Declining since 1994.
Popularity of Naoki since 1980
Babies named Naoki per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 106 |
| 2000s | 70 |
| 2010s | 77 |
| 2020s | 39 |
Meaning & origin
Naoki is a Japanese name that has maintained steady appeal among Japanese parents for decades. The name's first recorded use in the Social Security Administration data appears in 1980, though its usage in Japan long predates that. Its peak year in the U.S. was 2020, though overall numbers remain modest. The name follows a trajectory of decline since 1994, reflecting broader naming trends. As a Japanese name, Naoki offers a connection to Japanese culture and nature, with a sound that is both soft and strong.
Naoki is a Japanese masculine given name formed from kanji characters. The most common readings use 直 (nao, meaning 'straight' or 'honest') and 樹 (ki, meaning 'tree'), giving the meaning 'straight tree' or 'honest tree'. Other kanji combinations exist, such as 尚 (nao, meaning 'still/prosperous') or 直 (nao) with 希 (ki, 'hope'). The name has been used in Japan for centuries, gaining particular popularity in the late 20th century.
“Naoki” around the world
Where Naoki 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: Nao, Naokun
Sibling names for Naoki
Names that share Naoki's style, for a brother or sister.
