Akira
Akira is a boy's name of Japanese origin.
Meaning
Bright, clear, or wise.
Origin and history
Akira is a traditional Japanese given name derived from kanji characters meaning 'bright', 'clear', or 'wisdom'. While predominantly masculine in Japan, it is used for all genders internationally. In the United States, it maintains a steady, moderate presence driven partly by appreciation for Japanese culture and cinema.
Popularity in the United States
2,020 babies in the United States have been named Akira since 1880. It ranks #2867 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1638.
States where it is most popular
- CA (68.2 %)
- HI (22.2 %)
- NY (5.1 %)
- TX (2.2 %)
- FL (0.56 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 119 |
| 1920-1930 | 342 |
| 1930-1940 | 119 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 15 |
| 1970-1980 | 54 |
| 1980-1990 | 160 |
| 1990-2000 | 242 |
| 2000-2010 | 367 |
| 2010-2019 | 313 |
| 2020-2029 | 289 |
Famous people named Akira
- Akira Kurosawa: Film Director, Screenwriter
- Akira Toriyama: Manga Artist, Character Designer
- Akira Schmid: Ice Hockey Player
Fun facts
- Depending on the kanji characters chosen to write it, Akira can mean bright, clear, intelligent, or autumn.
- The global popularity of the name was heavily boosted by renowned film director Akira Kurosawa and the iconic manga/anime Akira.