UK name, mostly boys
Aki
A unisex Japanese name meaning "autumn, bright, shining".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 6 girls.
Aki is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Aki popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3990, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2021, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2011 to 2021. 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.
Aki is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Aki. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Aki ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2021, when 4 boys were registered as Aki.
- • Aki is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aki as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 53.8% of Aki registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3990
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2021
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Aki
In England and Wales birth records, Aki has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 53.8% of registrations are for boys and 46.2% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Aki registered for boys
- Ranked #3,990 in 2021
- 4 boys registered in 2021
- Peak: 2021 (4 births)
Aki registered for girls
- Ranked #5,730 in 2015
- 3 girls registered in 2015
- Peak: 2009 (3 births)
Meaning
What does Aki mean?
The name Aki has its origins in the Japanese language and culture. It is a gender-neutral name that can be given to both boys and girls. The word "aki" in Japanese means "autumn" or "fall," referring to the season of the year.
In ancient Japanese folklore and mythology, the autumnal season was associated with the harvest and a time of plenty. The name Aki was likely derived from this connection to the bountiful season, representing abundance, fertility, and the cycle of life.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aki can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese chronicle dating back to the early 8th century CE. The text mentions an individual named Aki no Kami, who was revered as a deity associated with the autumn harvest.
Throughout Japanese history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Aki. One such figure was Aki no Kiyomaro (733-799 CE), a renowned Buddhist monk and scholar who played a significant role in the establishment of Buddhism in Japan.
Another historical figure was Aki no Yasunori (1659-1736), a prominent samurai and daimyo (feudal lord) who governed the Akizuki Domain during the Edo period. He was known for his military prowess and leadership abilities.
In the realm of literature, Aki Morimoto (1888-1949) was a celebrated Japanese novelist and poet. Her works often explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
Moving into the modern era, Aki Kaurismäki (born 1957) is a Finnish film director and screenwriter renowned for his distinctive cinematic style and exploration of social issues. His films, such as "The Man Without a Past" and "Le Havre," have garnered international acclaim.
Lastly, Aki Isogawa (born 1964) is a prominent Australian fashion designer of Japanese descent. Her elegant and innovative designs have been showcased on runways around the world, and she has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the fashion industry.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Aki, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines, reflecting the diverse and enduring nature of this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Aki over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Aki in England and Wales, from 2009 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Aki, the clearest high point is 2021. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Aki by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aki 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 | #3990 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Aki
- 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
Aki: questions and answers
How popular is the name Aki in the UK right now?
In 2021, Aki was ranked #3990 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Aki most popular?
The peak year on record was 2021, with 4 babies registered as Aki in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Aki?
A unisex Japanese name meaning "autumn, bright, shining".
How many people are called Aki in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Aki across the 2 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.