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Raiden

♂ Boy

Pronounced RY-den /ˈraɪ.dən/High

Meaning: From Japanese Raijin (thunder god), combining rai meaning thunder and den or jin meaning lightning or spirit; Raiden is a modern English-language rendering of this deity nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Raiden is a dramatic Japanese-inspired name meaning 'thunder and lightning' — the name of the Shinto god of storms — made famous to Western audiences through the Mortal Kombat franchise.
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Origin HighJapanese
MeaningFrom Japanese Raijin (thunder god), combining rai meaning thunder and den or jin meaning lightning or spirit; Raiden is a modern English-language rendering of this deity name
U.S. rank (2025)#432 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births739 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 12,672

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219932025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Raiden derives from Japanese Raijin (thunder god), combining rai (thunder) and jin (god, spirit). The character Raiden in the Mortal Kombat video game series, introduced in 1992, brought the name to Western audiences.

Raiden as a given name in the United States appears predominantly post-2000, driven by video game and anime culture. It follows the broader American interest in Japanese-inspired names with powerful meanings.

Did you know? Raiden (also Raijin) is the Japanese god of thunder and lightning, depicted with drums on his back and a fierce expression — one of the most iconic figures in Japanese mythology and popular culture.
Overall data confidence 87%
U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

RaydenRaden

Nicknames

Rai

Famous Bearers

  • ★Raiden (Mortal Kombat) (fictional, debuted 1992)
    Thunder god character in the Mortal Kombat video game franchise; protector of Earthrealm.

If you like Raiden…

Zephyr— shares the elemental atmospheric deity-name spirit and the same bold, mythological energy
Storm— shares the dramatic weather-power word-name appeal
Thor— another thunder deity name with the same mythological power, from Norse tradition
Orion— fellow mythological celestial name with the same bold, larger-than-life character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Raiden mean?

Raiden means thunder and lightning from Japanese, derived from the Shinto thunder god Raijin.

How do you pronounce Raiden?

It is said RY-den /ˈraɪ.dən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Raiden from Mortal Kombat?

Yes, Raiden is a central character in Mortal Kombat since 1992, though the name comes from Japanese mythology.

Is Raiden a popular name?

Raiden has been rising in the U.S. since the 2000s, driven by video game and anime culture.