Kiyoshi Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kee-yoh-shee /kiːjoʊʃi/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: pure; quiet
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kiyoshi is of Japanese origin, derived from the kanji characters 清 (kiyo), meaning "pure" or "clear," and し (shi), which can denote a state or condition. The name has been used in Japan for centuries, with its roots traceable to classical Japanese literature and culture.
The combination of these characters reflects a cultural appreciation for purity and clarity, which are significant values in various aspects of Japanese life, including aesthetics and philosophy. Historically, Kiyoshi has been borne by notable figures in Japan, including scholars and artists, contributing to its cultural resonance.
The name appears in various historical texts and records, particularly during the Edo period (17th to 19th centuries), when names often reflected virtues or desirable traits. Additionally, the name has been associated with various cultural practices, such as the celebration of purity in Shinto rituals, where the concept of cleanliness is paramount.
In terms of cultural significance, Kiyoshi embodies ideals of purity and clarity, which resonate deeply within Japanese society. The name has been used in various forms of art, literature, and even in the naming of places, reinforcing its enduring presence in Japanese culture.
A related diminutive form is Kiyo, which also carries similar meanings and is sometimes used affectionately. Overall, Kiyoshi reflects a rich linguistic and cultural heritage that highlights the importance of purity in Japanese tradition.
Famous people named Kiyoshi
In this section, you will find notable people named Kiyoshi. 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 Kiyoshi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kiyoshi 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.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa is a filmmaker best known for Cure, Pulse, and Tokyo Sonata.
Kiyoshi Takahashi is a professional wrestler best known for his time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Fictional characters named Kiyoshi
The following list of fictional characters named Kiyoshi 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.
Kiyoshi is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Kuroko's Basketball. He is a talented basketball player known for his exceptional skills and leadership on the court.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kiyoshi, 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 Kiyoshi. 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 Kiyoshi was first seen in the United States in 1910.
Kiyoshi has ranked as high as #844 nationally, which occurred in 1923, and has been most popular in Hawaii, California, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Kiyoshi has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kiyoshi 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 Kiyoshi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kiyoshi (2014)
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 Kiyoshi.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1979 | 8 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1943 | 7 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1938 | 9 |
| 1937 | 7 |
| 1936 | 14 |
| 1935 | 10 |
| 1934 | 12 |
| 1933 | 18 |
| 1932 | 19 |
| 1931 | 18 |
| 1930 | 21 |
| 1929 | 18 |
| 1928 | 31 |
| 1927 | 38 |
| 1926 | 47 |
| 1925 | 60 |
| 1924 | 56 |
| 1923 | 66 |
| 1922 | 56 |
| 1921 | 53 |
| 1920 | 53 |
| 1919 | 53 |
| 1918 | 42 |
| 1917 | 38 |
| 1916 | 39 |
| 1915 | 31 |
| 1914 | 17 |
| 1913 | 7 |
| 1912 | 9 |
| 1910 | 5 |