Sakae
Primarily a boy's name of Japanese origin with 58 recorded births. Also given to 57 girls.
Meaning & Origin
When Sakae hit its peak of 10 births in 1922, American naming still drew heavily from family heritage, religious tradition, and the cultural norms of the time.
Today, Sakae reads as a vintage revival candidate — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Sakae is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Sakae is a boy's and girl's baby name of Japanese origin, written with kanji such as sakae (栄, meaning 'glory, prosperity, flourishing'). The name evokes growth, abundance, and the blossoming of life. It is a traditional Japanese name for boys, suggesting a life of honor and success.
Graceful and optimistic, Sakae is a name that aspires to the best that life can offer — a quiet, powerful blessing.
EtymologyShow more
Sakae is built from 5 letters and one syllable — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Japanese naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Sakae creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sakae has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 40 | #3575 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 18 | #4186 | — |
The Story of Sakae
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1922, Sakae is a name steeped in history. Boys named Sakae are most likely born between 1917 and 1926.
How rare is Sakae?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Sakae is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, peaked in the 1920s with 40 births that decade.
Sakae by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 1917–1926)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 8 | #3337 |
| 1924 | 7 | #3802 |
| 1923 | 10 | #2908 |
| 1922 | 10 | #2971 |
| 1920 | 5 | #4859 |
| 1919 | 5 | #4691 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4699 |
| 1917 | 8 | #3167 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sakae as a Girl's Name
Sakae is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 57 recorded births since 1914.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sakae a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sakae most popular?
How popular is the name Sakae?
Can Sakae be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–1926