N
NamyLab

Kenji

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Second Son; Strong"

Kenji is a Japanese male name whose meaning depends on selected kanji, commonly interpreted as second son or strong.

Themes:japanesekanjitraditionalmasculine
StrongPowerfulBold

Fact-checked by Grace Royal

M.A. Linguistics, Columbia UniversityCertified Naming Consultant15+ Years Experience • Editor-in-Chief

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Kenji

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#855Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#855

Kenji was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-28

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Kenji Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Kenji.

9 ideas
Ken
Nickname
kenji
Nickname
kenj
Nickname
keny
Nickname
ke
Nickname
ky
Nickname
ko
Nickname
kenjiy
Nickname
kenjio
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Kenji

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Kenji, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

18 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Kenji mean?
Kenji means "Second Son; Strong". Kenji is a Japanese male name whose meaning depends on selected kanji, commonly interpreted as second son or strong.
What is the origin of Kenji?
Kenji is of Japanese origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Kenji?
According to the latest SSA data, Kenji is currently ranked #855 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Kenji a boy name?
Kenji is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Kenji?
Popular nicknames for Kenji include Ken, kenji, kenj, keny, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Kenji?
There are many names similar to Kenji in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginJapanese
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#855
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withK

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Kenji

Kenji has Japanese roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Japanese baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Kenji appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Strength and Japanese Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Japanese Names That Mean Strength and Last Names That Mean Strong.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Kenji pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Kenji beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.