Nobuyuki
Meaningoften faithful fortune · Japanese
Nobuyuki is a Japanese boy name often meaning “faithful fortune”. 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 a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Nobuyuki would score 17 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationNobuyuki peaked in 1924, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryNobuyuki first shows up in US birth records in 1921, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 104 years since.
US births per million boys, 1921–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nobuyuki
Nobuyuki is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often faithful fortune”. With 4 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. 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 Nobuyuki
What does the name Nobuyuki mean?
Nobuyuki means “often faithful fortune” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Kaleb (“dog, faithful”), Amin (“trustworthy, faithful”) and Fidel (“faithful”).
What is the origin of the name Nobuyuki?
Nobuyuki is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Nobuyuki a boy or girl name?
Nobuyuki is a boy name.
How popular is the name Nobuyuki?
Nobuyuki is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1928. It peaked at #3,260 in 1924, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Nobuyuki?
If you like Nobuyuki, you might also like Caleb, Kaleb, Amin and Fidel.
What should I know before naming my baby Nobuyuki?
Nobuyuki is a Japanese boy name often meaning “faithful fortune”. 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 a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, 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.