Issei

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-say /ˈiː.seɪ/Medium

Meaning: Issei is a Japanese given name commonly written with characters for 'one' and 'generation' or 'life,' read as 'first-born' or 'first generation.' The same word names the first generation of Japanese emigrants abroad, a history we note with respect.Medium

In 30 seconds: Issei is a Japanese name for a first-born son (said 'EE-say') — clean, short, and full of quiet significance.

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Origin HighJapanese

MeaningIssei is a Japanese given name commonly written with characters for 'one' and 'generation' or 'life,' read as 'first-born' or 'first generation.' The same word names the first generation of Japanese emigrants abroad, a history we note with respect.

U.S. rank (2024)#12986 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 33

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

Issei is written in Japanese with characters for 'one' and 'generation' or 'life,' giving the sense of a first-born son. Beyond given-name use, Issei is the word for the first generation of Japanese emigrants — those who left Japan for the Americas — with Nisei and Sansei following. Both senses are living, which we note (said 'EE-say').

In the U.S. it is very rare, carried mostly by Japanese American families. Rare, spare, and meaningful.

Did you know? Issei also names the first generation of Japanese who emigrated abroad — the parents of the Nisei. As a given name it reads as 'first-born,' a meaning we note with respect (said 'EE-say').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Issei — Japanese given name 'first-born'; also first-generation emigrants

Variations

IsseyIchiroIsse

Nicknames

IsSei

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Haruki— a like modern Japanese pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Issei mean?

Issei is a Japanese name read as 'first-born son' or 'first generation.'

How do you pronounce Issei?

It's said EE-say /ˈiː.seɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Issei a boy or girl name?

Issei is a boy's name.

How popular is Issei?

Issei is very rare in the U.S., used chiefly by Japanese American families.