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Comparing Japanese Names in 1912 with Modern Names

Comparing Japanese Names in 1912 with Modern Names
Comparing Japanese Names in 1912 with Modern Names

The Japanese insurance company Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance compiles yearly rankings of “the most popular names” given to newborns in Japan. These rankings provide insight into local naming trends. In 2019, one big national event was the era change from Heisei (平成) to Reiwa (令和). After 31 years, the Heisei era ended, and everyone in Japan was excited to welcome Reiwa. Below, we’ll see how such cultural and historical changes may (or may not) have influenced baby naming.

The Latest Ranking of the Most Popular Names for Boys (2019)

  1. 蓮 (Ren) Click to speech れん
    • Kanji Meaning: lotus flower
  2. 陽翔 (Haruto) Click to speech はると
    • Kanji Meaning: 陽 = sunlight, 翔 = flying
  3. 新 (Arata) Click to speech あらた
    • Kanji Meaning: new
  4. 湊 (Minato) Click to speech みなと
    • Kanji Meaning: harbor
  5. 蒼 (Sō) Click to speech そう
    • Kanji Meaning: the blue color of grass
  6. 律 (Ritsu) Click to speech りつ
    • Kanji Meaning: standard, regulation
  7. 樹 (Itsuki) Click to speech いつき
    • Kanji Meaning: standing tree
  8. 大翔 (Hiroto) Click to speech ひろと
    • Kanji Meaning: 大 = big, 翔 = flying
  9. 悠真 (Yūma) Click to speech ゆうま
    • Kanji Meaning: 悠 = comfortable, considering, 真 = straight, honest
  10. 朝陽 (Asahi) Click to speech あさひ
    • Kanji Meaning: 朝 = morning, 陽 = sunlight

“蓮 (Ren)” also ranked #1 in 2018. The name “Ren” can be written in various ways, but this particular kanji (蓮) is the most popular. Lotus flowers (蓮) have symbolic importance in Buddhism and are often linked to temples. They also convey strength, as the lotus plant firmly roots itself in the ground. Additionally, the name is short, easy to pronounce, and memorable—factors that likely boost its appeal.

In third place, “新 (Arata)” means “new,” which resonates with the start of the Reiwa era. It didn’t break into the top 10 until 2018, but in 2019—coinciding with the new era—it surged in popularity.

Looking at these results, you’ll notice that single-kanji names are a common preference for boys.

The Latest Ranking of the Most Popular Names for Girls (2019)

  1. 凛 (Rin) Click to speech りん
    • Kanji Meaning: gallant
  2. 陽葵 (Himari) Click to speech ひまり
    • Kanji Meaning: 陽 = sunlight, 葵 = plant name
  3. 結愛 (Yua) Click to speech ゆあ
    • Kanji Meaning: 結 = linking/connecting, 愛 = love
  4. 杏 (Ann) Click to speech あん
    • Kanji Meaning: apricot
  5. 紬 (Tsumugi) Click to speech つむぎ
    • Kanji Meaning: a soft cloth woven from raw silk
  6. 莉子 (Riko) Click to speech りこ
    • Kanji Meaning: 莉 = jasmine, 子 = child
  7. 結月 (Yuzuki) Click to speech ゆずき
    • Kanji Meaning: 結 = linking, 月 = moon
  8. 芽依 (Mei) Click to speech めい
    • Kanji Meaning: 芽 = sprout, 依 = feeling at ease
  9. 美月 (Mitsuki) Click to speech みつき
    • Kanji Meaning: 美 = beauty, 月 = moon
  10. 心春 (Koharu) Click to speech こはる
    • Kanji Meaning: 心 = heart, 春 = spring

The top-ranked name “凛 (Rin)” rose from #5 the previous year. Besides having a cute sound, it also means “gallant” or “dignified,” suggesting parents want their daughters to be strong and independent women.

People in Japan were abuzz over the new Reiwa era, derived from an ancient poetry anthology. This spotlight on “traditional Japanese style” could explain why old-fashioned names like “紬 (Tsumugi)” or “莉子 (Riko)” gained traction. (For instance, 紬 references a traditional textile, and “子 (ko)” endings were mainstream from the 1980s.)

Similar to boys’ names, single-kanji names are also a hit among girls.

At this point, we’ve covered the most recent name rankings. Now let’s take a look at some older data from 1912 (the very start of the Taisho era).

The Oldest Ranking of the Most Popular Names for Boys (1912)

  1. 正一 (Shōichi) Click to speech しょういち
    • Kanji Meaning: 正 = right, 一 = one, first
  2. 清 (Kiyoshi) Click to speech きよし
    • Kanji Meaning: purely
  3. 正雄 (Masao) Click to speech まさお
    • Kanji Meaning: 正 = right, 雄 = male
  4. 正 (Tadashi) Click to speech ただし
    • Kanji Meaning: right
  5. 茂 (Shigeru) Click to speech しげる
    • Kanji Meaning: rich and beautiful
  6. 武雄 (Takeo) Click to speech たけお
    • Kanji Meaning: 武 = samurai, 雄 = male
  7. 正治 (Masaharu) Click to speech まさはる
    • Kanji Meaning: 正 = right, 治 = governing
  8. 三郎 (Saburō) Click to speech さぶろう
    • Kanji Meaning: 三 = three, third, 郎 = young man
  9. 正夫 (Masao) Click to speech まさお
    • Kanji Meaning: 正 = right, 夫 = husband
  10. 一郎 (Ichirō) Click to speech いちろう
    • Kanji Meaning: 一 = one, first, 郎 = young man

In 1912, Japan was transitioning from Meiji to Taishō (大正). The widespread usage of “正 (meaning: right)” in names like 正一, 正雄, 正, 正治, and 正夫 ties in with that Taishō era sense of renewal.

The top name, “正一 (Shōichi),” was typically given to a first son. Notably, in 1913, “正二 (Shōji)” (featuring 二 = two) topped the list for second sons, and in 1914, “正三 (Shōzou)” (三 = three) topped for third sons, continuing this numeric pattern.

Meanwhile, “清 (Kiyoshi),” in second place, remained in the top 10 from 1912 to 1955.

The Oldest Ranking of the Most Popular Names for Girls (1912)

  1. 千代 (Chiyo) Click to speech ちよ
    • Kanji Meaning: 千 = thousand, 代 = world/age
  2. ハル (Haru) Click to speech はる
    • Meaning: spring
  3. ハナ (Hana) Click to speech はな
    • Meaning: flower
  4. 正子 (Masako) Click to speech まさこ
    • Kanji Meaning: 正 = right, 子 = child
  5. 文子 (Fumiko) Click to speech ふみこ
    • Kanji Meaning: 文 = literature, 子 = child
  6. ヨシ (Yoshi) Click to speech よし
    • Meaning: good/right
  7. 千代子 (Chiyoko) Click to speech ちよこ
    • Kanji Meaning: 千 = thousand, 代 = world/age, 子 = child
  8. キヨ (Kiyo) Click to speech きよ
    • Meaning: purely
  9. 静子 (Seiko) Click to speech せいこ
    • Kanji Meaning: 静 = quiet, 子 = child
  10. はる (Haru) Click to speech はる
    • Meaning: spring

Compare this with modern rankings for girls, and you’ll see major differences. Around half the names are written in hiragana or katakana rather than kanji. Scholars suggest lower literacy rates of parents at that time influenced this trend. Also, while boys often received “prestigious kanji” names, it was more common for girls to be given simpler, non-kanji names. Even today, some families choose only hiragana or katakana for a “feminine” feel.

Tying into the Taishō era name style, “正子 (Masako)” landed fourth, reflecting the popularity of “正” (meaning “right” or “proper”) even among girls.

Reiwa (令和) Names Post-2019

When “Reiwa (令和)” was adopted in 2019, many people also paid attention to “令 (Rei)” as a possible name element. It translates loosely to “order” or “auspicious,” with a nuance of “beauty/harmony.” For example:

  • 令奈 (Rena), 令佳 (Reika) for girls
  • 令真 (Ryōma), 令貴 (Reiki) for boys

All incorporate this “令 (Rei)” from the new era. Babies born in or after June 2019 saw a spike in these “Reiwa-based” names, similar to how “正” was favored during the early Taishō period.

Final Thoughts

Curious about how Japanese naming has evolved over time? From the renewed popularity of single-kanji names to the sudden emergence of “令” in Reiwa, naming in Japan always reflects social, historical, and cultural shifts. Whether it’s 1912 or 2019, era changes—and the sense of a “new beginning”—can inspire parents to choose names that symbolize hope, luck, or tradition.

Reference: Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance – Name Rankings men Name Rankings women

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