Takeshi
Meaningoften warrior, brave · Japanese
Takeshi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “warrior, 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 funTakeshi doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Takeshi would score 14 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationTakeshi peaked in 1924, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryTakeshi 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 Takeshi
Takeshi is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often warrior, brave”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, 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 Takeshi
What does the name Takeshi mean?
Takeshi means “often warrior, brave” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “warrior” 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 Luis (“famous warrior”), Louis (“famous warrior”), Finley (“fair warrior”) and Murphy (“sea warrior”).
What is the origin of the name Takeshi?
Takeshi is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Takeshi a boy or girl name?
Takeshi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Takeshi?
Takeshi is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #1,107 in 1924, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Takeshi?
If you like Takeshi, you might also like Luis, Louis, Finley and Murphy.
What should I know before naming my baby Takeshi?
Takeshi is a Japanese boy name often meaning “warrior, 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.