Kenji Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationKEN-jee / ˈkɛn.dʒiJapanese
Meaning
intelligent second son; strong second son
Historical & Cultural Background
Kenji is a traditional Japanese name that has been used for centuries. It is often given to boys born as the second son in a family. The name combines kanji characters that convey intelligence and strength. In Japan, names often reflect familial hierarchy and aspirations.
Trend Summary
Kenji has seen moderate popularity in the United States, particularly among families with Japanese heritage.
Similar Names
Variants
- Ken
- Kenjiro
International Variants
- Kenzhi (Chinese)
- Kenji (English)
Famous people named Kenji
Kenji Miyazawa was a Japanese poet and author known for his children's literature.
Kenji Goto was a Japanese journalist who reported on conflicts in the Middle East.
Kenji Fukuda is a Japanese professional wrestler known for his performances in various wrestling promotions.
Fictional characters named Kenji
Kenji is a character in the anime series 'Naruto,' known for his ninja skills.
Kenji is a character in the video game 'Street Fighter,' recognized for his martial arts abilities.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kenji was first seen in the United States in 1913. Kenji has ranked as high as #1059 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. In the past 5 years the name Kenji has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kenji (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 58 | |
| TX | 25 | |
| FL | 22 | |
| NY | 19 | |
| GA | 12 | |
| MA | 10 | |
| NC | 10 | |
| PA | 10 | |
| WI | 9 | |
| OH | 9 | |
| VA | 7 | |
| WA | 7 | |
| HI | 5 | |
| IL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1913 | 5 |
| 1914 | 9 |
| 1915 | 6 |
| 1916 | 10 |
| 1917 | 15 |
| 1918 | 17 |
| 1919 | 23 |
| 1920 | 27 |
| 1921 | 15 |
| 1922 | 30 |
| 1923 | 24 |
| 1924 | 20 |
| 1925 | 29 |
| 1926 | 16 |
| 1927 | 16 |
| 1928 | 17 |
| 1929 | 19 |
| 1930 | 11 |
| 1931 | 10 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1933 | 12 |
| 1934 | 9 |
| 1935 | 10 |
| 1936 | 6 |
| 1937 | 12 |
| 1938 | 9 |
| 1939 | 11 |
| 1940 | 8 |
| 1943 | 7 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1956 | 5 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1959 | 6 |
| 1960 | 8 |
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1963 | 7 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1965 | 9 |
| 1966 | 11 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1968 | 17 |
| 1969 | 17 |
| 1970 | 16 |
| 1971 | 19 |
| 1972 | 21 |
| 1973 | 28 |
| 1974 | 25 |
| 1975 | 26 |
| 1976 | 26 |
| 1977 | 57 |
| 1978 | 128 |
| 1979 | 84 |
| 1980 | 70 |
| 1981 | 40 |
| 1982 | 45 |
| 1983 | 28 |
| 1984 | 35 |
| 1985 | 30 |
| 1986 | 34 |
| 1987 | 22 |
| 1988 | 28 |
| 1989 | 27 |
| 1990 | 31 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1992 | 39 |
| 1993 | 30 |
| 1994 | 27 |
| 1995 | 55 |
| 1996 | 43 |
| 1997 | 44 |
| 1998 | 66 |
| 1999 | 56 |
| 2000 | 52 |
| 2001 | 72 |
| 2002 | 59 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 60 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 99 |
| 2007 | 108 |
| 2008 | 145 |
| 2009 | 159 |
| 2010 | 119 |
| 2011 | 147 |
| 2012 | 124 |
| 2013 | 125 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2015 | 122 |
| 2016 | 125 |
| 2017 | 137 |
| 2018 | 141 |
| 2019 | 156 |
| 2020 | 245 |
| 2021 | 281 |
| 2022 | 336 |
| 2023 | 296 |
| 2024 | 283 |