Kenkichi

Kenkichi is a masculine Japanese given name. It can be written with a variety of kanji characters, each producing a slightly different nuance. A common pattern ends with 吉, meaning "good fortune" or "auspicious," while the first character can be chosen to emphasize health, wisdom, or strength. Examples include 健吉 (healthy and auspicious), 賢吉 (wise and auspicious), 堅吉 (firm and auspicious), and 兼吉 (concurrently auspicious). The name can also be written in kana as けんきち.

In usage, Kenkichi has been used for boys in Japan since the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is associated with traditional or classic naming and may be found in historical records and in Japanese literature. In contemporary naming practice, it is less common, as trends shift toward shorter or more modern forms, though older generations may still carry the name.

Pronunciation remains Ken-kichi, with two moras in the given name portion. Like many Japanese names, the exact nuance depends on the kanji chosen, making several distinct but related meanings possible. In fiction, Kenkichi is sometimes employed to evoke a dependable, earnest, or elder-figure archetype due to its traditional sound.