Holding steady.
Popularity of Wataru since 1915
Babies named Wataru per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 22 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 8 |
| 1990s | 50 |
| 2000s | 16 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Wataru is a traditional Japanese boy's name first recorded in the United States in 1915, a time when Japanese immigration was slowly increasing. The name achieved its peak U.S. usage in 1919, though even then it remained rare and never cracked the top 1000. Its trajectory has been stable but extremely low-volume, with no documented top-state clusters because the name is so uncommon. Despite its rarity in the U.S., Wataru holds cultural weight in Japan, where it has been used for over a century. The name's simple phonetic structure and varied kanji meanings give it a flexible, nature-connected feel that appeals to families honoring Japanese heritage.
Wataru is a Japanese male name with multiple possible meanings depending on the kanji used. One common writing (渡) means 'to cross' or 'ferry', and another (和) means 'peace' or 'harmony'. It has been traditionally used in Japan, often as a standalone name or as part of longer names. The name saw its peak usage in Japan around the 1910s and 1920s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wata, Taru, Wa-chan
Sibling names for Wataru
Names that share Wataru's style, for a brother or sister.
