Shuichi
Meaningoften excellent first son · Japanese
Shuichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “excellent 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, Shuichi would score 15 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationShuichi peaked in 1920, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryShuichi first shows up in US birth records in 1920, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 105 years since.
US births per million boys, 1920–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Shuichi
Shuichi is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often excellent 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 Shuichi
What does the name Shuichi mean?
Shuichi means “often excellent first son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Sterling (“genuine, excellent”), Aristeo (“the best, excellent”), Yu (“often gentle, excellent”) and Hideaki (“often excellent brightness”).
What is the origin of the name Shuichi?
Shuichi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Shuichi a boy or girl name?
Shuichi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Shuichi?
Shuichi is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1924. It peaked at #3,489 in 1920, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Shuichi?
If you like Shuichi, you might also like Sterling, Aristeo, Yu and Hideaki.
What should I know before naming my baby Shuichi?
Shuichi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “excellent 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.