Koji
Meaning of Koji
Koji is a Japanese masculine name pronounced “koh-jee” (/koˌdʒi/) that combines succinctness with a variety of nuanced meanings, depending on the chosen kanji. Common renderings include 光 (kō, “light”) paired with 二 (ji, “second”) to suggest “second light,” or 幸 (kō, “happiness”) with 児 (ji, “child”) for “fortunate child.” In the United States, Koji has maintained a steady, if modest, presence in birth records—25 boys received the name in 2024, placing it at rank 899—reflecting its appeal among parents drawn to names that are brief yet rich in cultural resonance. The name’s international visibility has been further enhanced by figures such as Koji Kondo, the composer behind Super Mario’s iconic soundtrack.
Pronunciation
Japanese
- Pronunced as koh-jee (/koˌdʒi/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Koji
| Koji Igarashi is a Japanese video game creator named one of the top 100 game creators of all time by IGN in 2009. |
| Koji Kondo is a Japanese composer best known for creating iconic music for Nintendo's Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda games. |
| Koji Enokura was a Japanese painter and installation artist. |
| Koji Ishikawa is a Japanese children's book author and illustrator known for his creative work in design and publishing. |
| Koji Steven Sakai is an American screenwriter and producer known for The People I've Slept With and Chink. |
| Koji Sekimizu is a Japanese official who led the International Maritime Organization from 2012 to 2015 and served as Chancellor of the World Maritime University. |
| Koji Okajima is a retired Japanese pair skater and figure skating coach. |
| Koji Shima was a Japanese director, actor, and screenwriter. |
| Koji Watanabe is a former Japanese international tennis player who won four singles titles between 1966 and 1969. |
| Koji Toriumi is a Japanese footballer who plays centre back for JEF United Chiba. |
| Koji Nakano is a Japanese composer. |
| Koji Inada is a Japanese manga artist best known for co-creating the bestselling series Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. |
| Koji Tsuruoka is a Japanese diplomat who served as ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019. |
| Koji Hashimoto was a Japanese director and producer best known for the 1984 films Sayonara Jupiter and The Return of Godzilla. |
| Koji Yamamoto was a Japanese basketball player who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics. |
