I know it sounds funny, but my name is Omar, and one of my friends said that
my name means "toilet for babies" in Japanese. I wanted to check if this is
correct, because Google Translate did not help me.

I would appreciate if you would also give me some information about the word:
explain weather or not it is a common word, formal or informal, etc.
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meaning
Is it true that the word "Omar" means "baby toilet" in Japanese?
Yup. You hear correctly
[おまる](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/index/%E3%81%8A%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B/)
(Omaru) means potty (baby toilet) or bedpan.
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2012-10-23T02:30:55.837
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Firstly, your name cannot be pronounced in Japanese. It would be approxiamated
as "omaru". The -r- here will be very different than what you are likely used
too, though.

As for the word omaru, yes, it does indeed mean a portable toilet used for
babies (and sickly people). If you read Japanese, you can read the definition
[here](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/33018/m0u/%E3%81%8A%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B/).

As explained in the definition, the verb mar-u meanings to excrete feces or
urine.
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2012-10-23T02:33:20.183
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If I might add a dissenting interpretation to the existing answers....I think
a minor change in pronunciation might alleviate your concern.

Note that, in the other answers, your name is being converted to romanized
Japanese as 'omaru.' The 'o' at the beginning of this pronunciation would be
very short and not accented.

I live in the US, and the gents I've known named Omar have generally
pronounced their name with a bit of an accent on the 'O' at the beginning.
Personally, I would romanize this as 'oumaru,' where the 'u' really just
indicates a slightly elongated 'long O' sound at the beginning.

If you find yourself at Google Translate again, you might try listening to the
difference in pronunciation between おまる (omaru) and おうまる (oumaru). (Note that
the difference is simply how quickly the 'o' sound is spoken.)

'Oumaru' is the name of a city in Japan, I believe. And according to the
Japanese/English dictionary I use, it is also seen as a surname in Japan.
[oumaru defined on
jisho.org](http://jisho.org/words?jap=%E3%81%8A%E3%81%86%E3%81%BEru&eng=&dict=edict)

Therefore, I'd suggest that, with a slight modification to how you pronounce
your name, you can diffuse any misinterpretations. ^-^

Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I'm probably one of the ~less~
fluent people on this site. So if anyone strongly disagrees with what I say,
I'd suggest you take their word over mine. (-.-);
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2012-10-23T03:36:43.187
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