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Akira 明 – Japanese unisex given name

Akira (明) is read あきら and has 3 syllables. It is used for both boys and girls. Written as 明, the characters mean: bright. This reading can be written with at least 158 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 8 to 16 strokes in total.

About the name Akira

Akira is used for both men and women. 明 means bright, 晃 means shining and 彰 means clear or distinguished. The film director Akira Kurosawa is its best-known bearer.

How to write Akira in Japanese

Kanji	Reading	Literal meaning	Strokes
明	あきら	bright	8
晃	あきら	clear	10
彰	あきら	patent	14
日明	あきら	day + bright	12
明良	あきら	bright + good	15
信良	あきら	faith + good	16

Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.

The kanji in Akira

明

bright, light

8 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 2

On: メイ、ミョウ、ミン Kun: あ、あか、あき

晃

clear

10 strokes, an approved name kanji

On: コウ Kun: あきらか

彰

patent, clear

14 strokes, taught in secondary school

On: ショウ

Akira in different scripts

Romaji	Akira
Hiragana	あきら
Katakana	アキラ
Kanji (most common)	明

Full name examples

Akira Yuki (Japanese order: 結城明, ゆうきあきら)
Akira Kono (Japanese order: 河野明, こうのあきら)
Akira Maki (Japanese order: 牧明, まきあきら)

How to pronounce Akira

Break it into 3 parts: a · ki · ra. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 3 sound units are written あきら.

Questions about Akira

What does Akira mean in Japanese?

Akira has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 明, combines these meanings: bright. Other spellings include 晃 (clear), 彰 (patent), 日明 (day + bright).

How do you write Akira in kanji?

The most common way is 明 (あきら). It can also be written 晃, 彰, 日明, 明良, 信良.

How do you write Akira in katakana?

Akira is アキラ in katakana and あきら in hiragana.

Is Akira a boy or girl name?

Akira is used for both boys and girls.

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Themes: Light and sun

Other names that use 明

明: bright, light

Akana 明名 Akane 明子 Akemi 明三 Akie 明恵 Akiha 明葉 Akihiko 明彦 Akihiro 明広 Akihisa 明央 Akihito 明一 Akiho 明保 Akika 明加 Akiko 明子

Names with a similar sound

Aki 秋 Akie 明恵 Akiha 明葉 Akihiko 明彦 Akihiro 明広 Akihisa 明央 Akihito 明一 Akiho 明保 Akika 明加 Akiko 明子

Similar first names by meaning

Ageha 一葉 Ai 愛 Akana 明名 Akane 明子 Akari 灯 Akemi 明三 Aki 秋 Akie 明恵