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Ren for boys and Himari for girls were Japan's most popular first names given to boys and girls, according to a survey by education service provider Benesse Holdings.
Benesse conducted the survey between January 1 and September 27 this year in which it ranked the kanji characters most commonly used in naming a total of 280,000 babies born to its customers.
The character for Ren (蓮) means lotus, while Himari (陽葵) means sun. Himari was the most popular name for girls for the 8th consecutive year. Ren was ranked 5th in 2022.
The second most popular name for boys wasAo (ranked No. 1 in 2022), followed by Haruto, Minato and Aoi. For girls, Himari was followed by Rin, Sui, Tsumugi and Yuina.
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Gene Hennigh
Both are great names. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th names, too. Ah, from my lost past, "Akemi" will always be my favorite.
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factchecker
Perhaps Stimpy will join Ren next year?
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BackpackingNepal
These new generation, Japan has boys names which sound very gay and girl names as teen idols.
What happened to manly names Japan used to have? Such as Tetsuo, Takashi, Kenji, Shintaro, Tomokazu, Shini'ichi, and girls names as Mitsuko, Keiko, Sayuri, Akina, Miyoko etc.
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YeahRight
My daughter is expecting her first child (our first grandchild) in January or February. I am pushing for 琉公 (Luke) if it's a boy and 麗愛 (Leia) if it's a girl. So far, I think I'm losing. LOL!
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garypen
There were only 370,000 babies born in Japan thru June. If you extrapolate the extra 3 months thru Sept, that would be 555,000 babies born.
So, over 50% of all babies born in Japan from Jan thru Sept (280,000) were born into families who are Benesse customers? That's a pretty good market share.
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fallaffel
I think you're projecting a bit here. Many people don't want to name their kids after tons of people they already know. It's one reason why names go in and out of fashion.
These new generation, Japan has boys names which sound very gay and girl names as teen idols.
What happened to manly names Japan used to have? Such as Tetsuo, Takashi, Kenji, Shintaro, Tomokazu, Shini'ichi, and girls names as Mitsuko, Keiko, Sayuri, Akina, Miyoko etc.
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Daninthepan
from my lost past, "Akemi" will always be my favorite.
You haven't met my ex.
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Daninthepan
Names seem to be so generational in Japan. Every five years or so a new set of names will appear in my school register.
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kohakuebisu
My daughter is expecting her first child (our first grandchild) in January or February. I am pushing for 琉公 (Luke) if it's a boy and 麗愛 (Leia) if it's a girl. So far, I think I'm losing. LOL!
Use the force! It's in Scotland, but my brother's nephew is called Finn.
Anyone wanting to call their daughter "Himari" should note that she is highly unlikely to be called that in real life. Most of the time, she'll get "Hii-chan" or "Hima-chan". You can avoid undesirable shortened forms by using a short name that will not be shortened further.
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Speed
I guess no one is naming their boys Gombei or their girls Mutsuko anymore.
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virusrex
Interesting to see Himari being popular for so many years, maybe the image of positivity, or the slightly unusual way of reading the kanji without being completely out of the original reading or meaning help giving it some freshness.
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Gene Hennigh
Daninthepan
I know you know how I feel. Good on you.
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OssanAmerica
SpeedNov. 603:39 pm JST
I guess no one is naming their boys Gombei or their girls Mutsuko anymore.
Yea, the Edo period ended in the mid 1800s. The only Gombei you'll run into now is an instant noodle cup. Just like no one is America is naming their boy Bartholomew or Ichabod these days.
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