Kentaro
Meaningoften strong eldest son · Japanese
Kentaro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “strong eldest 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?
- Word funKentaro doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
- GenerationKentaro peaked in 1995, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Kentaro you'd meet today is about 30 years old.
- HistoryKentaro first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kentaro
Kentaro is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often strong eldest son”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. 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.
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 Kentaro
What does the name Kentaro mean?
Kentaro means “often strong eldest son” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “strong” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Griffin (“strong lord”), Bryan (“possibly noble, strong”), Brian (“possibly noble, strong”) and Valentino (“strong, healthy”).
What is the origin of the name Kentaro?
Kentaro is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Kentaro a boy or girl name?
Kentaro is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kentaro?
Kentaro 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 #3,559 in 1995, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kentaro?
If you like Kentaro, you might also like Griffin, Bryan, Brian and Valentino.
What should I know before naming my baby Kentaro?
Kentaro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “strong eldest 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.