Find out how popular the first name Sakai has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sakai by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Sakai is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 81% of people named Sakai being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 49 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Sakai.

The history of the first name Sakai

The given name Sakai has its origins in Japanese culture, tracing back to the Heian period (794-1185 CE) of ancient Japan. It is derived from the Japanese word "sakai," which means "border" or "boundary," referring to the geographical demarcation between regions or territories.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sakai can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient chronicle of Japanese history and mythology compiled in the early 8th century CE. This text mentions the name in reference to a local chieftain or ruler from the Sakai region, which was located near the present-day city of Osaka.

Throughout Japanese history, the name Sakai has been associated with several notable individuals. One such figure was Sakai Tadatsugu (1527-1596), a renowned samurai warrior who served under the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of the 16th century. He was known for his bravery and loyalty on the battlefield.

Another prominent individual with the name Sakai was Sakai Masato (1564-1619), a skilled swordsman and martial artist who founded his own school of swordsmanship, known as the Shinden Fudo-ryu. His teachings and techniques had a significant influence on the development of Japanese swordsmanship.

In the realm of literature, Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828) was a renowned Japanese poet and artist during the Edo period. He is particularly celebrated for his haiku poetry and his contributions to the revitalization of the traditional Japanese art form of woodblock printing.

The name Sakai also appears in the historical records of the Meiji Restoration, a pivotal event that marked the transition from the Edo period to modern Japan in the late 19th century. Sakai Masaru (1846-1903) was a prominent political figure and reformist who played a significant role in the abolition of the feudal system and the establishment of a modern, centralized government.

Throughout its long history, the name Sakai has been borne by various individuals across different walks of life, from warriors and artists to politicians and intellectuals. Its connection to the concept of boundaries and borders has given it a unique cultural significance in Japanese tradition.

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

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

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