Kaigen first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kaigen has been for the last 7 years (from 2007 to 2013) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kaigen

A masculine Japanese name meaning "the opening of wisdom" or "enlightenment".

Popularity of Kaigen by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Kaigen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 87% of people named Kaigen being male.

For the most recent data in 2013, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kaigen.

Year Male Count Female Count
2013 5 0
2011 8 0
2010 8 5
2008 6 0
2007 6 0

The history of the first name Kaigen

The given name Kaigen is derived from Japanese origins, with roots tracing back to the late 19th century. It is a combination of the Japanese words "kai" meaning "ocean" and "gen" meaning "source" or "origin." This name initially referred to the concept of the vast and boundless expanse of the ocean, representing the origin or source of life.

One of the earliest documented uses of the name Kaigen can be found in the historical records of a notable Japanese family from the Edo period (1603-1868). In these records, a prominent samurai warrior bore the name Kaigen Takeda, who was renowned for his bravery and loyalty during the Sengoku period (1467-1615).

Another early mention of the name Kaigen appears in the annals of Japanese Buddhism. Kaigen Dogen (1200-1253), a revered Zen Buddhist monk and philosopher, is credited with introducing the Soto school of Zen to Japan. His teachings and writings, such as the "Shobogenzo," have had a profound impact on Japanese culture and spirituality.

In the realm of literature, Kaigen Nishida (1870-1945) was a prominent Japanese philosopher and influential figure in the Kyoto School of Japanese philosophy. His works explored the concept of "pure experience" and the integration of Eastern and Western philosophical traditions.

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), a notable figure named Kaigen Tsubaki (1859-1938) emerged as a pioneering industrialist and entrepreneur. He played a crucial role in the modernization and industrialization of Japan, establishing several successful businesses and contributing to the country's economic growth.

More recently, Kaigen Yamazaki (1919-1986) was a renowned Japanese architect and urban planner. He was instrumental in the design and development of several iconic structures and city plans, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the Kenzo Tange Plan for rebuilding Hiroshima after World War II.

While the name Kaigen is not as common today as it once was, it continues to carry a profound sense of connection to the natural world and the boundless depths of the ocean, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and philosophical underpinnings of Japan.

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

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

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"Kaigen first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 5, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kaigen-meaning-and-history/.

"Kaigen first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kaigen-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 5 May, 2025

Kaigen first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kaigen-meaning-and-history/.

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