Hikari is a Japanese given name of both feminine and masculine usage. It originates from the Japanese word "hikari" which means light.
The name Hikari has been in use since at least the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan, although its popularity has waxed and waned over time. In medieval Japan, it was a common name for both boys and girls, often used as a given name or part of a longer compound name.
The character "Hikari" is composed of the kanji characters 光 (hiragana: ひかり) which mean light or brightness. As such, the name Hikari has been associated with positivity, clarity, and enlightenment throughout Japanese history.
Today, Hikari remains a popular choice among Japanese parents, often used to express their hopes for their child's bright future. It is also commonly found in other East Asian countries where Japanese culture has had an influence.
According to recent statistics, the name Hikari has been gaining popularity in the United States. In fact, in 2023 alone, there were five babies named Hikari. This may seem like a small number, but it's important to note that this is just one year's worth of data and that popularity can fluctuate from year to year.
When looking at the total number of births in the United States each year, it becomes clear that five births is indeed a very small percentage. For instance, in 2021, there were approximately 3.6 million births in the U.S., making Hikari one of the least common names that year. However, this doesn't mean that parents should shy away from choosing the name Hikari for their baby girl.
Instead of focusing on popularity, parents might consider other factors when choosing a name for their child, such as its meaning or sound. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a name that feels right and meaningful to the parent(s) and that they believe will suit their child well.