Rising since 2005, #542 for boys today.
Popularity of Akari since 1990
Babies named Akari per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 57 | 0 |
| 2000s | 176 | 64 |
| 2010s | 386 | 266 |
| 2020s | 513 | 948 |
Meaning & origin
Akari entered the U.S. baby name charts in 2002 and has been steadily rising in popularity, particularly since 2005. As of 2025, it ranks 542nd nationwide, with a frequency of about 1 in 3,083 births. The name reached its peak popularity in 2025, reflecting a growing interest in Japanese names among American parents. Its strongest regional usage is in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Akari's appeal lies in its gentle sound and positive meanings, which vary across kanji combinations but often evoke light or natural imagery. The name's rise parallels the increased visibility of Japanese culture in media and the broader trend toward short, vowel-ending names.
Akari is a Japanese name that can be composed from various kanji combinations. Common meanings include 明かり ('light, brightness') or 紅 ('crimson') combined with 李 ('plum'). It is used for both boys and girls in Japan, though in the United States it has been recorded as a unisex name since 2002. The name gained some familiarity among English speakers through anime and Japanese media exports.
Where Akari is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Aka, Ari, Kari
Sibling names for Akari
Names that share Akari's style, for a brother or sister.
