Akira Unisex

Popularity: #694 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ah-KEE-rah /aˈkiɾa/

Origin: Japanese

Meaning: bright; clear; intelligent

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Akira has its roots in the Japanese language, where it is written with various kanji characters that can convey meanings such as "bright," "clear," or "intelligent." The etymology of Akira can be traced back to the classical Japanese language, which has evolved over centuries, incorporating influences from Chinese characters introduced during the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE). The adoption of kanji into Japanese writing systems allowed for a rich tapestry of meanings and pronunciations, contributing to the name's versatility and appeal.

Historically, the name Akira has been borne by notable figures in Japanese culture, including Akira Kurosawa, a renowned film director whose works have had a significant impact on cinema worldwide during the 20th century. The name also appears in various literary and artistic contexts, reflecting its cultural resonance.

In the realm of literature, the name gained further prominence through the manga and anime series "Akira," which was first published in the 1980s and became a landmark work in the genre, influencing global perceptions of Japanese pop culture. Culturally, Akira is often associated with positive attributes such as brightness and clarity, making it a favored choice for many families.

The name's simplicity and elegance contribute to its lasting appeal in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad. Diminutive forms or variations of Akira, while not as commonly noted, may include affectionate nicknames that reflect familial bonds.

Overall, the name Akira encapsulates a blend of historical significance, cultural depth, and linguistic beauty, ensuring its place in the tapestry of Japanese naming traditions.

Famous people named Akira

In this section, you will find notable people named Akira. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Akira who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Akira who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Akira Kurosawa is a filmmaker best known for Seven Samurai, Rashomon, and Ikiru.

Akira Toriyama is a manga artist best known for Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, and Dragon Ball Z.

Akira Yoshida is a professional wrestler best known for his work in Japan and the United States under various ring names.

Fictional characters named Akira

The following list of fictional characters named Akira is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Akira Fudo is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Devilman. He is a high school student who becomes the titular Devilman, fighting against demons to protect humanity.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Akira, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

HiroKenjiRikuTaroYukiSora

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Akira. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KaitoRenHarukiDaikiRyoToshiroYukiHikaruKazuShinTakeshi

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Akira was first seen in the United States in 1913.

Akira has ranked as high as #1230 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Akira has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Akira is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Akira was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Akira.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 309 52 257
2024 328 54 274
2023 297 49 248
2022 235 45 190
2021 247 43 204
2020 251 46 205
2019 240 30 210
2018 260 45 215
2017 276 25 251
2016 285 24 261
2015 294 34 260
2014 268 35 233
2013 253 24 229
2012 292 27 265
2011 310 35 275
2010 356 34 322
2009 377 32 345
2008 453 29 424
2007 371 35 336
2006 307 37 270
2005 257 28 229
2004 244 45 199
2003 255 42 213
2002 287 45 242
2001 239 37 202
2000 202 37 165
1999 219 40 179
1998 224 41 183
1997 170 27 143
1996 124 32 92
1995 105 23 82
1994 73 18 55
1993 80 11 69
1992 80 21 59
1991 58 12 46
1990 64 17 47
1989 58 28 30
1988 33 11 22
1987 53 19 34
1986 60 19 41
1985 47 18 29
1984 45 13 32
1983 69 19 50
1982 46 13 33
1981 25 14 11
1980 12 6 6
1979 20 8 12
1978 22 7 15
1977 21 12 9
1975 16 8 8
1974 5 5 0
1973 6 0 6
1971 7 7 0
1970 7 7 0
1967 5 5 0
1964 5 5 0
1962 5 5 0
1939 9 9 0
1938 8 8 0
1937 5 5 0
1936 7 7 0
1935 10 10 0
1934 12 12 0
1933 7 7 0
1932 17 17 0
1931 26 26 0
1930 18 18 0
1929 34 34 0
1928 36 36 0
1927 54 54 0
1926 27 27 0
1925 29 29 0
1924 35 35 0
1923 36 36 0
1922 39 39 0
1921 32 32 0
1920 20 20 0
1919 29 29 0
1918 31 31 0
1917 13 13 0
1916 16 16 0
1915 14 14 0
1914 8 8 0
1913 8 8 0

Top States for Akira (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 53
22%
TX 35
15%
FL 19
8%
NY 16
7%
AZ 12
5%
IL 11
5%
TN 10
4%
VA 10
4%
PA 9
4%
OH 8
3%
NC 8
3%
WA 8
3%
MO 7
3%
CO 7
3%
GA 6
3%
NJ 6
3%
MI 6
3%
NV 6
3%