Holding steady.
Popularity of Kaoru since 1914
Babies named Kaoru per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 | 61 |
| 1920s | 61 | 101 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
| 1990s | 12 | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kaoru is a unisex Japanese name with the beautiful meaning of 'fragrance.' It first entered U.S. naming records in 1914, and its peak year was 1917, after which its usage remained stable but extremely uncommon. The name has never been widely adopted in the United States, with no state-level concentration and insufficient births to calculate a per-year rank. Its enduring if rare presence reflects the influence of Japanese culture and language, and the name carries an elegant, natural quality that transcends gender boundaries.
Kaoru is a classic Japanese name meaning 'fragrance' or 'scent,' derived from the verb 'kaoru' (to be fragrant). It has been used for both boys and girls since at least the early 20th century, often written with the kanji 薫 (fragrance) or 香 (incense, aroma).
Sibling names for Kaoru
Names that share Kaoru's style, for a brother or sister.
