Kensuke first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kensuke has been for the last 29 years (from 1982 to 2010) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kensuke

A masculine Japanese name meaning "capable" or "wise accomplishments".

Popularity of Kensuke by gender

Based on the last 29 years of data, Kensuke is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2010, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kensuke.

Year Male Count Female Count
2010 5 0
2004 5 0
2001 6 0
1998 6 0
1990 6 0
1982 5 0

The history of the first name Kensuke

Kensuke is a masculine Japanese given name derived from the Japanese words "ken" meaning "wise" or "virtuous" and "suke" meaning "assistance" or "helper". The name has its origins in ancient Japan, likely dating back to the 7th or 8th century CE during the Nara period.

The name Kensuke was initially used by members of the Japanese nobility and samurai class. It was chosen for sons as a way to express the desire for them to grow into wise and virtuous men who would assist and protect their families and communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kensuke can be found in the Shoku Nihongi, an early Japanese chronicle completed in 797 CE. The text mentions a samurai warrior named Kensuke who fought bravely in a battle against invading forces.

Throughout Japanese history, several notable figures have borne the name Kensuke. In the 12th century, Kensuke Yoshizaki (1138-1192) was a renowned Buddhist monk and poet who contributed to the development of the Japanese literary tradition.

During the Sengoku period of the 16th century, Kensuke Uesugi (1530-1578) was a powerful daimyo (feudal lord) who controlled a large swath of territory in northern Japan. He was known for his military prowess and strategic alliances with other influential families.

In the late 19th century, Kensuke Nishiie (1866-1924) was a Japanese diplomat who played a key role in negotiating treaties and agreements with Western nations during the Meiji era.

Another prominent figure named Kensuke was Kensuke Yahiro (1901-1981), a celebrated Japanese ceramicist and artist whose works are displayed in museums around the world. His innovative techniques and designs helped revive traditional Japanese pottery styles.

While most historical records of the name Kensuke are from Japan, there are also examples of the name being used in other parts of East Asia, likely due to cultural exchange and influence from Japan over the centuries.

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

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

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"Kensuke first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kensuke-meaning-and-history/.

"Kensuke first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kensuke-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 28 September, 2025

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

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