Kenichi
Meaningoften healthy first son · Japanese
Kenichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “healthy first son”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kenichi would score 16 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKenichi peaked in 1918, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryKenichi first shows up in US birth records in 1915, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 110 years since.
US births per million boys, 1915–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kenichi
Kenichi is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often healthy first son”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1910s, 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 Kenichi
What does the name Kenichi mean?
Kenichi means “often healthy first son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Valentino (“strong, healthy”), Kenzo (“often healthy third son”), Valentin (“strong, healthy”) and Valentine (“strong, healthy”).
What is the origin of the name Kenichi?
Kenichi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Kenichi a boy or girl name?
Kenichi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kenichi?
Kenichi is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2019. It peaked at #1,596 in 1918, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kenichi?
If you like Kenichi, you might also like Valentino, Kenzo, Valentin and Valentine.
What should I know before naming my baby Kenichi?
Kenichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “healthy first son”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.