Taku
Meaningoften to open up · Japanese
Taku is a Japanese boy name often meaning “to open up”. 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 easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationTaku peaked in 1984, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Taku you'd meet today is about 41 years old.
- HistoryTaku first shows up in US birth records in 1984, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 41 years since.
US births per million boys, 1984–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Taku
Taku is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often to open up”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. 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 Taku
What does the name Taku mean?
Taku means “often to open up” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Hiraku (“to open up”).
What is the origin of the name Taku?
Taku is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Taku a boy or girl name?
Taku is a boy name.
How popular is the name Taku?
Taku is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2010. It peaked at #6,315 in 1984, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Taku?
If you like Taku, you might also like Hiraku.
What should I know before naming my baby Taku?
Taku is a Japanese boy name often meaning “to open up”. 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 easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, 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.