Kaname
Meaningkeystone, pivot · Japanese
Kaname is a Japanese boy name meaning “keystone, pivot”. 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?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Kaname has the name Ana hiding inside it.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kaname would score 12 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKaname peaked in 1920, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryKaname first shows up in US birth records in 1920, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 105 years since.
US births per million boys, 1920–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kaname
Kaname is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “keystone, pivot”. 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 Kaname
What does the name Kaname mean?
Kaname means “keystone, pivot” and comes from Japanese.
What is the origin of the name Kaname?
Kaname is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Kaname a boy or girl name?
Kaname is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kaname?
Kaname is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #3,815 in 1920, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What should I know before naming my baby Kaname?
Kaname is a Japanese boy name meaning “keystone, pivot”. 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.