Hiroshi

BoyJapanese· “several meanings, including generous”

Meaning
several meanings, including generous
Origin
Japanese
Pronunciation
hih-ROH-shee
Syllables
3
US rank 2025
#10,063
US babies 2025
7
Best rank
#740 (1924)
Peak year
1924

Meaning and origin of Hiroshi

Hiroshi is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “several meanings, including generous”.

Hiroshi is a Japanese masculine name that can be written with many different kanji, so its meaning depends on the characters chosen. Common meanings include generous, widespread and prosperous. It has been one of the classic Japanese boys' names of the twentieth century. It is said hih-ROH-shee in English, while Japanese speakers say something closer to hee-ROH-shee. Hiro is a common nickname. The name is familiar in the US through Japanese American families.

Popularity over time

0255075100192019401960198020002020Peak 1924: 81
US babies named Hiroshi per year, 1880 to 2025

Hiroshi first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 11 different years, starting in 1915. Its best national rank was #740 in 1924, the same year it reached its highest count of 81 babies. In 2025, 7 babies were named Hiroshi, and it ranked #10,063 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.

Its national rank moved from #868 in 1920, #4,672 in 1980, #11,252 in 2010, and #10,063 in 2025. Of the 1,565 US boys named Hiroshi since records began, 39% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 276 babies. Since 2010, 231 more have been named Hiroshi.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Arvil, Crawford, Obie, Hosea, and Fernand.

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Hiroshi is usually pronounced hih-ROH-shee, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with H and ends in “-hi”.

Middle names for Hiroshi

A few middle names that flow with Hiroshi: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Hiroshi

Similar names

Malachi Boy
MAL-uh-ky
“my messenger” · Hebrew
#134
Akari Unisex
ah-KAH-ree
“light, brightness” · Japanese
#542
Masao Boy
mah-SAH-oh
“meaning depends on the kanji; often righteous man” · Japanese
rare
Bodhi Boy
BOH-dee
“awakening, enlightenment” · Sanskrit
#265
Rishi Boy
RIH-shee
“sage, seer” · Sanskrit
#1,059
Rei Unisex
RAY
“varies by Japanese characters” · Japanese
#5,364
Yuki Unisex
YOO-kee
“snow, or happiness” · Japanese
#5,399
Kobe Boy
KOH-bee
“from the Japanese city of Kobe” · Japanese
#519
Raiden Boy
RY-duhn
“thunder and lightning” · Japanese
#432
Ronin Boy
ROH-nihn
“masterless samurai” · Japanese
#504
Kenzo Boy
KEHN-zoh
“meaning depends on the kanji” · Japanese
#630
Kenji Boy
KEHN-jee
“meaning depends on the kanji used” · Japanese
#944

Lists that include Hiroshi

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hiroshi mean?

Hiroshi is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “several meanings, including generous”.

What is the origin of the name Hiroshi?

Hiroshi has Japanese roots. Hiroshi is a Japanese masculine name that can be written with many different kanji, so its meaning depends on the characters chosen.

Is Hiroshi a popular name?

Not especially. Hiroshi ranked #10,063 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Hiroshi a boy or girl name?

Hiroshi is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Hiroshi?

Hiroshi is usually pronounced hih-ROH-shee. 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