Masa
Primarily a girl's name of Japanese origin with 497 recorded births. Also given to 12 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative form of Massa (“Chadic ethnic group”).
Masa is a girl's and boy's baby name of Japanese origin, meaning 'righteous' or 'correct,' a traditional Japanese virtue name. It is also used in other cultures as a short form of Tamasa or as a standalone name with its own gentle beauty.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Masa's final sounds are open, warm — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Masa follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Masa's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Masa has 24+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1919.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 232 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 191 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 63 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 6 | — |
The Story of Masa
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Masa is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Masa are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Masa?
Only about 1 in every 65,455 babies born in 2024 was named Masa — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1919, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2020s with 232 births that decade.
Masa by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Masa per day would take 1.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(24 years, 1919–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55 | #2995 |
| 2023 | 66 | #2663 |
| 2022 | 41 | #3745 |
| 2021 | 31 | #4470 |
| 2020 | 39 | #3762 |
| 2019 | 33 | #4311 |
| 2018 | 25 | #5270 |
| 2017 | 18 | #6714 |
| 2016 | 45 | #3501 |
| 2015 | 23 | #5772 |
| 2014 | 11 | #9944 |
| 2013 | 12 | #9414 |
| 2012 | 8 | #13017 |
| 2011 | 7 | #14295 |
| 2010 | 9 | #11910 |
| 2009 | 13 | #9214 |
| 2008 | 9 | #12250 |
| 2007 | 5 | #19484 |
| 2006 | 7 | #14576 |
| 2005 | 11 | #9892 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Masa as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Masa has also been given to 12 boys in the U.S. since 1919.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masa a boy's or girl's name?
When was Masa most popular?
How popular is the name Masa?
Can Masa be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1919–2024