Kentaro

“健太郎”

Japan origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#13173US 2015

7Births / yr

↓Falling

346All-time births

📅 Since 197400

How to pronounce Kentaro

KENT·ER·oh

/ˈkɛnt.ˈɛr.oʊ/ · stress on KENT · 3 syllables

“健太郎”

Japan origin · Boy name

What does Kentaro mean and where does it come from?

Kentaro is a traditional Japanese name composed of the kanji 健 (ken) meaning 'healthy' or 'strong' and 太郎 (taro) which means 'eldest son'. It has been used in Japan for centuries and is often given to boys. There are variations of this name with different kanji combinations depending on the parental

Cultural significance

Kentaro has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Japan-speaking communities, where it reflects values of 健太郎.

Peak popularity

Reached #3639 in 1995 — currently #13173 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Kentaro?

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

Kentaro Grace

How popular is Kentaro right now?

Falling — down 1514 spots — currently #13173 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1980–2015#13173 · Top 9.7%

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2015	#9848	7	▼ down 1514 · -22% births
2010	#8334	9	▲ up 241 · +13% births
2005	#8575	8	▼ down 3906 · -50% births
2000	#4669	16	▼ down 1030 · -11% births
1995	#3639	18	▲ up 468 · +29% births
1990	#4107	14	▲ up 1476 · +100% births
1985	#5583	7	▼ down 1164 · -22% births
1980	#4419	9	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Kentaro

Best Year1995Rank #3639

Peak Count18

Average Rank#6147

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1980 - 20158 years

The story of Kentaro

Kentaro is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1974. With 346 total births recorded, Kentaro remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4419 in 1980, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #9848 in 2015.

Names that peaked alongside Kentaro in 1995:

Michael Matthew Christopher Jacob Joshua

Kentaro by decade

Kentaro peaked in the 1990s. See all 1990s names →

Decade	Births
1970s	14
1980s	62
1990s	110
2000s ★	111
2010s	49

💎Kentaro has only 346 total recorded births since 1974 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Kentaro?

Common

KenKeAro

What names sound and feel like Kentaro?

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

Keitaro

Japan · The second son;

Kenjiro

Japan · strong second son

Kenmari

Japan · Strong, prosperous

Kenshiro

Japan · 賢志郎

Rintaro

Japan · distant, thick, or

Kotaro

Japan · Japanese

Gennaro

Italy · January; born in

Jenaro

Spain · January

Common questions about the name Kentaro

What does the name Kentaro mean?

Kentaro means "健太郎" — a name rooted in Japan 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 Kentaro?

Kentaro 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 Kentaro?

Kentaro originates from Japan tradition. Japan 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 Kentaro?

Kentaro is a three-syllable name pronounced K EH1 N T EH1 R OW0. 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 Kentaro?

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