Declining since 1992, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Kenta since 1973
Babies named Kenta per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 93 |
| 1980s | 120 |
| 1990s | 216 |
| 2000s | 155 |
| 2010s | 98 |
| 2020s | 29 |
Meaning & origin
Kenta is a Japanese name that gained modest use in the United States beginning in the 1970s, with its highest rank of 9714 occurring in 1977. Since 1992, its popularity has been falling, and as of 2025 it occurs in roughly 1 in 244,011 births. The name is typically written with kanji characters that convey meanings of health and strength, though the exact meaning depends on the characters selected. Despite its decline in recent decades, Kenta remains a recognizable Japanese name choice.
Kenta is a Japanese given name typically written with two kanji characters. The first character 'ken' often means 'healthy' or 'strong,' and the second 'ta' can mean 'thick,' 'big,' or 'plump.' However, the specific meaning varies depending on the kanji chosen. The name became moderately popular in Japan during the 1970s and has seen some use outside Japan, particularly among Japanese diaspora communities.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ken, Kenta-kun
Sibling names for Kenta
Names that share Kenta's style, for a brother or sister.
