Kiyoshi is a male Japanese given name that originates from the kanji characters "喜" (ki), which means "joy", and "美" (yo), which means "beauty". The name as a whole signifies "happiness and beauty".
The name Kiyoshi has a rich history in Japan, with numerous notable figures sharing this name. One of the most famous is Kiyoshi Kimura, a renowned Japanese businessman and CEO of a major sushi restaurant chain. Born in 1950, Kimura played a significant role in promoting Japanese cuisine worldwide.
Another prominent figure is Kiyoshi Miki, a highly respected Japanese poet and scholar born in 1897. Miki was known for his innovative approach to traditional Japanese poetry, particularly haiku, and left a lasting impact on Japan's literary scene.
In the world of art, Kiyoshi Yamashita is another notable figure with this name. Yamashita was an influential Japanese painter born in 1893 who played a significant role in bridging Western-style painting techniques with traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Despite its popularity and historical significance, Kiyoshi remains a relatively uncommon name outside of Japan. However, for those who choose to give their child this name or adopt it themselves, they are bestowing upon them a name rich in cultural heritage and positive connotations.
The name Kiyoshi has a fascinating history of usage in the United States, with fluctuations in popularity over the past century. Between 1910 and 2023, there were a total of 1,209 births registered for the name Kiyoshi in the U.S.
The earliest record of the name's usage dates back to 1910, with just five newborns receiving the name that year. However, it gained some traction over the next few years, reaching double digits by 1915, with 31 births recorded. The peak popularity for Kiyoshi occurred in the late 1920s and early 1930s, during which there were consistently more than 40 births per year from 1927 to 1932.
After a decline in usage through the mid-20th century, Kiyoshi's popularity picked up again in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with around five to eight births per year occurring between 1984 and 1995. Since then, there has been a steady increase in the number of newborns named Kiyoshi each year, reaching double digits again by the late 2000s.
The most recent data from 2022 shows that there were nine births registered for the name Kiyoshi in the U.S., suggesting that while it may not be one of the most common names, Kiyoshi continues to be a distinctive and unique choice for parents looking for an uncommon yet meaningful name for their child.