Genki
Meaningoften vigor · Japanese
Genki is a Japanese boy name often meaning “vigor”. 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 easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationGenki peaked in 1994, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Genki you'd meet today is about 31 years old.
- HistoryGenki first shows up in US birth records in 1994, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 31 years since.
US births per million boys, 1994–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Genki
Genki is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often vigor”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese boy names
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Boy name: Kenji · often strong second son
- Unisex name: Ren · often lotus
- Unisex name: Zen · meditation
- Unisex name: Mars · god of war
Questions about the name Genki
What does the name Genki mean?
Genki means “often vigor” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Ojas (“vigor, vitality”), Ghassan (“youthful vigor”) and Nashat (“energy, vigor”).
What is the origin of the name Genki?
Genki is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Genki a boy or girl name?
Genki is a boy name.
How popular is the name Genki?
Genki is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1994. It peaked at #8,800 in 1994, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Genki?
If you like Genki, you might also like Ojas, Ghassan and Nashat.
What should I know before naming my baby Genki?
Genki is a Japanese boy name often meaning “vigor”. 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 easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.