The baby name Kotoku is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced koh-toh-koo (IPA: /ko.to.ku/; sometimes pronounced with a long first vowel as /koː.to.ku/).
Kotoku is Japanese in Origin.
The baby name Kotoku is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced koh-toh-koo (IPA: /ko.to.ku/; sometimes pronounced with a long first vowel as /koː.to.ku/).
Kotoku is Japanese in Origin.
Kotoku is a Japanese masculine name and occasional surname whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen. Common spellings include Kōtoku (with macron), Kotoku, Kohtoku, and Koutoku. Notable meanings include “filial virtue” (孝徳) and “fortunate virtue” (幸徳), combining characters for filial piety or good fortune with virtue. The name is historically prominent through Emperor Kōtoku (r. 645–654), associated with the Taika reforms, and the Meiji-era thinker Kōtoku Shūsui. It also survives in place and temple names, such as Kōtoku-in in Kamakura.
As a given name, Kotoku is rare in contemporary Japan and tends to evoke a classical, principled aura. Outside Japan, Kotoku also appears independently in West Africa as a toponym and surname among Akan-speaking communities (e.g., Akyem Kotoku in Ghana), where it carries an unrelated local etymology; specific meanings can vary by dialect and lineage.
Kotoku is seldom given. We count 12 recorded uses of it across 4 countries.
| Kōtoku Kōtoku was the 36th emperor of Japan, reigning from 645 to 654. He is most famous for implementing the Taika Reforms, which aimed to centralize and strengthen the imperial government. His reign marked significant political and cultural changes in Japan. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GH | 0 | #248 | 1 | 5,396 | |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #302 | 2 | 7,909 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #355 | 7 | 8,138 |
| RU | Boys | 0 | #526 | 1 | 12,621 |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #1,001 | 1 | 16,906 |
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