Hajime
Meaningbeginning · Japanese
Hajime is a Japanese boy name meaning “beginning”. 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.
Did you know?
- Word funHajime doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Hajime would score 18 points, thanks largely to the J (worth 8).
- GenerationHajime peaked in 1925, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryHajime first shows up in US birth records in 1913, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 112 years since.
US births per million boys, 1913–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Hajime
Hajime is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “beginning”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1920s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. 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 Hajime
What does the name Hajime mean?
Hajime means “beginning” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Genesis (“origin, beginning”).
What is the origin of the name Hajime?
Hajime is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Hajime a boy or girl name?
Hajime is a boy name.
How popular is the name Hajime?
Hajime is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1991. It peaked at #2,089 in 1925, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Hajime?
If you like Hajime, you might also like Genesis.
What should I know before naming my baby Hajime?
Hajime is a Japanese boy name meaning “beginning”. 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. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.