Kenji
Kenji is a boy's name of Japanese origin.
Meaning
Strong, intelligent, or second son, depending on the kanji characters used.
Origin and history
Kenji is a traditional Japanese masculine name created from various kanji combinations, often meaning 'strong', 'intelligent', or 'second son'. It has seen steady, modest usage in the United States, particularly among families appreciating Japanese culture. Recent records show a slight rise in popularity for American boys.
Popularity in the United States
5,624 babies in the United States have been named Kenji since 1880. It ranks #1618 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #803.
States where it is most popular
- CA (41.7 %)
- NY (7.3 %)
- FL (6.9 %)
- TX (6.8 %)
- HI (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 85 |
| 1920-1930 | 213 |
| 1930-1940 | 96 |
| 1940-1950 | 23 |
| 1950-1960 | 18 |
| 1960-1970 | 104 |
| 1970-1980 | 430 |
| 1980-1990 | 359 |
| 1990-2000 | 423 |
| 2000-2010 | 889 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,292 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,692 |
Famous people named Kenji
- Kenji Lopez-Alt: Chef, Author
- Kenji Mizoguchi: Film Director, Screenwriter
Fun facts
- The name Kenji can have multiple meanings depending on the kanji characters selected by the parents.
- Kenji has seen increased adoption in the U.S. in the 2020s compared to its historical average.