Meaning & Origin
Seiji (written in various kanji combinations such as 誠二, 誠治, 清二, 聖二, among others) is a masculine Japanese given name. Its meaning derives from the elements used in its kanji composition, primarily combining a character like 誠 (sei) meaning "sincere, honest, true" or 精 (sei) meaning "pure, refined" with a second character such as 二 (ji) meaning "two" or 司 (ji) meaning "officer, boss". Many other kanji combinations are possible, giving the name a range of interpretations depending on the parents' intentions.
Notable Bearers
Several notable individuals bear the name Seiji, spanning various fields. In sports, Seiji Aochi (青地 清二, 1942–2008) was a ski jumper who competed internationally for Japan. Seiji Ara (荒 聖治, born 1974) is a professional racing driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Seiji Kameda (亀田 誠治, born 1964) is a well-known music producer and bassist, recognized for his work with the band Tokyo Jihen. In the arts, Seiji Fukushi (福士 誠治, born 1983) is a stage and film actor, while Seiji Hisamatsu (久松 静児, 1912–1990) directed numerous Japanese films in the mid-20th century.
In politics, Seiji Hagiwara (萩原 誠司, born 1956) has served in the House of Councillors. Seiji Chiba (千葉 誠治, born 1964) is a film director and screenwriter. The name also appears in adjacent fields: Seiji Honda (本田 征治, born 1976) was a footballer; Seiji Hirao (平尾 誠二, born 1963) played rugby union for the Japanese national team.
Cultural Context
As a common Japanese nanori (given name) composed of two kanji, Seiji reflects the traditional practice of combining meaningful characters to impart virtues or aspirations. The reading "sei-ji" follows typical Japanese on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) patterns, though some individuals may use this name in other contexts.
Meaning: Varies by kanji; common interpretations include "sincere", "pure", "two", or "officer"
Origin: Japanese
Type: Masculine given name
Usage: Japan