Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi is a masculine Japanese given name. The meaning of the name varies with the kanji characters used to write it, and it is commonly associated with positive attributes such as clarity, purity, or righteousness. The name is primarily used in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad.

In Japanese, Kiyoshi can be written with different kanji combinations, each producing a distinct nuance. Because of this, the name does not have a single fixed meaning. It has been a relatively common given name in the 20th and 21st centuries and appears across various generations.

Notable people with the given name include Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a Japanese film director known for works such as Cure (1997) and Pulse (2001). Another prominent bearer is Kiyoshi Atsumi, a celebrated actor famous for portraying the character Torajirō Kuruma in the Otoko wa Tsurai yo film series. These figures illustrate the name’s use across contemporary Japanese arts and entertainment.

See also, for related uses, the given-name form in other languages or the broader category of Japanese male given names. As with many Japanese names, Kiyoshi’s meaning and perception can vary depending on regional naming practices and personal family kanji choices.