Kiichi
Meaningoften joyful first son · Japanese
Kiichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “joyful 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 soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kiichi would score 15 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKiichi peaked in 1919, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryKiichi first shows up in US birth records in 1918, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 107 years since.
US births per million boys, 1918–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kiichi
Kiichi is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often joyful first son”. 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 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 Kiichi
What does the name Kiichi mean?
Kiichi means “often joyful first son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Gaudencio (“joyful”), Harshit (“joyful”), Keito (“often joyful person”) and Raon (“joyful”).
What is the origin of the name Kiichi?
Kiichi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Kiichi a boy or girl name?
Kiichi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kiichi?
Kiichi is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1923. It peaked at #3,391 in 1919, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kiichi?
If you like Kiichi, you might also like Gaudencio, Harshit, Keito and Raon.
What should I know before naming my baby Kiichi?
Kiichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “joyful 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 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.