapore is a multicultural society, and names vary based on ethnicity.

  • Chinese Singaporeans: Follow the Chinese naming convention where the Last Name comes first, and the First Name follows.

    • Example: Tan Wei Ling

      • First Name: Wei Ling

      • Last Name: Tan

  • Malay Singaporeans: Similar to Malaysians, they use "bin" or "binti" between the first name and father’s name.

    • Example: Siti binti Abdullah

      • First Name: Siti

      • Last Name: Abdullah

  • Indian Singaporeans: Many use their personal name followed by their father’s name with "s/o" (son of) or "d/o" (daughter of).

    • Example: Priya d/o Ravi

      • First Name: Priya

      • Last Name: Ravi

When filling out KYC forms, use your personal name as the First Name and the father’s name or family name as the Last Name.


Key Points to Remember

  • In China, Japan, and Korea, the Last Name (family name) comes first, followed by the First Name (personal name). When filling out KYC forms, reverse the order to fit Western naming conventions.

  • For Malaysia and Singapore, naming conventions vary by ethnicity. Make sure to follow the proper structure for your ethnic group.

  • In KYC forms, always write your First Name (personal name) first, and your Last Name (family or father’s name) second to avoid confusion.

Understanding these differences will help ensure you provide the correct information for identity verification.

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