Shinobi first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Shinobi has been for the last 1 years (from 2008 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Shinobi

A Japanese unisex name meaning "stealth" or "perseverance".

Popularity of Shinobi by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Shinobi is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shinobi.

Year Male Count Female Count
2008 5 0

The history of the first name Shinobi

The name Shinobi has its origins in the Japanese language, specifically from the word "shinobi-no-mono," which referred to a group of covert agents or mercenaries who were skilled in stealth tactics and espionage during the feudal era of Japan. The name is believed to have been derived from the verb "shinobiru," meaning "to steal away" or "to sneak."

The earliest recorded use of the word "shinobi" dates back to the 15th century, when it was used to describe the covert operatives employed by various daimyo (feudal lords) and samurai clans. These agents were highly trained in various martial arts, disguise techniques, and information gathering, and their roles often involved infiltration, assassination, and sabotage.

One of the most famous historical figures associated with the name Shinobi is Hattori Hanzo, a legendary ninja who lived during the late 16th century. He was a skilled warrior and served as a trusted advisor and bodyguard to the powerful daimyo Tokugawa Ieyasu. Hanzo's exploits and reputation as a master of ninjutsu (the art of stealth) have been celebrated in various works of literature and popular culture.

Another notable figure with the name Shinobi was Fujibayashi Nagato, a skilled ninja who lived during the Sengoku period (15th-16th century). He was known for his expertise in espionage and was employed by various daimyo to gather intelligence and carry out covert operations.

In the 17th century, a man named Shinobi Nakatsukasa gained fame as a skilled swordsman and martial artist. He was known for his mastery of the ninjutsu techniques of the Iga and Koga regions, which were renowned centers of ninja training during that time.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), a ninja named Shinobi Yoshimura was renowned for his skills in infiltration and assassination. He was said to have carried out several high-profile missions for the Tokugawa shogunate, including the elimination of political rivals and opponents.

In more recent times, the name Shinobi has been associated with various fictional characters in popular culture, particularly in anime, manga, and video games, where it is often used to represent stealthy and skilled ninja characters or protagonists with ninja-like abilities.

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

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

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"Shinobi first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 7, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/shinobi-meaning-and-history/.

"Shinobi first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/shinobi-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 7 August, 2025

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

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