Inari

♂ Boy

Pronounced ee-NAH-ree /iˈnɑ.ri/Medium

Meaning: From the Japanese Inari, 'carrying rice; rice load' (ina, 'rice', + ri, linked to 'to carry'); the Shinto deity of rice, fertility, prosperity, and foxes; routes layered; we note the deityLow

In 30 seconds: Carrying rice; rice load: Inari is the Japanese deity of rice and foxes. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'ee-NAH-ree'). We note the deity.

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Origin LowJapanese

MeaningFrom the Japanese Inari, 'carrying rice; rice load' (ina, 'rice', + ri, linked to 'to carry'); the Shinto deity of rice, fertility, prosperity, and foxes; routes layered; we note the deity

U.S. rank (2025)#10075 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 30

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

Inari comes from the Japanese Inari, 'carrying rice; rice load' (ina, 'rice', + ri, linked to 'to carry'); the Shinto deity of rice and foxes (routes layered, which we note the deity). A lyrical, classic name (said 'ee-NAH-ree').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely as a mythology name. Rare, carrying-rice at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Inari is 'carrying rice; rice load' in Japanese (ina, 'rice') — the Shinto deity of rice, fertility, and foxes, whose shrines are marked by fox statues — a lyrical, storied name (the routes are layered, which we note the deity; said 'ee-NAH-ree').

Overall data confidence 44%

References — Inari — Japanese mythology; deity; routes layered

Variations

Oinari

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Inari…

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Imari— another Japanese name

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Ahkari— a similarly popular pick

Akhari— a fellow Japanese choice

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Inari mean?

Inari is Japanese for 'carrying rice; rice load' (ina, 'rice'); the Shinto deity of rice and foxes. The routes are layered. We note the deity.

How do you pronounce Inari?

It's said ee-NAH-ree /iˈnɑ.ri/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Inari a boy or girl name?

Inari is used for both; here it is listed as a boy's name (the deity is depicted as male, female, or androgynous).

How popular is Inari?

Inari is a very rare name in the U.S.