Taishi
Meaningoften great ambition · Japanese
Taishi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “great ambition”. 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?
- GenerationTaishi peaked in 2011, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Taishi you'd meet today is about 14 years old.
- HistoryTaishi first shows up in US birth records in 1993, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 32 years since.
US births per million boys, 1993–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Taishi
Taishi is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often great ambition”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. 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 Taishi
What does the name Taishi mean?
Taishi means “often great ambition” and comes from Japanese.
What is the origin of the name Taishi?
Taishi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Taishi a boy or girl name?
Taishi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Taishi?
Taishi is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2013. It peaked at #7,502 in 2011, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What should I know before naming my baby Taishi?
Taishi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “great ambition”. 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.