UK boy's name
Akai
A Japanese name meaning "red" or "bright red".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Akai is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Akai popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 6 births.
This profile covers 36 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2006 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 36 living people in the UK are called Akai. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Akai ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 6 boys were registered as Akai.
- • About 36 living people in the UK are estimated to have Akai as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4270
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2022
6 births
Estimated living
36
2026
Meaning
What does Akai mean?
The name Akai is of Japanese origin and is believed to have roots dating back to the 8th century CE. The word "akai" in Japanese means "red," and the name is thought to have been derived from this word, possibly referring to a person with reddish hair or complexion.
In ancient Japanese texts, such as the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, which are chronicles of early Japanese history and mythology, there are references to individuals with names that resemble "Akai." However, it is difficult to determine with certainty if these references are specifically related to the modern name.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Akai was a Japanese poet and scholar named Akai no Yasunori, who lived during the late Heian period (794-1185 CE). Akai no Yasunori was known for his contributions to the development of Japanese literature and poetry.
Another notable figure in Japanese history with the name Akai was Akai Toshikiyo (1644-1718), a renowned mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in Japan during the Edo period.
In the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals with the name Akai was Akai Naoko (1905-1981), a Japanese actress and singer who was a prominent figure in the early days of Japanese cinema. She appeared in numerous films and was widely celebrated for her talent and beauty.
Akai Tomio (1923-1990) was a Japanese writer and literary critic who gained recognition for his works exploring the human condition and the complexities of modern society. His novels and essays were widely read and admired by both critics and the general public.
Lastly, Akai Teruko (1936-2020) was a renowned Japanese ceramic artist who was celebrated for her intricate and beautiful works of pottery. Her pieces were exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and she received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the art of ceramics.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Akai over time
The chart below shows babies named Akai registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Akai, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Akai by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Akai was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3975 | 13 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4497 | 20 | 6 |
| 2000s | #4052 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Akai
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Akai: questions and answers
How popular is the name Akai in the UK right now?
In 2024, Akai was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Akai most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 6 babies registered as Akai in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Akai?
A Japanese name meaning "red" or "bright red".
How many people are called Akai in the UK?
A total of 36 babies have been registered as Akai across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.