"cooked rice, meal"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
Gohan
Does Gohan flow with your last name?
Named after a legend — the half-Saiyan prodigy
Japanese
American
Anime fan communities
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Meaning & Origin
"enlightened rice (kanji: 悟飯)"
Origin: Japanese kanji
Language: Japanese
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with Dragon Ball Z character — may draw unexpected attention from anime fans
- Means 'cooked rice' in Japanese, which some may find awkward
The Story of Gohan
Gohan (ご飯) is a Japanese word meaning 'cooked rice' or 'meal' — a staple of Japanese daily life so fundamental it became synonymous with food itself. As a character name in Dragon Ball Z, Akira Toriyama named Son Gohan after the Japanese word for rice, continuing the series' food-naming tradition (Goku = black rice, Vegeta = vegetable, Piccolo = piccolo pepper). The character Gohan became one of the most beloved in anime history.
Gohan as a given name in Western countries is almost entirely driven by Dragon Ball Z fandom. The character Son Gohan is the half-Saiyan son of Goku, depicted as a prodigy who eventually surpasses his father. Parents who grew up watching DBZ in the 1990s and 2000s are now naming their children after beloved characters.
In Japanese culture, gohan's role as sustenance makes it deeply connected to home, family, and care. The Dragon Ball Z character is one of the most recognizable in all of anime — his power-up transformations became iconic moments in animation history.
Historical Record
Gohan first appeared in US Social Security records in 2000.
Over 545 babies have been named Gohan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gohan is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,450 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gohan's name means 'cooked rice' in Japanese, part of Dragon Ball's food-naming tradition
- Son Gohan is described as the character who surpasses his father Goku — a rarity in shonen anime
- Dragon Ball Z is one of the top-selling manga series in history with over 260 million copies sold
Gohan in Other Languages
English
Gohan
Spanish
Gohan
Japanese
ご飯 / 悟飯
Popularity Over Time
#2,450
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gohan
S
Son Gohan Fictional
Other
Half-Saiyan protagonist of Dragon Ball Z, son of Goku, who becomes the most powerful fighter in the series
S
Son Gohan (grandfather) Fictional
Other
Goku's adoptive grandfather in Dragon Ball, a skilled martial artist who raised young Goku
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,450
- Total SSA Count
- 56
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese American Anime fan communities
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Go
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gohan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gohan
What does the name Gohan mean?
"cooked rice, meal" (from Japanese). "enlightened rice (kanji: 悟飯)" (from Japanese kanji). Gohan (ご飯) is a Japanese word meaning 'cooked rice' or 'meal' — a staple of Japanese daily life so fundamental it became synonymous with food itself. As a character name in Dragon Ball Z, Akira Toriyama named Son Gohan after the Japanese word for rice, continuing the series' food-naming tradition (Goku = black rice, Vegeta = vegetable, Piccolo = piccolo pepper). The character Gohan became one of the most beloved in anime history.
What is the origin of the name Gohan?
Gohan has Japanese, Japanese kanji, American, and Anime fan communities origins. In Japanese, it means "cooked rice, meal". In Japanese kanji, it means "enlightened rice (kanji: 悟飯)".
Is Gohan a boy or girl name?
Gohan is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Gohan?
Gohan is currently ranked #2450 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Gohan?
Popular middle name pairings include Gohan Ray, Gohan James, Gohan Lee, Gohan Kai, Gohan Ren, and Gohan Zane.
What are good sibling names for Gohan?
Names that pair well with Gohan as siblings include Goten, Trunks, Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, Pan, and Bulla.
How many syllables does Gohan have?
Gohan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Gohan a common or rare name?
Gohan is an uncommon name, ranked #2450 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Gohan
Gohan is a boy name with Japanese, American, and Anime fan communities origins . The name means "cooked rice, meal" in Japanese .
Gohan is currently ranked #2,450 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gohan has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Gohan include Go. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis