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Goku
Pronounced GOH-koo /ˈɡoʊ.kuː/Medium
Meaning: Goku is the name of the hero Son Goku from the anime/manga Dragon Ball — a Japanese reading (Gokuu) tied to 'aware of emptiness' or 'sky,' itself echoing the Monkey King Sun Wukong. Used as a pop-culture name, which we note.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Goku is best known as Son Goku, the hero of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball — a Japanese name (Gokuu) tied to 'aware of emptiness' or 'sky,' itself echoing the Monkey King Sun Wukong. It reads as a bold, spirited pop-culture pick, which we note (said 'GOH-koo').
In the U.S. it appears only rarely for boys. Rare, spirited, and pop-culture.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Goku mean?
Goku is the hero of Dragon Ball; the Japanese name (Gokuu) is tied to 'aware of emptiness/sky.' It's a pop-culture pick, which we note.
How do you pronounce Goku?
It's said GOH-koo /ˈɡoʊ.kuː/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Goku a boy or girl name?
Goku is used as a boy's name, after the Dragon Ball hero.
How popular is Goku?
Goku is a rare name for boys in the U.S.