Kenji
Every Kenji since 1913 — 5,657 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Kenji
Kenji is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #944 in 2025 with 249 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1913, 5,657 American babies have been named Kenji. Its peak came in 2022, when 337 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Kenji stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Kenji year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 249 | #944 |
| 2024 | — | — | 284 | #856 |
| 2023 | — | — | 296 | #828 |
| 2022 | — | — | 337 | #754 |
| 2021 | — | — | 281 | #847 |
| 2020 | — | — | 245 | #913 |
| 2019 | — | — | 156 | #1,222 |
| 2018 | — | — | 141 | #1,296 |
| 2017 | — | — | 137 | #1,319 |
| 2016 | — | — | 125 | #1,409 |
| 2015 | — | — | 122 | #1,410 |
| 2014 | — | — | 96 | #1,620 |
| 2013 | — | — | 125 | #1,358 |
| 2012 | — | — | 124 | #1,364 |
| 2011 | — | — | 147 | #1,204 |
| 2010 | — | — | 119 | #1,403 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,486 | 159 | #1,150 |
| 2008 | — | — | 145 | #1,216 |
| 2007 | — | — | 108 | #1,486 |
| 2006 | — | — | 99 | #1,523 |
| 2005 | — | — | 75 | #1,765 |
| 2004 | — | — | 60 | #2,008 |
| 2003 | — | — | 60 | #1,951 |
| 2002 | 5 | #16,818 | 59 | #1,906 |
| 2001 | — | — | 72 | #1,640 |
| 2000 | — | — | 52 | #1,983 |
| 1995 | — | — | 55 | #1,661 |
| 1990 | — | — | 31 | #2,284 |
| 1985 | — | — | 30 | #1,947 |
| 1980 | 8 | #7,747 | 70 | #1,083 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,479 | 26 | #1,859 |
| 1970 | — | — | 16 | #2,354 |
| 1965 | — | — | 9 | #2,894 |
| 1960 | — | — | 8 | #3,214 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | 8 | #2,766 |
| 1935 | — | — | 10 | #2,460 |
| 1930 | — | — | 11 | #2,531 |
| 1925 | — | — | 29 | #1,378 |
| 1920 | — | — | 27 | #1,444 |
| 1915 | — | — | 6 | #3,635 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Kenji
- Kenji Mizoguchi Film director · 1898–1956
- Kenji Tochio Soccer player · b. 1941
- Kenji Doihara Military personnel · 1883–1948
- Kenji Miyazawa Writer · 1896–1933
- Kenji Kawai Composer · b. 1957
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Kenji in 2025?
Kenji ranked #944 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 249 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Kenji?
5,657 babies have been named Kenji in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Kenji most popular?
Kenji peaked in 2022, when 337 newborns received the name.
Is Kenji a boy or girl name?
Kenji is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Kenji rising or falling?
Kenji is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Kenji?
Well-known people named Kenji include Kenji Mizoguchi (film director), Kenji Tochio (soccer player), Kenji Doihara (military personnel).