Takeshi Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: tah-keh-shee /ta.ke.ɕi/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: warrior; vigorous
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Takeshi is of Japanese origin, derived from the kanji characters 武, meaning "military" or "warrior," and 史, which can mean "history" or "chronicle." The name has various forms and meanings depending on the specific kanji used, with some variations emphasizing strength or masculinity. The linguistic roots of Takeshi can be traced back to ancient Japan, where names often reflected virtues or characteristics valued in society, particularly during the Heian period (794-1185) when the samurai class began to emerge as a significant social force.
Historically, the name Takeshi has been borne by various notable figures in Japan, including samurai and military leaders, which underscores its association with valor and strength. One prominent example is Takeshi Kaneshiro, a well-known actor and singer, whose name has become synonymous with talent in the entertainment industry.
Additionally, the name appears in historical texts and literature, often linked to themes of honor and bravery, which were central to the samurai ethos. The use of the name in classical literature and folklore has contributed to its enduring significance in Japanese culture.
Culturally, Takeshi embodies ideals of courage and resilience, making it a name that resonates with traditional Japanese values. The name is often associated with the samurai spirit, reflecting a deep-rooted appreciation for martial prowess and loyalty.
In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations of the name, such as Take or Taka, may be used, but the core name Takeshi remains a powerful symbol of strength and honor in Japanese heritage. The name's historical and cultural significance has allowed it to maintain a prominent place in Japanese society throughout the centuries.
Famous people named Takeshi
In this section, you will find notable people named Takeshi. 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 Takeshi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Takeshi 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.
Takeshi Kitano is a filmmaker, actor, and comedian best known for Hana-bi, Sonatine, and Outrage.
Takeshi Kaneshiro is an actor and singer best known for Chungking Express, House of Flying Daggers, and Red Cliff.
Takeshi Obata is a manga artist best known for Death Note, Bakuman, and Hikaru no Go.
Fictional characters named Takeshi
The following list of fictional characters named Takeshi 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.
Takeshi Kovacs is a fictional character from the novel and TV series Altered Carbon. He is a former soldier and bounty hunter who navigates a future where consciousness can be transferred to different bodies.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Takeshi, 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 Takeshi. 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 Takeshi was first seen in the United States in 1912.
Takeshi has ranked as high as #874 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Hawaii, California, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Takeshi has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Takeshi 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 Takeshi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Takeshi (2005)
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 | 5 |
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 Takeshi.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1981 | 12 |
| 1980 | 9 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1938 | 7 |
| 1937 | 8 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1934 | 7 |
| 1933 | 6 |
| 1932 | 15 |
| 1931 | 13 |
| 1930 | 12 |
| 1929 | 15 |
| 1928 | 17 |
| 1927 | 13 |
| 1926 | 35 |
| 1925 | 32 |
| 1924 | 42 |
| 1923 | 25 |
| 1922 | 38 |
| 1921 | 30 |
| 1920 | 23 |
| 1919 | 28 |
| 1918 | 24 |
| 1917 | 14 |
| 1916 | 12 |
| 1915 | 16 |
| 1914 | 8 |
| 1913 | 8 |
| 1912 | 7 |