Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Shota since 1988
Babies named Shota per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 117 |
| 2000s | 92 |
| 2010s | 81 |
| 2020s | 21 |
Meaning & origin
Shota is a Japanese masculine name that emerged in U.S. records in 1988 and reached its highest rank (8,209) in 1996, when it was given to 33 baby boys. Since then, it has maintained a stable but low frequency; in 2025, it ranked 12,008, occurring at a rate of about 1 in 341,615 births. Although no U.S. state has reported the name frequently enough to appear in top state lists, it remains a recognizable choice in Japan and Georgia. Shota's dual etymology reflects both Japanese kanji compounds meaning 'soaring' or 'correct' and a Georgian origin linked to Shotia. Parents choosing Shota today often appreciate its cross-cultural appeal and concise, two-syllable sound.
Shota is a Japanese masculine name that can be written with various kanji combinations, often including 翔 (shō, meaning 'to soar' or 'fly') and 太 (ta, 'big' or 'thick'). The name may also be composed with 正 (shō, 'correct') or 将 (shō, 'commander'). In Georgia, Shota is derived from Shotia, a short form of the name Shotari, possibly meaning 'thousand years' in Georgian. The Japanese name became more common in the late 20th century.
Sibling names for Shota
Names that share Shota's style, for a brother or sister.
