Masako
A girl's name of Japanese origin with 821 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Masako peaked during early twentieth-century America, when 58 babies received this name in a single year (1921). That era was defined by heritage-rooted naming, and Masako has since stepped out of the spotlight, giving it a vintage quality that many parents now find appealing.
Masako is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Masako is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin, a traditional feminine name commonly meaning 'elegant child' or 'virtuous child,' written with kanji such as 雅子 (masa = elegant, graceful; ko = child). The -ko suffix, meaning child, is one of the most common endings in traditional Japanese feminine names.
Masako gained international recognition as the name of Japan's Crown Princess Masako, who became Empress Masako in 2019. The name carries a sense of refined grace and classical Japanese femininity.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Masako belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Japanese naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Japanese names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Masako’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Masako has 33+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1909.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 | #14914 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 12 | #8464 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 10 | #4968 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 109 | #2539 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 386 | #1319 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 293 | #1216 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 6 | #2147 | — |
The Story of Masako
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Masako is a name steeped in history. Girls named Masako are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Masako?
With 821 total births on record, Masako remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1909, peaked in the 1920s with 386 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Masako by the numbers
- Would fill 17 school buses
- Meeting one Masako per day would take 2.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(33 years, 1909–1993)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 5 | #14914 |
| 1976 | 7 | #7807 |
| 1971 | 5 | #9120 |
| 1943 | 5 | #5122 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4814 |
| 1937 | 9 | #3087 |
| 1936 | 7 | #3604 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2528 |
| 1934 | 17 | #1972 |
| 1933 | 13 | #2361 |
| 1932 | 10 | #2975 |
| 1931 | 14 | #2269 |
| 1930 | 27 | #1519 |
| 1929 | 28 | #1473 |
| 1928 | 24 | #1717 |
| 1927 | 37 | #1323 |
| 1926 | 31 | #1473 |
| 1925 | 30 | #1526 |
| 1924 | 39 | #1295 |
| 1923 | 39 | #1260 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masako a boy's or girl's name?
When was Masako most popular?
How popular is the name Masako?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1909–1993