Find out how popular the first name Kenji has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kenji by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kenji is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Kenji being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 295 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kenji.

The history of the first name Kenji

The name Kenji is of Japanese origin, deriving from the word "ken," meaning "healthy" or "robust," and "ji," meaning "second son" or "second child." It has been a popular name in Japan for centuries, particularly among samurai families who valued strength and vitality.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Kenji can be traced back to the 8th century AD, during the Nara period of Japanese history. At that time, it was primarily associated with the aristocratic class and was rarely used by commoners.

One of the earliest and most famous individuals to bear the name Kenji was Kenji Miyamoto (1180-1252), a renowned samurai warrior and strategist who served under the shogunate of Minamoto no Yoritomo. Miyamoto played a pivotal role in several battles during the Genpei War and was renowned for his tactical brilliance and unwavering loyalty.

In the 16th century, another notable figure named Kenji Ishida (1508-1593) emerged as a skilled swordsmith and craftsman. His katanas and other blades were highly sought after by samurai across Japan, and his work was considered a masterpiece of Japanese metalworking.

During the Edo period (1603-1867), the name Kenji became more widely adopted among the merchant class and lower nobility. One prominent individual from this era was Kenji Hirayama (1718-1794), a celebrated poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the development of classical Japanese literature.

In more recent history, the name Kenji has continued to be popular in Japan, and several notable figures have borne it. Kenji Mizoguchi (1898-1956) was a pioneering filmmaker who helped shape the Japanese cinema during the early 20th century, and his films are considered masterpieces of the art form.

Another famous Kenji was Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933), a renowned poet and author whose works, such as "Night on the Galactic Railroad," have become beloved classics in Japanese literature. His writings often explored themes of spirituality, nature, and the human condition.

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

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

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