Hiroshi is a Japanese given name for males that originates from the kanji characters 寛 (hiro) meaning "broad" or "wide", and 志 (shi) meaning "ambition" or "aspiration". The name Hiroshi is often translated to mean "abundant" or "prosperous ambition".
The name has a rich history in Japan, with several notable figures throughout its history bearing the name. One of the most famous was Prince Hiroshi, also known as Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified Japan and established the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. This shogunate ruled over Japan for over 250 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
The name Hiroshi has also been popular among modern-day Japanese individuals, particularly during the mid-20th century. It was among the top five most popular boys' names in Japan from the 1930s to the 1970s. Today, it remains a common and beloved name in Japan.
In addition to its popularity in Japan, Hiroshi has also gained international recognition through various forms of media. For instance, Hiroshi is the name of the main character in the popular video game series "The Legend of Zelda," which was created by Nintendo in 1986. This has helped to introduce and popularize the name outside of Japan.
Overall, the name Hiroshi carries a strong sense of ambition, prosperity, and broad-mindedness. Its rich history and enduring popularity make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a meaningful and culturally significant name for their sons.
The name Hiroshi has been present in the United States for over a century, with the first recorded birth in 1912. Between then and 2023, there have been a total of 1,548 births registered as Hiroshi.
The popularity of the name varied throughout the years. In its early years, from 1912 to 1939, it had a steady increase in popularity, reaching its peak with 73 births in 1921. However, after this peak, the number of Hiroshi births began to decline significantly.
The years between 1940 and 1960 saw a considerable drop in the number of babies named Hiroshi, with only five births recorded in total during these two decades. This trend continued into the early 1970s, with only six births recorded from 1965 to 1973.
However, starting in the mid-1980s, there was a notable resurgence in the popularity of the name Hiroshi. Between 1987 and 2000, there were an average of 8 births per year, with peaks in 1992 (12 births) and 1996 (12 births).
This trend continued into the new millennium, with over 30 births recorded each year from 2001 to 2010. The name Hiroshi reached its modern peak in popularity in 2011, with a total of 34 births registered that year.
Since then, the number of Hiroshi births has remained relatively stable, ranging between 7 and 19 births per year from 2012 to 2023. In the most recent year for which data is available (2023), there were 16 recorded births of the name Hiroshi.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Hiroshi has fluctuated over the years, it remains a distinct and recognizable name in the United States. With a total of 1,548 births registered since 1912, Hiroshi is undoubtedly a significant name in American history.