MallowbyNames

Noboru

noh-boh-roo · Ascend, climb, or rise (from Japanese verb noboru).

Peak popularity
1920
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Noboru since 1912

Babies named Noboru per year in U.S. Social Security records.

112334192019602000Most births 1920Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s147
1920s260
1930s72
1940s5
1950s0
1960s0
1970s0
1980s0
1990s0
2000s0
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Noboru is a Japanese masculine name that directly translates to 'ascend' or 'rise,' drawn from the verb noboru. According to U.S. Social Security records, the name first appeared in 1912 and reached its peak popularity in 1920, though it has not placed in the national rankings in recent decades. Its trajectory is described as stable, indicating consistent but low-level usage over time. The name's top states are not recorded, reflecting its rare occurrence in American birth data. For families seeking a traditional Japanese name with a strong, uplifting meaning, Noboru offers a classic option that connects to a heritage of aspirational naming.

Noboru (昇, 登, 上) derives from the Japanese verb noboru, meaning 'to ascend, climb, rise.' As a masculine given name, it has been used since at least the early 20th century. The name may be written with various kanji characters that carry the same or related meanings, such as 昇 (ascend) or 登 (climb). It enjoyed its peak popularity in the 1920s in Japan and remains a classic, though less common, choice.

Sibling names for Noboru

Names that share Noboru's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Noboru, our favorite little boy.

N is for Noboru…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Noboru's letter becomes Noboru's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Noboru's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Noboru mean?
Noboru means 'ascend' or 'rise,' derived from the Japanese verb noboru (昇る).
How popular is the name Noboru?
Noboru has not ranked in the U.S. Social Security Administration's top 1,000 names in recent years. Its peak recorded year in the SSA data was 1920, with no data available for 2025 or for a 1-in-N incidence.
Is Noboru a boy's name or a girl's name?
Noboru is traditionally a masculine given name in Japan.