Kentaro is a Japanese given name of uncertain origin and meaning. While some sources suggest that it means "strong man" or "healthy boy," others claim that its origins are unknown. The name Kentaro gained popularity in Japan during the late 20th century, with its usage peaking in the early to mid-1980s.
Despite its uncertain etymology, Kentaro has been popular among Japanese parents for several reasons. One possible explanation for its popularity is that it shares the same kanji characters as other well-regarded names, such as Yōsuke and Yasuo. Additionally, Kentaro's strong and healthy connotations may have appealed to parents hoping for robust children.
The name Kentaro has been used by notable individuals throughout history, including Kentarō Isomura, a Japanese actor best known for his role in the television series "Gokusen," and Kentarō Satō, a professional wrestler who competed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. These figures have helped to further popularize the name among Japanese audiences.
In recent years, the popularity of Kentaro has declined slightly in Japan, but it remains a beloved name with historical significance and cultural relevance. It continues to be chosen by parents seeking a strong and traditional name for their sons.
The name Kentaro has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 346 babies given this name between 1974 and 2019.
The name's peak popularity came in the late 1990s to early 2000s. In 1995, there were 18 births with the name Kentaro, making it the highest number of births for this name in a single year during the given period. This trend continued into the following years, with 15 births in 1996 and 14 births in 1997.
However, the popularity of the name has since declined. After 2008, there were fewer than 10 births per year with the name Kentaro until a slight increase in 2015 with 7 births. Since then, the number of births has returned to single digits, with 5 births each in 2016 and 2019.
Despite this decline in recent years, the name Kentaro still holds significance as it has been consistently present in the United States' birth records since at least 1974.