(Special thanks to otonashi, who put this section together for the site!)

Rumiko Takahashi is famous for using interesting naming conventions for her characters. Maison Ikkoku is no different. In this series, she uses numbers. The family names of the major characters have some connection to numbers.

Pronunciation Note: There are several pronunciations for the same kanji. "On" reading is the "Chinese" reading for the kanji. "Kun" reading is the native Japanese reading for the kanji. Where the numbers are concerned I have made the distinction of whether the pronunciations are "On" or "Kun."

0. Otonashi Family

Otonashi as a word is an adjective meaning quiet. So when a character says 'Otonashi san' it sounds like 'Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss Quiet.' In MI, the kanji for 'oto' means sound and 'nashi' means empty or nothing, hence zero.

Kyoko stays in the manager's room which doesn't have a number.

Characters in this family:
Otonashi Kyoko
Otonashi Souichiro
Otonashi Ikuko
Otonashi (Grandfather)
Otonashi (Ikuko's mother)

1. Ichinose Family

'Ichi' is the On reading of one. 'No' is the marker for possession. (An example would be "Watashi no" = "my") 'Se' means rapids or shallows. Ichinose means First Rapids or First Shallows.

The Ichinose family lives in room #1

Characters in this family:
Ichinose, Hanae
Ichinose, Kentaro
Ichinose (Father)

2. Nikaido

'Ni' is the On reading for two. 'Kai' means step or story(building level). "Do" means temple or hall. The meaning here can be either second floor hall or two story temple.

Nikaido, later in the series, moves into room #2.

Characters in this family:
Nikaido, Nozumu/Nozumi
Nikaido (Mother)

3. Mitaka Family

'Mitsu' is the Kun reading for three. 'Taka' means Hawk. Here the name means Three Hawks. Here the name would correlate more with the district, in Tokyo, named Mitaka, which is a rich district.

In terms of living arrangements, Mitaka doesn't live in room #3 of Maison Ikkoku. It would be in insult to his social status to live there.

Characters in the family:
Mitaka, Shun
Mitaka, McKenroe
Mitaka (Uncle)
Mitaka (Parents)
Mitaka (Younger Sister)
Mitaka, Mei
Mitaka, Moe

4. Yotsuya

"Yo" is the kun reading of four. "Tsuya" means valley. Yotsuya means Four Valleys.

Yotsuya lives in room #4

Characters in this family:
Yotsuya

5. Godai Family

'Go' is the On reading for five. 'Dai' means generations. Godai means Five Generations.

Godai lives in room #5

Characters in this family
Godai, Yusaku
Godai, Yukari (Grandmother)
Godai, Haruka
Godai (Parents)
Godai, Akira

6. Roppongi Family

'Rop' or 'Roku' is the On reading for six. 'Pon' or 'Hon' means origin or main. 'Gi' or 'Ki' means trees. Roppongi would mean Six Original Trees. Here the name would correlate more with the district, in Tokyo, named Roppongi, which is an entertainment district.

Akemi lives in rooom #6

Characters in this family:
Akemi

7. Nanao Family

'Nana' is the Kun reading for seven. 'O' means tail. Nanao means Nine Tails.

Characters in this family:
Nanao, Kozue
Nanao, Yousuke
Nanao (Parents)

8. Yagami Family

"Ya" is the Kun reading of eight. 'Gami' or 'Kami' means god. Yagami means Eight Gods.

Characters in this family:
Yagami, Ibuki
Yagami (Parents)

9. Kujo Family

'Ku' is the On reading for nine. 'Jo' means clause, line, or stripe. Kujo can mean Nine Passages.

Characters in this family:
Kujo Asuna
Kujo, (Parents)
Salad
Sugar/Crouton
Ginger/Patty
Pepper/Pickles
Pot-au-feu
Foie Gras
Terrine
Stroganoff
unnamed - Dobermann Pinscher.

1000. Chigusa Family

'Chi' is the Kun reading for thousand. 'Gusa' means grass. Chigusa means Thousand Grasses.

Characters in this family:
Chigusa, Kyoko
Chigusa, Ritsuko
Chigusa (Father)