Sakai
Primarily a boy's name of Japanese origin with 423 recorded births. Also given to 90 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A member of a certain people of Malaya.
Sakai is a boy's and girl's baby name of Japanese origin, from the Japanese place name and surname Sakai, meaning 'boundary' or 'border.' The city of Sakai in Osaka Prefecture has a rich history as a free merchant city during Japan's medieval period. As a given name, it carries historical depth and a clean, modern Japanese aesthetic.
EtymologyShow more
Sakai is cataloged under the Japanese naming tradition. Japanese names are typically composed of kanji characters, each contributing meaning — the same pronunciation can carry entirely different meanings depending on the characters chosen.
In the U.S., Sakai has been recorded as a boy's name since 1998, with 423 total births. Browse the Japanese names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Sakai climbed 5037 spots in the last 20 years — from #7422 to #2385.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 214 | #3199 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 109 | #8637 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 90 | #8153 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 10 | #11144 | — |
The Story of Sakai
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Sakai is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Sakai are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Sakai?
Only about 1 in every 61,017 babies born in 2024 was named Sakai — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1998, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 214 births that decade.
Sakai by the numbers
- Would fill 9 school buses
- Meeting one Sakai per day would take 1.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(26 years, 1998–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 59 | #2385 |
| 2023 | 49 | #2683 |
| 2022 | 57 | #2460 |
| 2021 | 25 | #4214 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4252 |
| 2019 | 21 | #4776 |
| 2018 | 10 | #8044 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9532 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11875 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13686 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11861 |
| 2013 | 12 | #6943 |
| 2012 | 10 | #8030 |
| 2011 | 14 | #6193 |
| 2010 | 17 | #5430 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6743 |
| 2008 | 11 | #7609 |
| 2007 | 6 | #12090 |
| 2006 | 14 | #6035 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5526 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Sakai as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Sakai has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 90 births since 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sakai a boy's or girl's name?
When was Sakai most popular?
How popular is the name Sakai?
Can Sakai be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1998–2024