Kemari is a unique and captivating name of Japanese origin. Its meaning can be interpreted in various ways depending on the context. One interpretation is that Kemari signifies "ball game" or "kicking ball," referring to an ancient Japanese sport where players attempt to keep a ball suspended in the air using only their feet.
The history of Kemari dates back to the 7th century during Japan's Asuka period, making it one of the oldest recorded sports in the country. It was initially played among aristocratic circles and later became popular among the common people as well. The game held significant cultural importance and was considered a symbol of refinement and elegance.
The name Kemari itself is derived from the Japanese verb "kemaru," which means to stop or restrain, and the particle "-ri." This compound word was adopted into the name to reflect the game's focus on keeping the ball afloat without letting it touch the ground.
In modern times, Kemari remains an essential part of Japanese cultural heritage. It is still played today in various festivals and ceremonies throughout Japan. The name has also gained international recognition due to its unique sound and historical significance.
While Kemari may not be as common a given name compared to other traditional Japanese names like Hiroki or Sakura, it carries a distinctive charm that sets it apart from other monikers. It is an excellent choice for parents seeking an unusual yet meaningful name for their child with deep roots in Japanese history and culture.
Statistics for the given name Kemari in the United States between 1991 and 2023 show a varying trend over time. The name first appeared in the top 1000 names list in 1991 with only five births that year. It remained relatively uncommon until it started to gain popularity around the early 2000s.
In 2005, there were 26 births of Kemari, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued, reaching its peak in 2009 with 34 births. After this peak, the number of births began to fluctuate but remained consistently higher than the early figures.
From 2010 onwards, the name's popularity started to decline slightly, with the birth numbers ranging between 16 and 27 per year. The most recent data from 2023 shows that there were 15 births of Kemari in the United States.
Over this entire period (from 1991 to 2023), a total of 513 babies named Kemari were born in the United States. This data highlights the increasing popularity of the name over time, with peaks in the mid-2000s and again in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Despite some fluctuations in recent years, Kemari remains a recognizable name in the U.S. naming landscape.