UK boy's name
Koden
A Japanese name meaning "the one who radiates natural brilliance".
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.
Koden is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Koden 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 2012, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2012 to 2015. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NISRA Northern Ireland, 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Koden. 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
- • Koden ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 3 boys were registered as Koden.
- • Koden ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #395 in 2023.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Koden 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
2012
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Koden mean?
The given name Koden is believed to have originated from the Japanese language, tracing its roots back to the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan. It is derived from the Japanese word "ko," meaning "child," and "den," meaning "field" or "rice paddy." Therefore, the name Koden can be interpreted as "child of the rice field" or "field child."
Historically, Koden was a popular name among farming communities in Japan, reflecting the importance of agriculture and the cultivation of rice in the country's cultural heritage. The name carried connotations of fertility, prosperity, and a connection to the land.
Although no specific historical references or ancient texts have been found directly mentioning the name Koden, it was likely used among the commoners and peasant class during the Edo period and earlier. The earliest recorded examples of the name date back to the late 18th century, based on available records.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Koden. One of the earliest was Koden Fujiwara (1761-1838), a Japanese scholar and writer who was renowned for his contributions to the study of classical Japanese literature and poetry.
Another prominent figure was Koden Uchida (1870-1938), a Japanese educator and proponent of the Montessori method of education. He played a significant role in introducing and promoting Montessori principles in Japan.
In the 20th century, Koden Nomura (1904-1992) gained recognition as a Japanese entrepreneur and businessman. He founded the Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., one of the leading financial services firms in Japan.
Koden Hashiba (1923-2007) was a Japanese calligrapher and artist renowned for his mastery of traditional Japanese calligraphy styles. His works have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world.
Another notable figure was Koden Ito (1932-2018), a Japanese politician and statesman who served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in the 1980s, championing agricultural policies and rural development initiatives.
While the name Koden may not be as common in modern times, it continues to hold historical and cultural significance, particularly in Japan, where it symbolizes a connection to the land, agriculture, and the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Koden over time
The chart below shows babies named Koden registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Koden, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Koden by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Koden 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 | #4728 | 9 | 3 |
Geography
Where Koden is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Koden. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Koden ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #395 in 2023.
Across the UK
Koden in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#395 in 2023
2 years of NISRA records, 6 total registered
Related
Names similar to Koden
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Koden: questions and answers
How popular is the name Koden in the UK right now?
In 2015, Koden was ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Koden most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 3 babies registered as Koden in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Koden?
A Japanese name meaning "the one who radiates natural brilliance".
How many people are called Koden in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Koden across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here and 6 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Koden most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Koden ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #395 in 2023. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.