what is the origin of the word "Japan" , since Japan is really Nippon who phrased Japan first?

Answer 1

Japan was know the in East Asia since 1-2nd century. There are many historical documents which describe Japan in China. But as you know, China uses only Chinese characters.
In Chinese characters, Japan is called "Ri-ben" in Mandarin Chinese today. But the pronunciation is rather "zhi-ben".
With the southern Chinese it is "Jit-pun" "Nip-pun", and Shanghai ppl call "Zap-pun". Anyway its pronunciation varied even in China.

When European and Mid Eastern ppl came to China (China was big nation when Yuan Dynasty, the Mongol Empire), there was no rule to write Asian name in Latin alphabets. Marco Polo released a book after his journey of Asia and in the late 13th century and described Japan as "Cipangu" or "Zipang" (he never reached Japan then. He just heard of Japan in China).

In the 16th century, Portuguese Empire reached S.E.A and East Asia. They reached Tanegashima island of Japan as well.
After this, Japan was becoming popular in the western countries such as Netherlands, England, and Spain,etc.
Today Japan is called Japan/Japon/Giappone/Yaponiya in the western countries.

"Nippon" is Japanese domestic pronunciation. But the pronunciation of many words in Japan is close to the Hokkien Chinese.

Answer 2

The short answer is that the word "Japan" originated from the Chinese and was "brought" to Europe care of Marco Polo in the 16th Century. (See link below for word origin discussion). Two Chinese pictographs (pictures representing words -- no alphabet) refer to the "sun's origin" in both Chinese and Japanese (who adopted Chinese writing along with their own writing system), but the pronunciation varied between both languages -- ("Cipangu" in Mandarin Chinese, according to Polo, "Nippon" to the Japanese. Also according to the Wikipedia site, Portuguese traders visiting Malaysia -- a country that uses Chinese -- learned the name for Japan as "Jepang")
"Nippon," by the way, IS an accurate, name for Japan, more often used for its official function. (During the most recent Olympics, the word "Nippon" was written on the uniforms of its participants.) Nihon is a more casual reference Japanese use for their country.
And no, Japan NEVER meant "varnish."

Answer 3

The English name of Japan passed through the Chinese and the Italians before entering English. BTW, where did you hear the name Nippon? While not incorrect, it is not in favor now.

Answer 4

Actually The real name of Japan isn't Nippon, it's Nihon, thus when you are talking to about Japanese its Nihonjin.

Answer 5

The word "japan" originally meant varnish.
An Italian traveler phrased it first. I forget his name.