Akira (あきら, アキラ) is a common Japanese given name. There are several kanji for Akira. A popular kanji is 明 which means "bright", "intelligent", or "clear". Though Akira is normally used to name males, it can be a female name as well.
Unrelated names with similar pronunciations occur in other cultures. In Scotland it is an anglicized female version of the Scottish male name Acair, meaning "anchor". Akira is also an Indian female name derived from Sanskrit meaning "graceful strength". Akira (Thai: อาคิรา, อาคีรา, อาคีระ) is also a unisex name in Thai meaning 'the sun' or 'sunlight'.