Chiaki
Gender-neutral name · Japanese
Meaningoften thousand autumns · Japanese
Chiaki is a Japanese gender-neutral name often meaning “thousand autumns”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Chiaki would score 15 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationChiaki peaked in 1990, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Chiaki you'd meet today is about 35 years old.
- HistoryChiaki first shows up in US birth records in 1989, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 36 years since.
US births per million girls, 1989–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Chiaki
Chiaki is a gender-neutral name of Japanese origin meaning “often thousand autumns”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1990s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
Questions about the name Chiaki
What does the name Chiaki mean?
Chiaki means “often thousand autumns” and comes from Japanese. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Chigusa (“thousand grasses”), Chiharu (“often thousand springs”), Chihiro (“often a thousand fathoms”) and Chiho (“often thousand ears of grain”).
What is the origin of the name Chiaki?
Chiaki is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Asa (“healer”) and Rio (“river”).
Is Chiaki a boy or girl name?
Both. Chiaki is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Chiaki?
Chiaki is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2012. It peaked at #11,409 in 1990, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Chiaki?
If you like Chiaki, you might also like Chigusa, Chiharu, Chihiro and Chiho.
What should I know before naming my baby Chiaki?
Chiaki is a Japanese gender-neutral name often meaning “thousand autumns”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.