Koji Boy

Popularity: #899 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOH-jee /ˈkoʊ.dʒi/

Origin: Japanese

Meaning: second son; to be strong

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Koji has its roots in the Japanese language, where it is typically written with kanji characters that can convey various meanings depending on the chosen characters. The most common kanji for Koji are "浩司," where "浩" (ko) means "vast" or "wide," and "司" (ji) means "to rule" or "to govern." This etymology reflects a cultural appreciation for qualities such as expansiveness and leadership, which are often valued in Japanese society.

The name has been used in Japan for centuries, with its earliest forms appearing in historical texts and records from the Heian period (794-1185), a time noted for its cultural and artistic achievements. Throughout Japanese history, the name Koji has been associated with various notable figures, including samurai and scholars, who have contributed to its enduring significance.

The name's presence in literature and historical accounts has helped solidify its place in Japanese culture. For instance, during the Edo period (1603-1868), the name may have been used by individuals in the merchant class, reflecting the social mobility of that era.

Additionally, the name Koji appears in various forms of Japanese media, including literature and film, which further embeds it in the cultural consciousness. Culturally, the name Koji is often linked to themes of strength and wisdom, resonating with traditional values in Japan.

It is not uncommon for parents to choose names for their children based on the auspicious meanings of the kanji characters, which can symbolize hopes for the child's future. The name also has diminutive forms, such as "Ko," which can be used affectionately, though these variations are less formal.

Overall, Koji embodies a blend of historical significance and cultural resonance that reflects the values and aspirations of Japanese society.

Famous people named Koji

In this section, you will find notable people named Koji. 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 Koji who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Koji 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.

Koji Kondo is a composer and sound designer best known for the music in the Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda series.

Koji Yamamoto is a professional wrestler best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and as a member of the Bullet Club.

Koji Suzuki is an author best known for writing the horror novel Ring, which inspired a successful film franchise.

Fictional characters named Koji

The following list of fictional characters named Koji 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.

Koji is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Yu Yu Hakusho. He is a powerful spirit beast who assists the main characters in their battles against evil forces.

Koji is a fictional character from the video game series Digimon. He is a Digimon Tamer who partners with the Digimon Agumon and plays a crucial role in the series' storyline.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Koji, 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 Koji. 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 Koji was first seen in the United States in 1922.

Koji has ranked as high as #1343 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, Hawaii, and Washington.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Koji 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 Koji was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Koji (2024)

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.

State Births Share
CA 7
100%

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 Koji.

YearBirths
202425
202333
202226
202119
202012
201915
201814
201713
201628
201517
201415
201318
201214
201114
201021
200915
200821
200717
200611
200518
200413
200314
200213
200110
200014
19997
19989
19967
199513
19945
199214
19918
199010
19896
19886
19867
19856
198418
198312
19825
19805
19756
19747
19735
19729
19266
19255
19225