Find out how popular the first name Kento has been for the last 40 years (from 1984 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kento by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Kento is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kento.

The history of the first name Kento

The name Kento is a masculine Japanese given name that originated from a combination of two distinct kanji (Chinese characters). The first kanji "Ken" means "healthy" or "robust," while the second kanji "to" signifies "soaring" or "flying." Together, the name Kento conveys a sense of vitality, strength, and ambition.

The roots of the name Kento can be traced back to ancient Japan, where naming conventions were heavily influenced by Chinese culture and literature. During the Heian period (794-1185 CE), the practice of bestowing Japanese names with Chinese characters became widespread among the aristocracy and noble classes.

While the name Kento itself does not appear in any notable ancient texts or religious scriptures, its individual components hold symbolic significance in Japanese and Chinese folklore. The character "Ken" is associated with longevity, resilience, and physical prowess, while "to" evokes imagery of freedom, aspiration, and soaring to new heights.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Kento can be found in historical records dating back to the late 19th century, during the Meiji era (1868-1912). This period marked a significant cultural shift in Japan, as the country embraced modernization and westernization, leading to a resurgence of interest in traditional Japanese names.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kento, including:

1. Kento Yamazaki (born 1994), a Japanese actor and model best known for his roles in films like "L'Empereur de Paris" and the Netflix series "Alice in Borderland."

2. Kento Nagayama (born 1987), a Japanese professional basketball player who currently plays for the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japanese B.League.

3. Kento Momota (born 1994), a Japanese professional badminton player who has won numerous titles, including the 2018 and 2019 World Badminton Championships.

4. Kento Miura (1969-2021), a Japanese manga artist and writer, best known for his dark fantasy manga series "Berserk," which gained a massive cult following worldwide.

5. Kento Matsunami (born 1990), a Japanese professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Gamba Osaka in the J1 League.

These individuals, while from diverse fields, all embody the spirit and essence of the name Kento, exhibiting strength, perseverance, and a drive to soar to new heights in their respective endeavors.

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

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

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