Find out how popular the first name Shinji has been for the last 27 years (from 1987 to 2013) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A masculine Japanese name associated with the ideas of truth and faith.
Based on the last 27 years of data, Shinji is exclusively a male name.
For the most recent data in 2013, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shinji.
| Year | Male Count | Female Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 10 | 0 |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 |
| 1987 | 5 | 0 |
The name Shinji originates from Japanese culture and has been in use for centuries. It is composed of two kanji characters: "shin" meaning "true" or "genuine," and "ji" meaning "child" or "second son." The name can be interpreted as "true child" or "genuine second son."
In ancient Japanese texts, the name Shinji is mentioned as early as the 8th century AD. It appears in historical records and documents from the Heian period (794-1185 AD), indicating its usage among the aristocratic and samurai classes of that era.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Shinji was Shinji no Tamenaka, a poet and scholar who lived during the late Heian period in the 12th century. He was renowned for his contributions to the development of Japanese literature and poetry.
In the Kamakura period (1185-1333 AD), there was a notable samurai named Shinji Munenaga, who served under the Minamoto clan. He was known for his military prowess and loyalty to his lord.
During the Edo period (1603-1868 AD), a prominent figure named Shinji Yoshitaka was a daimyo (feudal lord) who ruled over the Fukui Domain in present-day Fukui Prefecture. He was recognized for his leadership and contribution to the development of his domain.
In the 19th century, Shinji Shuzo was a Japanese scholar and translator who played a significant role in introducing Western literature and philosophy to Japan. He was instrumental in the country's modernization during the Meiji Restoration.
Another historical figure was Shinji Sokan, a Buddhist monk and calligrapher who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was renowned for his mastery of the Japanese art of calligraphy and his contributions to preserving traditional Japanese culture.
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 Shinji was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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"Shinji first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/shinji-meaning-and-history/.
"Shinji first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/shinji-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 October, 2025
Shinji first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/shinji-meaning-and-history/.
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