JapaneseNamer日本語の名前
明

あきら

アキラ

MaleRoyalPopularity: 78/100Shorter entry

Akira: Japanese Name Meaning

Meaning: Bright, Clear

明

akira

bright, clear, intelligent

Shorter entry

This page currently lists structured facts (readings, kanji, gender, and popularity). A fuller origin story, usage notes, and related context will be added as they are researched and verified.

All Readings

Kanji

明

Hiragana

あきら

Katakana

アキラ

Romaji

Akira

Cultural Significance

Akira is associated with clarity of mind and brilliance of spirit. The legendary filmmaker Kurosawa Akira gave this name global recognition as a name of creative genius.

Kanji Character Details

明

Character 1: 明

読み: akira

Meaning: bright, clear, intelligent

Together with the rest of the name Akira, 明 emphasizes “bright, clear, intelligent” in the usual interpretation.

Gender Usage

5%

Female usage

95%

Male usage

Male

Typical classification

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Akira mean in Japanese?›
Akira (明) means "Bright, Clear" in Japanese. The name is read あきら in hiragana.
Is Akira a boy or girl name?›
Akira is traditionally a boy's name in Japan, classified as a male Japanese name.
How do you write Akira in kanji?›
Akira is typically written 明 (あきら). Alternative kanji variants include 晃, 彰.
How do you pronounce Akira?›
Akira is pronounced あきら in hiragana (アキラ in katakana). The romanized spelling is Akira.

Writing Variants

Akira can also be written with these alternative kanji combinations:

明(primary)
晃(variant)
彰(variant)

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