Kojiro
Meaningoften small second son · Japanese
Kojiro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “small second 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, Kojiro would score 17 points, thanks largely to the J (worth 8).
- GenerationKojiro peaked in 2010, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Kojiro you'd meet today is about 15 years old.
- HistoryKojiro first shows up in US birth records in 2010, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2010–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kojiro
Kojiro is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often small second son”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. 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 Kojiro
What does the name Kojiro mean?
Kojiro means “often small second son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Kenji (“often strong second son”), Advait (“without a second, unique”), Kato (“second-born twin”) and Koji (“often bright second son”).
What is the origin of the name Kojiro?
Kojiro is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Kojiro a boy or girl name?
Kojiro is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kojiro?
Kojiro is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2010. It peaked at #10,766 in 2010, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kojiro?
If you like Kojiro, you might also like Kenji, Advait, Kato and Koji.
What should I know before naming my baby Kojiro?
Kojiro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “small second 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.