Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi is a boy's name of Japanese origin.
Meaning
Bright, clear, pure, or quiet, depending on the chosen kanji characters.
Origin and history
Kiyoshi is a traditional Japanese masculine name that generally means bright, clear, or pure, depending on the kanji used to write it. It has been used consistently in the United States since the early 20th century, particularly within Japanese American communities. While relatively uncommon overall in the U.S., it remains a recognized classic Japanese name.
Popularity in the United States
1,226 babies in the United States have been named Kiyoshi since 1880. It ranks #3472 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1871.
States where it is most popular
- HI (52.2 %)
- CA (45.8 %)
- WA (2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 241 |
| 1920-1930 | 478 |
| 1930-1940 | 128 |
| 1940-1950 | 12 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 25 |
| 1980-1990 | 32 |
| 1990-2000 | 68 |
| 2000-2010 | 87 |
| 2010-2019 | 99 |
| 2020-2029 | 56 |
Famous people named Kiyoshi
- Kiyoshi Kurosawa: Director, Screenwriter
- Kiyoshi Atsumi: Actor
- Kiyoshi Kuromiya: Activist, Author
Fun facts
- Kiyoshi can be written with various kanji characters, most commonly 淳 or 淸, each giving a nuanced shade of meaning related to purity or clarity.
- The name has been continuously registered in official U.S. birth records since the early 20th century.