Akira Unisex
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.
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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Akira was first seen in the United States in 1973.
Akira has ranked as high as #978 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 down 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.
Top States for Akira (1920)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 272 |
| 2023 | 247 |
| 2022 | 189 |
| 2021 | 204 |
| 2020 | 205 |
| 2019 | 210 |
| 2018 | 215 |
| 2017 | 251 |
| 2016 | 261 |
| 2015 | 260 |
| 2014 | 233 |
| 2013 | 229 |
| 2012 | 264 |
| 2011 | 275 |
| 2010 | 322 |
| 2009 | 345 |
| 2008 | 424 |
| 2007 | 336 |
| 2006 | 270 |
| 2005 | 229 |
| 2004 | 199 |
| 2003 | 213 |
| 2002 | 242 |
| 2001 | 202 |
| 2000 | 165 |
| 1999 | 179 |
| 1998 | 183 |
| 1997 | 143 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1995 | 82 |
| 1994 | 55 |
| 1993 | 69 |
| 1992 | 59 |
| 1991 | 46 |
| 1990 | 47 |
| 1989 | 30 |
| 1988 | 22 |
| 1987 | 34 |
| 1986 | 41 |
| 1985 | 29 |
| 1984 | 32 |
| 1983 | 50 |
| 1982 | 33 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1979 | 12 |
| 1978 | 15 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1975 | 8 |
| 1973 | 6 |