Rising since 1997, #2,884 for boys today.
Popularity of Hiro since 1923
Babies named Hiro per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hiro's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 13 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 106 |
| 2010s | 441 |
| 2020s | 347 |
Meaning & origin
Hiro is a concise Japanese name that has appeared in U.S. birth records since 1923. It peaked in popularity in 2024 at rank 2,884, with approximately 1 in 39,723 boys receiving the name in 2025. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 1997, reflecting growing interest in short, internationally accessible names. Its strongest U.S. state is California, consistent with its Japanese heritage and the state's large Asian-American population. While individual kanji can change its meaning, common readings of Hiro include 'abundant,' 'generous,' 'wide,' and 'broad,' giving it a positive and open feel. Its rise in recent decades mirrors broader trends toward global names and shorter, punchier choices.
Hiro is a Japanese name that can be written with various kanji characters. The most common include 宏 (hiro, 'wide, broad'), 裕 (hiro, 'abundant, generous'), or 浩 (hiro, 'prosperous'). It is often used as a standalone name or as the first element in compound names like Hiroshi, Hiroko, or Hiroki. The name gained some international recognition through figures like Hirohito, emperor of Japan, but it remains a straightforward, well-liked choice in Japan for its positive connotations of abundance and breadth.
Where Hiro is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Hiro” around the world
Where Hiro lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Hiro
Names that share Hiro's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Yuki, Aiko, Miya, Rina, Suki, Ai, Akira, Emi, Ima, Keiko, Kimie, Kiyomi, Kyomi, Mariko, Riki, Yumi, Asuna, Chika, Chisa, Dai, Masa, Rika, Sachi, Sumi, Tamura, Akita, Aoki, Asuka, Fumi, Geisha, Kanna, Mei, Miyeko, Oyuki, Yori
Brothers: Kenji, Taro, Ryo, Kaito, Sora, Akai, Gohan, Jun, Kaizen, Kenzo, Koji, Kota, Maki, Raiden, Ronin, Ryu, Yoshi, Goku, Haruki, Maiko, Mori, Renji, Yamato
