Hikari is a Japanese given name that means "light" or "ray of light". It has been popular among both boys and girls in Japan for many years.
The origin of the name Hikari can be traced back to the Japanese word "hikari" (光) which means "light". This word is made up of two kanji characters: "hou" (放), meaning "to emit", and "kō" (光), meaning "light".
Hikari has been used as a given name in Japan since at least the Meiji period (1868-1912). It was particularly popular during the Taisho and Showa periods, which were characterized by rapid modernization and industrialization. During this time, many parents chose names for their children that reflected modern ideals such as progress, enlightenment, and optimism.
Some famous individuals with the name Hikari include:
* Hikari Yokoyama, a Japanese singer and songwriter who gained popularity in the late 1990s.
* Hikari Matsushima, a Japanese actress who became popular in the early 1980s.
* Hikari Ōe, a Japanese novelist whose works have been translated into several languages.
Today, Hikari remains a popular choice for parents seeking meaningful and distinctive names for their children. Its simplicity and powerful meaning make it an appealing option for both boys and girls.
The name Hikari has been given to babies born in the United States since at least 1993, with a total of 253 births recorded as of 2023.
The number of births varied annually from 8 to 17 between 1993 and 2023. The year with the highest number of Hikari births was 2021, with 19 babies named Hikari. Interestingly, the years immediately preceding and following 2021 also saw a high number of Hikari births, with 18 births in 2019 and 16 births in 2022.
The name's popularity has been steadily increasing over time. Between 1993 and 2015, the annual number of Hikari births fluctuated between 5 to 17 times a year. However, since 2016, there have been at least 14 Hikari births every year.
These statistics show that while the name Hikari may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, it has maintained a consistent presence and has seen an increase in usage over time. It is likely that many families choose this name for its unique sound and meaning, and perhaps also because it is not as common as other names.
It's always exciting to see how names evolve in popularity over time, and the data on Hikari births in the United States provides an interesting snapshot of this process. As we continue to collect and analyze data, we can gain insights into the trends and preferences surrounding baby names in our society.