Find out how popular the first name Jaken has been for the last 24 years (from 1996 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jaken by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Jaken is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jaken.

The history of the first name Jaken

The name Jaken has its origins in ancient Japanese culture, dating back to the 8th century AD. It is derived from the Old Japanese word "jaku," which means "servant" or "attendant." The name was initially given to servants or attendants who worked in noble households or imperial courts.

During the Heian period (794-1185 AD), the name Jaken gained popularity among the Japanese aristocracy. It was often bestowed upon male servants who attended to the needs of the nobility. Some historical records from this era mention individuals with the name Jaken, though specific details are scarce.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jaken can be found in the Japanese literary work "The Tale of Genji," written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. In this epic novel, a character named Jaken is mentioned as a servant attending to one of the main characters.

Throughout Japanese history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Jaken. One of the most famous was Jaken Naramoto (1546-1614), a samurai warrior who served under the renowned Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. Naramoto was known for his bravery and loyalty on the battlefield.

Another significant figure was Jaken Nishibori (1693-1756), a Buddhist monk and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Zen Buddhism. His writings and teachings influenced the development of Zen philosophy in Japan.

In the 19th century, Jaken Uchida (1818-1890) was a prominent Japanese educator and scholar. He played a crucial role in the modernization of Japan's education system during the Meiji Restoration period.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Jaken was also associated with Japanese artists and writers. Jaken Umezaki (1868-1949) was a renowned painter known for his traditional Japanese-style landscape paintings, while Jaken Nakazato (1890-1963) was a celebrated novelist and poet.

While the name Jaken has its roots in ancient Japanese culture, it has since become less common in modern times. However, it remains a part of Japan's rich cultural heritage and serves as a reminder of the country's long and storied history.

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 Jaken was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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