Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Akari
UnisexJapanese· “light, brightness”
- Meaning
- light, brightness
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- ah-KAH-ree
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #542
- US babies 2025
- 554
- Best rank
- #542 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Akari
Akari is a Japanese name that means “light, brightness”.
Akari is a Japanese name meaning light or brightness, from the word akari, a lamp or a glow of light. It can be written in hiragana or with various kanji that give nuances such as bright or clear. It is used for both boys and girls, though it is more common for girls in Japan. It is pronounced ah-KAH-ree, with a light, even stress in Japanese. The name has a bright, cheerful sound and is easy for English speakers to say. It fits alongside other Japanese names such as Hana and Aoi.
Popularity over time
Akari first appears in US Social Security records in 2002. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 1 different years, starting in 2025. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #542, and its highest count, 554 babies. Use has grown 2816% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #5,745 in 2010 and #542 in 2025. Of the 1,278 US boys named Akari since records began, 74% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 266 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Jream, Rio, Tru, Ocean, and Campbell.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Akari ranked highest in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | #157 | 20 |
| Louisiana | #253 | 20 |
| Alabama | #260 | 21 |
| Maryland | #268 | 20 |
| South Carolina | #311 | 17 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Akari is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 44% of US babies named Akari were girls and 56% were boys.
Akari is usually pronounced ah-KAH-ree, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-ri”.
Middle names for Akari
A few middle names that flow with Akari: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Akari
Similar names
Amari Unisex
uh-MAH-ree
American (modern coinage)
#185
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kuh-MAHR-ee
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Nori Girl
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mih-DOR-ee
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rare
Kaori Girl
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Dmitri Boy
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Lists that include Akari
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Akari mean?
Akari is a Japanese name that means “light, brightness”.
What is the origin of the name Akari?
Akari has Japanese roots. Akari is a Japanese name meaning light or brightness, from the word akari, a lamp or a glow of light.
Is Akari a popular name?
Yes. Akari ranked #542 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Akari a boy or girl name?
Akari is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 44% of US babies named Akari were girls and 56% were boys.
How do you pronounce Akari?
Akari is usually pronounced ah-KAH-ree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings