Rising since 1988, #943 for boys today.
Popularity of Kenji since 1913
Babies named Kenji per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 85 |
| 1920s | 213 |
| 1930s | 96 |
| 1940s | 23 |
| 1950s | 18 |
| 1960s | 104 |
| 1970s | 430 |
| 1980s | 359 |
| 1990s | 423 |
| 2000s | 889 |
| 2010s | 1,292 |
| 2020s | 1,692 |
Meaning & origin
Kenji is a Japanese name with deep cultural roots, first recorded in the United States in 1913. Its popularity has grown steadily, rising since 1988 and reaching its peak year in 2022. In 2025, the name ranked 943rd, with roughly 1 in 6,860 boys receiving the name. Kenji is most common in Hawaii, Nevada, and Wisconsin, reflecting its use in communities with Japanese heritage. The name's etymology varies by kanji selection, but common elements convey strength, intelligence, or second-son status. As a name that balances tradition and modern appeal, Kenji has seen increasing favor among parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name.
Kenji is a traditional Japanese masculine name composed of two kanji characters. The first element, 'ken' (健), means 'healthy' or 'strong,' while the second, 'ji' (二), means 'two,' often associated with the second son. However, 'ken' can also be written with other characters such as 賢 ('wise') or 兼 ('concurrently'), and 'ji' can be 治 ('govern') or 司 ('administer'), leading to a wide range of meanings. The name has been common in Japan since the early 20th century, with notable variations in kanji usage reflecting parental hopes for strength, intelligence, or leadership.
Where Kenji is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kenji” around the world
Where Kenji lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ken, Ken-chan
Variants: Kenji
Sibling names for Kenji
Names that share Kenji's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Yuki, Hana, Sakura, Emi, Aiko, Akira, Ima, Kairi, Nami, Emiko, Kaori, Kimiko, Kiyomi, Kyomi, Mariko, Sayuri, Takara, Tama, Tamiko, Yoshiko, Yuna, Ai, Akemi, Akiko, Akina, Ayako, Chiyoko, Hanako, Haruko, Inari, Kaida, Kazuko, Keiko, Kimie, Kiyoko, Masako, Mayumi, Megumi, Miyoko, Reiko, Runa, Sachiko, Satori, Saya, Shizue, Shizuko, Teruko, Tomiko, Toshiko, Yoko, Yoshie, Yukiko, Yumi, Yuriko, Asuna, Chieko, Chika, Chisa, Dai, Fumiko, Fusae, Fusako, Harumi, Hatsue, Hatsuko, Hiroko, Hisako, Katana, Kikue, Kyoko, Masa, Masami, Michiko, Mieko, Mitsue, Miyoshi, Miyuki, Namiko, Nishi, Rin, Sachi, Sadako, Sanae, Shigeko, Sumi, Sumie, Sumiko, Tamura, Toyoko, Yasuko, Yoneko, Yukie, Yumiko, Kanda, Aoki, Asako, Ayomi, Chiyeko, Eiko, Fujiko, Fumi, Geisha, Hideko, Hiromi, Junko, Kameko, Kamiko, Kanna, Kashi, Katsumi, Kazumi, Kimika, Kimiye, Kiori, Masae, Matsue, Matsuko, Mikita, Misao, Mitsuko, Mitsuye, Miyeko, Natsuko, Nobuko, Noriko, Oyuki, Sakae, Sayori, Setsuko, Takako, Tanaka, Tanji, Timiko, Tomoko, Toshie, Tsuruko, Tsuyako, Yori, Yoshiye, Yuko
Brothers: Taro, Hiroshi, Ryo, Kaito, Satoshi, Kota, Raiden, Ronin, Aizen, Kaizen, Kiyoshi, Akai, Akio, Gohan, Haru, Hideo, Hiro, Isamu, Jiro, Kazuo, Koji, Maki, Masao, Masaru, Minoru, Namari, Noboru, Sakai, Shigeo, Tadashi, Takashi, Takeo, Takeshi, Takumi, Toshio, Yoshio, Yukio, Haruo, Isao, Kaoru, Kazuki, Kazuma, Kentaro, Kitai, Mako, Masaki, Masato, Masayuki, Meiko, Mitsuo, Saburo, Sadao, Seiji, Sekai, Shiro, Tadao, Taji, Tamon, Tamotsu, Yasuo, Yoshi, Yusuke, Yutaka, Iwao, Keiji, Daisuke, Fumio, Goku, Hanzo, Hiroto, Hisao, Hisashi, Hitoshi, Ichiro, Isami, Kiyo, Koichi, Maiko, Masashi, Mori, Nobuo, Renji, Seichi, Shin, Shizuo, Shoichi, Shoji, Sota, Susumu, Takahiro, Takao, Takuya, Tatsuo, Tatsuya, Tetsuo, Tomio, Tsugio, Tsuneo, Tsutomu
