Declining since 2004, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Kenshin since 2001
Babies named Kenshin per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2003, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kenshin's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 132 |
| 2010s | 159 |
| 2020s | 72 |
Meaning & origin
Kenshin first appeared in U.S. birth records in 2001, clearly influenced by the global popularity of the manga and anime series 'Rurouni Kenshin.' The name saw its peak in 2022, when it ranked 7,679th nationally, with an estimated 1 in 170,808 boys receiving the name. Since then, its trajectory has been falling, with usage declining from its peak. California, where the name's lone top state appears, has a large Japanese-American population and strong ties to anime culture. Kenshin remains a rare but recognizable choice for parents seeking a name with Japanese roots and a heroic cultural reference.
Kenshin is a Japanese name composed of two kanji: 'ken' (剣, 'sword') and 'shin' (心, 'heart') or (真, 'truth'), though the exact intended meaning varies. The name gained widespread recognition in English-speaking countries through the manga and anime series 'Rurouni Kenshin' (1994-1999), which follows the story of a swordsman named Himura Kenshin. Despite its literary origin, Kenshin has been used as a given name in Japan prior to the series. In the United States, it first appeared on the Social Security Administration's list in 2001 and has seen occasional usage since.
Where Kenshin is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ken, Kenny, Shin
Sibling names for Kenshin
Names that share Kenshin's style, for a brother or sister.
