Isamu

Isamu is a masculine given name of Japanese origin. The most common kanji representation is 勇, meaning bravery or courage, though many other kanji combinations exist that convey different nuances. Because Japanese names can be written with various characters, the precise meaning of Isamu can vary depending on the chosen kanji, and it can also be written in kana (いさむ).

In Japan, Isamu has been used for centuries and continues to be used, though it is less common among newborns in contemporary times. The name can be found in Japanese communities abroad as well, where it may carry familiar cultural associations and connotations of valor or resolve.

Notable individuals with the given name include Isamu Noguchi (野口 勇, 1904–1988), a Japanese American sculptor and designer whose work bridged Eastern and Western aesthetics. Another prominent figure is Isamu Akasaki (赤崎 勇, 1929–2021), a Japanese engineer and physicist who co-invented the blue light-emitting diode and shared the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for this achievement, contributing to energy-efficient lighting technology.