Shoichi
Meaningoften soaring first son · Japanese
Shoichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “soaring 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, Shoichi would score 15 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationShoichi peaked in 1927, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryShoichi first shows up in US birth records in 1912, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 113 years since.
US births per million boys, 1912–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Shoichi
Shoichi is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often soaring 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 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 Shoichi
What does the name Shoichi mean?
Shoichi means “often soaring first son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Kaito (“often sea, soaring”), Haruto (“often sun, soaring”), Shohei (“often soaring peace”) and Sho (“often soaring”).
What is the origin of the name Shoichi?
Shoichi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Shoichi a boy or girl name?
Shoichi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Shoichi?
Shoichi is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1937. It peaked at #1,796 in 1927, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Shoichi?
If you like Shoichi, you might also like Kaito, Haruto, Shohei and Sho.
What should I know before naming my baby Shoichi?
Shoichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “soaring 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.