Seiji

Meaning & origin

Seiji is a Japanese masculine name that saw its highest popularity in the United States in the mid-1920s, reaching a peak in 1925. Its rank of 8,910th in 2025 reflects a falling trajectory since 2011, with usage now quite rare at a rate of 1 in 213,510. The name has been recorded in U.S. data since 1914, when Japanese immigration was growing. While no single U.S. state shows concentrated popularity, the name carries strong cultural resonance for Japanese-American families. Its etymology ties directly to virtues of sincerity or righteousness and the birth order of a second son. In Japanese, the name can be written with various kanji combinations, but the most common imply a moral or familial meaning. The decline in usage may reflect broader assimilation trends, but Seiji remains a distinctive choice with authentic Japanese roots.

Seiji is a Japanese masculine name typically written with kanji characters such as 誠二 (sincerity + second) or 正二 (righteous + second). The first element 誠 (sei) means 'sincerity' or 'truth,' and 正 (sei) means 'righteous' or 'correct'; the second element 二 (ji) means 'two' and often indicates a second-born son. The name has been in use since at least the early 20th century and was most popular in the 1920s in the United States, reflecting Japanese immigration patterns.