Akira

Akira is a pretty uncommon name in the United States and has only been in circulation since the 21st century (at least with enough frequency to land a position on the Top 1000 list of baby girl names). As an Eastern name (i.e., Japanese), Akira would be considered exotically foreign by typical American naming standards. The name is most likely being used among Japanese Americans and other Asian-Americans, blended families and/or Japanophiles (i.e., lovers of Japanese culture). Adoption of non-European names has yet to become mainstream Americans (with the exception of African-Americans). Yet as a melting-pot society, more and more parents are beginning to look outside the West in an attempt to find new and interesting names for their children; and ones with special meanings. What better culture to look to than Japanese, a culture whose given names are loaded with pleasant meanings. Consider the following Japanese girl names: Aiko (beloved child); Chieko (wise child); Emiko (smiling child); Fumiko (scholarly child); Junko (obedient child); Keiko (blessed child) or Tomiko (treasured child). Unfortunately the typical American parent isn’t ready for the “-o” ending names for their daughters. That’s why Kimora and Akira are some of the few transliterated Japanese sounding names which have managed to squeak onto the U.S. charts. Akira is still a very low ranking name in America today which makes her an original choice (and not just for Japanese-Americans). The name carries an undeniable “brightness” and a beauty all her own.