Yoshi is a Japanese unisex name derived from several kanji characters with the reading yoshi. The most common meanings include yoshi (吉) meaning "good luck", yoshi (義) meaning "righteous", and yoshi (良) meaning "good, virtuous, respectable." Other kanji with the same reading may also be used. The name Yoshi is notable for its use as a personal name in Japan, but it gained widespread recognition in popular culture through the video game character created by Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Appearing first in Super Mario World (1990) for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Yoshi serves as a dinosaur-like steed for the brothers Mario and Luigi. This character belongs to a species also simply called Yoshis, and he has since become a beloved icon of the Mario franchise, appearing in spin-offs such as the Yoshi series, Mario Party, Mario Kart, and various sports and crossover games like Super Smash Bros. While the video game character is predominantly referred to with masculine he/him pronouns, the name Yoshi in Japanese culture is unisex. Cultural Context Yoshi represents a common Japanese masculine name element; it features prominently in numerous compounds. For instance, Yoshi is often a component in longer names, such as Yoshio, Yoshiko, or Kensuke. Like many Japanese names, Yoshi allows for many variations in spelling and connotation, making its exact meaning and gendering flexible. The character Yoshi has been so influential that his name transcends its origins. While in Japanese the pronunciation typically falls over two syllables (Yo-shi), the palatized English versions of his games coined a near-universal distinct articulation. However, as a personal name, usage remains markedly Japanese. Meaning: "good luck," "righteous," or "good virtuous".Origin: Japanese, derived from kanji characters such as 吉 (yosh-), 義 (yoshi), or 良 (yoshi).Type: first name, unisex.Usage region: Mainly Japan.Related name (Chinese By language): Yi – homophonic borrowing via written character 一 with shifted meaning.