Akari
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Akari
Akari took the spot as most popular name in Japan back in 2018 and while it's no longer in top place, it does remain familiar — for girls, that is. Meaning "bright, light village" or "vermillion + white jasmine", depending on what kanji is used, how exactly did this come to be one of the fastest rising names for American boys in 2025?
Akari for boys#542 US
While it is used occasionally as a masculine name in Japan (video game producer Akari Uchida being one such bearer), in the US, its rise may be down to its similarity to names such as Jakari, Dakari, Amari, Kamari, Zakari, and Jamari, with the additional international twist of Kenji and Kenzo.
It made its US debut in 2025 when it jumped straight in at #542 having been chosen for 554 boys — five times more than it was used the year prior. 104 girls also received the name.
The traditional Japanese pronunciation would be A-KA-REE, while in the US, uh-KAHR-ee is more likely.
Akari for girls#1881 US
Akari is a gender-neutral Japanese name used fairly evenly between the sexes in the US.
There are several well-known female singers and actors named Akira in Japan, and Akira Watanabe is a popular anime character.
Pronounced ah-KAR-ee.
As of October 2026, Akari ranked #542 in US births in 2025 SSA.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #4,139 | 24 | #3,589 | 43 |
| 2015 | #4,893 | 19 | #4,986 | 27 |
| 2016 | #4,471 | 22 | #3,928 | 38 |
| 2017 | #3,382 | 33 | #4,067 | 36 |
| 2018 | #2,944 | 40 | #2,748 | 62 |
| 2019 | #2,583 | 50 | #3,669 | 41 |
| 2020 | #2,347 | 57 | #2,967 | 54 |
| 2021 | #2,499 | 53 | #2,716 | 63 |
| 2022 | #2,094 | 71 | #2,446 | 74 |
| 2023 | #1,604 | 108 | #1,813 | 111 |
| 2024 | #1,625 | 104 | #1,861 | 107 |
| 2025 | #542 | 554 | #1,881 | 104 |
World rankings
Akari for boys
Akari for girls
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