Shinji Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SHIN-jee /ʃɪn.dʒi/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: truth; second
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shinji is of Japanese origin, composed of two kanji characters: 'shin' (真) meaning 'truth' or 'real' and 'ji' (司) meaning 'to govern' or 'to rule'. This etymological structure reflects a common practice in Japanese naming conventions, where the meaning of the name can vary significantly based on the specific kanji used.
The name has been used in Japan for centuries, with its roots traceable to the Heian period (794-1185), a time when the use of kanji became more prevalent in personal names, influenced by Chinese characters and culture. Historically, the name Shinji has been associated with various notable figures in Japanese history, including samurai and scholars.
The use of the name can be found in historical texts and literature, reflecting the values of truth and governance that were esteemed in Japanese society. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the significance of names became increasingly tied to social status and family lineage, further embedding names like Shinji within the cultural fabric of Japan.
Culturally, the name Shinji resonates with themes of integrity and leadership, qualities that have been revered in Japanese tradition. It has appeared in various forms of media, including literature and anime, where characters named Shinji often embody these traits.
Additionally, diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, but they are less documented historically. Overall, Shinji reflects a deep connection to Japanese language and culture, symbolizing ideals that have persisted through the ages.
Famous people named Shinji
In this section, you will find notable people named Shinji. 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 Shinji who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Shinji 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.
Shinji Ikari is a fictional character best known for the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Shinji Kagawa is a professional footballer best known for playing with Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and the Japan national team.
Fictional characters named Shinji
The following list of fictional characters named Shinji 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.
Shinji Ikari is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Neon Genesis Evangelion. He is the reluctant pilot of the Evangelion Unit-01, struggling with his identity and the expectations placed upon him.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Shinji, 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 Shinji. 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 Shinji was first seen in the United States in 1987.
Shinji has ranked as high as #1368 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Shinji has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Shinji 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 Shinji was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Shinji
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 Shinji.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1987 | 5 |