Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Raiden
BoyJapanese· “thunder and lightning”
- Meaning
- thunder and lightning
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- RY-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #432
- US babies 2025
- 739
- Best rank
- #353 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Raiden
Raiden is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “thunder and lightning”.
Raiden comes from a Japanese word meaning "thunder and lightning", written with the characters for thunder and electricity. Raijin, the Japanese god of thunder, is sometimes called by this name, and Raiden Tameemon, a sumo wrestler of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, is remembered as one of the greatest in the sport's history. Many English speakers know the name from Raiden, the thunder god character in the Mortal Kombat video games. In the United States Raiden has grown as a given name partly because it rhymes with Aiden and Jayden. It feels bold and energetic.
Popularity over time
Raiden first appears in US Social Security records in 1993. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 19 different years, starting in 2007. Its best national rank was #353 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 935 babies. In 2025, 739 babies were named Raiden, and it ranked #432 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,566 in 2000, #639 in 2010, and #432 in 2025. Of the 12,681 US boys named Raiden since records began, 49% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 4,721 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kylian, Lawson, Wilder, Zayne, and Finnegan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Raiden ranked highest in Hawaii, Alaska, and Oklahoma.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #85 | 11 |
| Alaska | #189 | 5 |
| Oklahoma | #260 | 19 |
| Washington | #266 | 29 |
| Kentucky | #277 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Raiden over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Raiden is usually pronounced RY-duhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-en”.
Middle names for Raiden
A few middle names that flow with Raiden: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raiden
Similar names
Jalen Boy
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Brayden Boy
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Ayden Boy
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Jaden Boy
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Kaden Boy
KAY-dihn
“modern name; possibly from an Irish surname” · American (modern coinage)
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Kaiden Boy
KAY-duhn
“modern form of Caden” · American (modern coinage)
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Lists that include Raiden
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raiden mean?
Raiden is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “thunder and lightning”.
What is the origin of the name Raiden?
Raiden has Japanese roots. Raiden comes from a Japanese word meaning "thunder and lightning", written with the characters for thunder and electricity.
Is Raiden a popular name?
Yes. Raiden ranked #432 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Raiden a boy or girl name?
Raiden is mainly a boy's name. About 96% of US babies named Raiden over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Raiden?
Raiden is usually pronounced RY-duhn. 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