Why does Ichiro have his first name on the back of his jersey & not his last name?

Answer 1

One poster got it close to right. The reason he has his first name on his jersey is that in Japan, the last name Suzuki more popular than Smith is in here in the USA, while the name Ichiro is not. So he just kept his jersey the same when he came here. Also it's not like this is a precedent. Remember Vida Blue always had his first name on his jersey as well.

Answer 2

Ichiro uses his first name because Suzuki is such a common name in Japan and someone suggested he should do it to be more distictive.
Some awfully stupid people answered this question. I assure the poster who suggested that Ichiro fans don't know his real name is Suzuki that he is incorrect. REAL Ichiro fans know.

Answer 3

In Japan, I believe they use first names rather than last names on Jerseys. Somewhat like sports in America where there are multiple players with the same last name, they'll use their first name's initial on the jersey as well.

Answer 4

Probably not many Ichiro fans know that his last name is Suzuki.

Answer 5

Because ever since his first day here in Seattle he's just gone by "Ichiro"

Now the real question is why doesn't any other Japanese player go by their first name?

Answer 6

because so many people have the last name suzuki so he wanted to be different and had his first name on the jersey and carried it over to the unites states.

Answer 7

Yeah well why don't many teams put any names on the back of their jerseys huh? You're lucky he has a name on his.

Answer 8

Custom

Answer 9

That's always bothered me as well...and btw Suzuki has no rights for him not to have his name on his shirt, ask Reggie Miller that

Answer 10

First name sounds better.