Holding steady.
Popularity of Masao since 1907
Babies named Masao per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 10 |
| 1910s | 400 |
| 1920s | 453 |
| 1930s | 114 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 18 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Masao is a Japanese masculine name that entered U.S. naming records in 1907, during a period of increased immigration from Japan. It reached its peak popularity in 1918, when it was most frequently recorded. The name's trajectory has been stable since the 1920s, never breaking into the top rankings and remaining a rare but consistent choice. With no recent resurgence, Masao remains an uncommon name in the United States, reflecting its enduring but niche appeal among families honoring Japanese heritage.
Masao is a Japanese masculine name typically formed with kanji such as 正 (masa, 'right, correct') and 男 (o, 'man'), or alternatively 昌 (masa, 'prosperity') and 夫 (o, 'husband'). The name has been in use since at least the early 20th century and was particularly common in the 1910s, peaking in 1918.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Masa, Ma-chan
Sibling names for Masao
Names that share Masao's style, for a brother or sister.
