Find out how popular the first name Kenichiro has been for the last 9 years (from 1996 to 2004) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kenichiro by gender

Based on the last 9 years of data, Kenichiro is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2004, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kenichiro.

The history of the first name Kenichiro

The name Kenichiro is a Japanese masculine given name derived from the combination of two words: "ken" meaning "healthy" or "vigor," and "ichiro" meaning "first son." It originated in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868) when Japanese names began to take on more distinct meanings and references.

While the precise origins of the name are unclear, it is believed to have been used as a way for families to express their hopes and aspirations for their firstborn son. The name conveys a wish for the child to be strong, healthy, and prosperous, reflecting the cultural values of that era.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kenichiro can be found in the historical records of the Tokugawa shogunate, where it was used by a minor samurai official in the late 17th century. However, the name did not gain widespread popularity until the Meiji era (1868-1912), when it became more commonly used among the emerging middle class.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kenichiro. One of the most prominent is Kenichiro Mogi (1801-1875), a Japanese scholar and educator who played a significant role in the modernization of Japan's education system during the Meiji Restoration.

Another notable Kenichiro was Kenichiro Yoshida (1886-1973), a Japanese businessman and industrialist who served as the president of the Yoshida Conglomerate, one of Japan's largest zaibatsu (industrial and financial business conglomerates) in the early 20th century.

In the realm of sports, Kenichiro Tanimoto (1932-2018) was a renowned Japanese baseball player who played for the Yomiuri Giants and was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988.

Kenichiro Mori (1907-1988) was a respected Japanese diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the United States from 1969 to 1977, playing a crucial role in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries during the Cold War era.

More recently, Kenichiro Yoshida (born 1959) is the current Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation, having assumed the role in 2018. He has been credited with leading the company's transformation and refocusing its efforts on digital entertainment and electronics.

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

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

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