Kenji vs Liam

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kenji

Boy #853 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strong, vigorous second son"

Origin: Japanese (健二)

Cultural Roots

Japanese Japanese-American Asian-American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#853
Total SSA Count
283
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ken, Keni

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kenji →

Popularity Comparison

Kenji Rank #853
Liam Rank #1

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 vs #853 for Kenji.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kenji ___

  • Kenji Alexander
  • Kenji James
  • Kenji Michael
  • Kenji Thomas
  • Kenji William
  • Kenji Ryu

Liam ___

  • Liam James
  • Liam Alexander
  • Liam Thomas
  • Liam Michael
  • Liam Patrick
  • Liam Joseph

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kenji

Hiro Ryu Akira Yuki Hana

If you choose Liam

Olivia Emma Noah Charlotte Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kenji or Liam more popular?

Liam is more popular, ranked #1 compared to Kenji at #853 in the United States.

What do Kenji and Liam mean?

Kenji means "strong, vigorous second son" (Japanese (健二) origin). Liam means "strong-willed warrior" (Irish origin).

Are Kenji and Liam boy or girl names?

Kenji is primarily a boy name. Liam is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Kenji ← Full profile: Liam Browse all baby names