Yoshikatsu
A Japanese masculine name meaning "disciplined vigor" or "nourishing victory".
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Yoshikatsu. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Yoshikatsu today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Yoshikatsu births was 1918 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Yoshikatsu. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Yoshikatsu. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1918
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1918 SSA rank
#4,808
Tracked since 1918
Popularity
Yoshikatsu: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Yoshikatsu by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Yoshikatsu during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Geography
Where Yoshikatsus live
Origin
Meaning and history of Yoshikatsu
The given name Yoshikatsu is of Japanese origin, deriving from the combination of the words "yoshi" meaning "good" or "fortunate," and "katsu" meaning "victory" or "triumph." This name can be traced back to the ancient Japanese tradition of bestowing auspicious names with the intention of bringing good fortune and success to the child.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Yoshikatsu can be found in historical records from the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE) in Japan. During this era, the name was particularly popular among the samurai class, as it embodied the values of courage, strength, and honor that were highly revered in warrior culture.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Yoshikatsu was Yoshikatsu Uesugi (1556-1600 CE), a renowned daimyo (feudal lord) who ruled over the Aizu region of northern Japan during the late Sengoku period. He was known for his military prowess and his role in the Battle of Sekigahara, a decisive conflict that led to the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Another prominent individual with the name Yoshikatsu was Yoshikatsu Tokugawa (1827-1913 CE), a member of the influential Tokugawa clan and a prominent figure in the late Edo period and early Meiji era. He served as the Lord of the Kii Domain and played a significant role in the political and social reforms that took place during the transition from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the modern Japanese state.
In the realm of literature, Yoshikatsu Hara (1871-1923 CE) was a notable Japanese novelist and playwright. His works, which often explored themes of love, family, and social issues, were highly influential in shaping the literary landscape of the Meiji and Taisho periods.
Moving into the 20th century, Yoshikatsu Suzuki (1924-2013 CE) was a renowned Japanese architect and urban planner. He was instrumental in the reconstruction efforts following World War II and contributed to the design of numerous landmarks and public spaces in major cities throughout Japan.
Another notable figure bearing the name Yoshikatsu was Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (1892-1966 CE), a Japanese Buddhist monk and explorer. He was celebrated for his travels to Tibet and his contributions to the study of Tibetan culture and religion, as well as his efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding between Japan and Tibet.
Throughout its history, the name Yoshikatsu has carried a sense of auspiciousness and has been associated with individuals who have achieved notable accomplishments in various fields, ranging from military leadership and politics to literature, architecture, and exploration. It continues to be a popular name choice in Japan, reflecting the enduring cultural significance of bestowing meaningful and aspirational names upon children.
People
Yoshikatsu + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Yoshikatsu as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Y
Other first names starting with Y with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Yoshikatsu: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Yoshikatsu?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Yoshikatsu going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Yoshikatsu a common name?
We classify Yoshikatsu as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Yoshikatsu most popular?
The single biggest year for Yoshikatsu was 1918, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Yoshikatsu is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Yoshikatsu in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Yoshikatsu a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Yoshikatsu in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Yoshikatsu still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Yoshikatsu in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Yoshikatsu can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Yoshikatsu?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.