Akira昭

/ah-KEE-rah/

JapaneseBoy

Akira is a Japanese boy's name pronounced /ah-KEE-rah/. A classic name representing brightness, light, and clear understanding.

Meaning of Akira

A classic name representing brightness, light, and clear understanding.

Akira is primarily derived from the Japanese kanji for 'bright' (明), 'clear' (彰), or 'intelligent' (聡). Historically, the name traces back to Old Japanese where it denoted a state of luminous clarity and mental sharpness, often associated with sunlight or pure water.

Origin
Japanese
Pronunciation
/ah-KEE-rah/

Cultural background

It is a highly popular and versatile unisex name in Japan, commonly given to boys to signify a bright future. While classic, it remains a staple in modern Japanese society across all generations.

Variations & nicknames

  • Aki
  • Akira-kun
  • Akkey
  • Akiracchi

Famous people named Akira

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Akira Kurosawa

    Acclaimed filmmaker of 'Seven Samurai' and 'Rashomon'

    Film · 1910–1998

  • Akira Toriyama

    Creator of the influential 'Dragon Ball' manga series

    Art & Literature · 1955–2024

  • Akira Yoshino

    Nobel Prize-winning chemist and inventor of the lithium-ion battery

    Science · 1948–present

  • Akira Nishino

    Former manager of the Japan national football team

    Sport · 1955–present

  • Akira Kaneda

    The central protagonist of the landmark cyberpunk film 'Akira'

    Film · 1980s-present

Frequently asked about Akira

What does Akira mean?
Akira means 'bright', 'clear', or 'intelligent', depending on the kanji characters used to write it.
How do you pronounce Akira?
It is pronounced ah-kee-rah, with all three syllables having equal weight and short vowel sounds.
Is Akira a boy or girl name?
Akira is a unisex name in Japan, though it is more traditionally and commonly used for boys.
Is the name Akira popular outside of Japan?
Yes, it has gained international recognition largely due to the global influence of Japanese cinema and anime.

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