Akihiko

Akihiko is a masculine Japanese given name. It is formed from elements that can be written with different kanji, and its meaning varies with the characters used. The first syllable “aki” can be rendered as bright or autumn, while “hiko” is commonly read with the character 彦, meaning “boy” or “prince.” Thus, possible renderings include “bright prince” or “autumn prince.”

Notable people with the name include Akihiko Hoshide (星出彰彦), a Japanese engineer and astronaut with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency who has flown to the International Space Station on multiple missions. Akihiko Yoshida (吉田明彦) is a renowned video game artist and designer at Square Enix, known for work on titles such as Final Fantasy Tactics and other role-playing games.

In fiction, Akihiko is used for several characters, including Akihiko Sanada, a member of SEES in Persona 3, and Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of a virtual world in Sword Art Online.

The name is primarily a given name in Japan and is not commonly used as a surname. It remains in regular use today and has gained recognition outside Japan through its bearers in real life and popular media.