Find out how popular the first name Chiaki has been for the last 24 years (from 1989 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chiaki by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Chiaki is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Chiaki.

The history of the first name Chiaki

The name Chiaki is of Japanese origin and is composed of two kanji characters: chi (智) meaning "wisdom" or "intellect," and aki (明) meaning "bright" or "brilliant." This combination suggests a name that symbolizes intelligence, clarity, and enlightenment.

The earliest recorded use of the name Chiaki dates back to the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan, where it was primarily used for male children born into aristocratic families. During this time, the name was often associated with scholars, poets, and individuals who pursued intellectual and artistic endeavors.

In the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), the name Chiaki gained popularity among the samurai class and was sometimes given to children born during the autumn season, as the character "aki" also means "autumn." This association with the changing seasons and the natural cycle of life added a layer of symbolism to the name.

Historically, the name Chiaki has been borne by several notable individuals in Japan. One of the earliest recorded figures was Chiaki no Kanefusa (1132-1205 CE), a renowned poet and scholar who served as a court official during the late Heian period. Another significant figure was Chiaki no Munetaka (1141-1199 CE), a prominent samurai and military strategist who played a pivotal role in the Genpei War.

During the Edo period, Chiaki Hatsushima (1664-1744 CE) was a renowned painter and calligrapher who contributed to the development of the Rinpa school of Japanese art. In more recent times, Chiaki Mukai (born 1952) became the first Japanese woman to travel to space when she served as a payload specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1994.

Another notable individual with the name Chiaki was Chiaki Nakatani (1925-1990), a renowned Japanese film director and screenwriter who was known for his socially conscious and critically acclaimed films, such as "Kuroi Ame" (Black Rain) and "Ningen no Yakusoku" (The Human Promise).

While the name Chiaki has historically been more prevalent among males, it has also been used for female children in modern times, reflecting the changing societal norms and the increasing acceptance of gender-neutral names in Japanese culture.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chiaki was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chiaki, please contact us.

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