Takeru
Meaningoften brave · Japanese
Takeru is a Japanese boy name often meaning “brave”. 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?
- Word funTakeru doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- GenerationTakeru peaked in 2001, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Takeru you'd meet today is about 24 years old.
- HistoryTakeru first shows up in US birth records in 1992, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 33 years since.
US births per million boys, 1992–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Takeru
Takeru is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often brave”. 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 Takeru
What does the name Takeru mean?
Takeru means “often brave” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “brave” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Wyatt (“brave in war”), Everett (“brave as a boar”), Leonardo (“brave as a lion”) and Richard (“brave ruler”).
What is the origin of the name Takeru?
Takeru is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Takeru a boy or girl name?
Takeru is a boy name.
How popular is the name Takeru?
Takeru is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2017. It peaked at #6,013 in 2001, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Takeru?
If you like Takeru, you might also like Wyatt, Everett, Leonardo and Richard.
What should I know before naming my baby Takeru?
Takeru is a Japanese boy name often meaning “brave”. 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.