Save Gender Masculine Usage Japanese Scripts 研介, 研助, 健介, 健助, etc.(Japanese Kanji) Pronounced Pron. KEN-SKEH [key] Meaning & History From Japanese 研 (ken) meaning "study, sharpen" or 健 (ken) meaning "healthy, strong" combined with 介 (suke) meaning "forerunner, herald". Other kanji combinations can be used.