# Proper Nouns

## Capitalize

Capitalize all proper nouns (specific names of people, places, organizations, etc.). This includes titles which act as proper nouns: those that replace a name, directly precede and act as part of a name, or are used as a form of direct address.

### Examples

* [Unfortunately, when Father develops a chronic disease, the strong familial bonds in the household slowly deteriorate.](https://myanimelist.net/manga/21467)
* Uncle Takashi gave me a gift.
* The award was given by President Miyazaki.
* Thank you, President.

## Do not capitalize

Do not capitalize common nouns (all nouns that are not proper nouns). This includes titles which do not function as or directly precede a name and prefixes or suffixes attached to titles.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are unsure whether a standalone title replaces a name or not, substitute a name for the title and consider whether the sentence is grammatical. If the title precedes a name, delete the title and do the same. If an adjective precedes a title which precedes a name, consider whether the adjective describes the title (in which case the title should be lowercase) or the adjective describes the name (in which case the title should be capitalized).
{% endhint %}

### Examples

* [Her father has passed away.](https://myanimelist.net/anime/2547)
* My uncle's name is Takashi.
* President-elect, ex-President
* The award was given by former president Miyazaki.
  * Compare with: [The greedy Chief Minister Shabadaba has taken over the country with the assistance of mysterious, powerful ninjas.](https://myanimelist.net/anime/2144)

## Hyphenation

In hyphenated proper nouns, the word on either side of the hyphen must be capitalized. Common nouns that are hyphenated do not need to be capitalized.

### Examples

* Silver-Eyed Witch
* Nine-Tailed Fox&#x20;
* She is a silver-eyed witch.&#x20;
* His name was Nine-Tailed Fox.

## See also

{% content-ref url="../punctuation/hyphen" %}
[hyphen](../punctuation/hyphen)
{% endcontent-ref %}
