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Home › Baby Names Directory › Sensei

Sensei

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Sensei

Pronounced SEN-say /ˈsɛn.seɪ/Medium

Meaning: Sensei is a Japanese word and honorific meaning 'teacher, master' - literally 'one born before' - used for teachers, doctors and mentors. It is a title rather than a traditional given name, which we state plainly.Low

In 30 seconds: Sensei is the Japanese word for 'teacher, master' - an honorific, not a traditional given name (said 'SEN-say'). We state that plainly.
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Origin LowJapanese
MeaningSensei is a Japanese word and honorific meaning 'teacher, master' - literally 'one born before' - used for teachers, doctors and mentors. It is a title rather than a traditional given name, which we state plainly.
U.S. rank (2023)#12008 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 29
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202220182023

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

As a boy's name, Sensei borrows the Japanese honorific for 'teacher, master.' It is a title rather than a traditional name, which we state plainly. A crisp two-beat name (said 'SEN-say').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely and reads as a bold word-name. Rare, striking, and modern.

Did you know? In Japanese, 'sensei' - literally 'one born before' - is a title of respect for teachers, doctors and masters. As a given name it is a modern borrowing of that word, which we note plainly (said 'SEN-say').
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Sensei — Japanese honorific 'teacher, master'; a title, not a traditional name

Variations

SensaiSenseiSensey

Nicknames

Sen

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sensei…

Kenji— a like Japanese boy's name
Haru— a like Japanese pick
Kaito— a like Japanese given name
Rei— a like short Japanese name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sensei mean?

Sensei is the Japanese word and honorific for 'teacher, master' (literally 'one born before'); as a name it borrows that title, which we state plainly.

How do you pronounce Sensei?

It's said SEN-say /ˈsɛn.seɪ/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Sensei a boy or girl name?

Sensei is used as a boys' name here.

How popular is Sensei?

Sensei is extremely rare in the U.S.

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