Issai

“to govern”

Japanese origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#1830US 2023

370Births / yr

→Stable

91All-time births

📅 Since 199000

How to pronounce Issai

iz·ES·AY·EYE

/ɪz.ˈɛs.ˈeɪ.ˈaɪ/ · stress on ES · 3 syllables

“to govern”

Japanese origin · Boy name

What does Issai mean and where does it come from?

Issai is a name of Japanese origin which generally translates to 'to govern' or 'to rule'. In Hebrew, it is derived from 'Yeshua', meaning 'Yahweh is salvation'. The name can thus be seen as representing authority as well as divine calling. It is relatively rare and does not feature prominently in h

Cultural significance

Issai has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Japanese-speaking communities, where it reflects values of to govern.

Peak popularity

Reached #5975 in 2006 — currently #1830 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Issai?

Issai works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Issai Grace

How popular is Issai right now?

Holding steady — currently #1830 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1990–2023#1830 · Top 1.4%

1990

2000

2010

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1830	370	▲ up 5 · +6% births
2022	#1835	350	▲ up 5 · +9% births
2021	#1840	320	▲ up 9520 · +5233% births
2010	#11360	6	▼ down 161 · +20% births
2000	#11199	5	▼ down 1885
1990	#9314	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Issai

Best Year2023Rank #1830

Peak Count370

Average Rank#6230

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1990 - 20236 years

The story of Issai

Issai is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1990. With 91 total births recorded, Issai remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #9314 in 1990 to #1830 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Issai in 2006:

Jacob Michael Joshua Ethan Matthew

Issai by decade

Issai peaked in the 2000s. See all 2000s names →

Decade	Births
1990s	12
2000s ★	55
2010s	24

💎Issai has only 91 total recorded births since 1990 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Issai?

Common

Iss

What names sound and feel like Issai?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Issai also consider these

Isai

Hebrew · Hebrew

Ishai

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Issaic

Hebrew · laughter

Issaih

Hebrew · God is salvation

Issi

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Nasai

Japanese · one who reads

Isain

Hebrew · He will laugh

Sai

Japanese · A term for

Common questions about the name Issai

What does the name Issai mean?

Issai means "to govern" — a name rooted in Japanese tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Issai?

Issai is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Issai?

Issai originates from Japanese tradition. Japanese names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Issai?

Issai is a three-syllable name pronounced IH0 Z EH1 S EY1 AY1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Issai?

Issai pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Japanese heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.