Hikaru is a Japanese given name that means "light" or "shining." It has two kanji characters: 光 (hikari), which means light, and 朗 (rau), which means bright or clear. Together, they convey the idea of something shining brightly or clearly.
The name Hikaru is traditionally given to boys, but it can also be used for girls. It is considered a unisex name in Japan. According to some sources, Hikaru was one of the most popular boy names in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s.
Hikaru has been used by several notable figures in Japanese culture and history. For example, Hikaru Genji is a fictional character from the video game series "Fire Emblem." He is known for his skill as a fighter and his determination to protect those he cares about. In literature, Hikaru Nakamura is a prominent chess player who was born in Japan but later moved to the United States.
Overall, Hikaru is a beautiful and meaningful name with a rich history that reflects its connection to light and brightness. It is a popular choice among Japanese parents looking for a name that conveys positivity and hope for their child's future.
The name Hikaru has been given to babies born in the United States annually since 1992, with varying frequency over time.
In the early 1990s, there were fewer than 10 births each year for this name. However, starting from 1997, the number of annual births began to rise steadily, peaking at 14 in 2006.
After 2006, the frequency of Hikaru births fluctuated but generally remained above the levels seen in the early 1990s. Between 2015 and 2022, there were between 5 to 7 births each year for this name.
Overall, since 1992, a total of 162 babies have been named Hikaru in the United States. This indicates that while not extremely common, the name Hikaru has had some consistent presence among newborns over the past three decades.