UK boy's name
Jiro
Of Japanese origin meaning "second son".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Jiro is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Jiro popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4747, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2015 to 2015. 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.
Jiro is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Jiro. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Jiro ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2015, when 3 boys were registered as Jiro.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Jiro as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4747
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
2015
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Jiro mean?
The name Jiro has its roots in Japanese culture, originating from the combination of the words "ji" meaning "second" and "ro" meaning "son." This suggests that the name was initially given to second-born sons. Its earliest known usage dates back to the Heian period in Japan, spanning from 794 to 1185 AD.
In Japanese folklore and literature, Jiro has made several appearances. One notable example is the Kamakura-period tale of "The Tale of the Heike," where a character named Jiro Kokushi is mentioned. This work, written in the early 13th century, provides insight into the use of the name during that era.
The first recorded instance of a famous individual bearing the name Jiro was Jiro Tsunayoshi, a Japanese calligrapher who lived from 1558 to 1627. He was renowned for his mastery of the art form and his influential works.
Another prominent figure was Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese aeronautical engineer born in 1903 and best known for designing the iconic Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft used during World War II. His contributions to aviation design were significant, and he is widely regarded as one of Japan's most accomplished engineers.
In the realm of cinema, Jiro Horikoshi's life and work were the subject of the acclaimed 2013 animated film "The Wind Rises," directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. This film brought renewed attention to the name and its historical significance.
Moving to the modern era, Jiro Ono, born in 1925, is a celebrated sushi chef and owner of the renowned Sukiyabashi Jiro restaurant in Tokyo. His dedication to perfecting the art of sushi has earned him global recognition, including being featured in the documentary film "Jiro Dreams of Sushi."
Another noteworthy individual is Jiro Kawakita, a Japanese engineer and inventor born in 1942. He is best known for developing the Kawakita Jiro method, a structured approach to problem-solving and idea generation widely used in various industries.
These examples showcase the enduring presence of the name Jiro throughout Japanese history, spanning various fields and eras. While its origins can be traced back to the Heian period, the name continues to carry cultural significance and has been borne by influential figures across different disciplines.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Jiro by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Jiro 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4747 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Jiro
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Jiro: questions and answers
How popular is the name Jiro in the UK right now?
In 2015, Jiro was ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Jiro most popular?
The peak year on record was 2015, with 3 babies registered as Jiro in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Jiro?
Of Japanese origin meaning "second son".
How many people are called Jiro in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Jiro across the 1 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.