What do these Train directions mean

I'm preparing for our family trip to Osaka and am studying the possible trains we will be taking using Google Maps. I'm just puzzled by some of the directions because besides showing the particular line there are Japanese characters attached and then the name of a place e.g. Tokaido-Sanyo Line新快速Nagahama... In this example what does Nagahama stand for? Is this the stop or the direction the train is headed? Would appreciate any help on this.

It is the name of the train category. In this case:
新快速 = Shinkaisoku = "Special Rapid"

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2016.html

Hyperdia is fully in English:
http://www.hyperdia.com/

It it really difficult to answer without an example given. Either that or I'm not understanding due to being lost in translation.

But if you are in google maps. It will show the start and finish locations. And to the route in between. It shows the transfers as white dots/circles.

p.s. Nagahama is a station name (and town) that is on the eastern side of Biwa Lake.

Thanks for the answers.

"S.Rapid" is fewer stop/faster commuter train than (regular/no named) Rapid.
This JP timetable easier for understanding as comparing.
http://ekikara.jp/newdata/line/2701043/up1_18.htm

In urban city very busy section rail tracks are (doble/triple) parallel usual like this.
https://youtu.be/vKDJwLaKxVM
Faster LtdExp and S.Rapid(also freight) on own tracks for stn skipping/passing.

S.Rapid/Rapid and local is chepest "base fare" only.
LtdExp need "Limited express fee" plus as comfortable service mainly for long ride.

Google map is very convenient showing colored route with but always suggested only "fastest".
HyperDia no showing map but selectable by money or transfering times
also possible only JR(Railway company) and not and need Shinkansen/(Ltd)express or not.

In your case Nagahama is S.Rapid stop stn right
but no exact about need or not for transfering
bc don't know you searched which to which stns if even example.
S.Rapid operating section is very wide across urban big 4 cities from east(map right) Kyoto,Osaka,Kobe and Himeji.
https://s13.postimg.org/ih05bfmzr/JRwest_railmap.png

If still wondering pls don't forget search result URL with like this.
https://goo.gl/maps/M7h466BVCS82
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=UNIVERSALCITY&a...

Calling "S.Rapid/新快速(shin-kaisoku)" train is only in Kansai.
In Tokyo same service train is written "Special Rapid/特別快速(tokubetsu-kaisoku)".
But dep boards and train direction signs JP and EN both or changing frequently no worry.
https://youtu.be/G_4p4XqIzvI
https://youtu.be/KsUrsuzJRwE
https://youtu.be/O3Vq3L9O9Yg
http://r113.web.fc2.com/p/houkoumaku/jrw-223/
Especially JR-West(only "JR" enough) urban network add line symbol alphabet and own colors each for travelers fr 2014 summer.
https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/2014/08/page_5993.html

Don't think so serious :)