Natsu

A boy's name of Japanese origin with 42 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Among U.S. boy's names, Natsu is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.

With records spanning 2016 to 2023, Natsu has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.

Natsu is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.

Natsu is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, meaning 'summer' (夏). It is one of the four seasonal words in Japanese — haru (spring), natsu (summer), aki (autumn), fuyu (winter) — all of which are used as given names in Japan.

Natsu carries the warmth, energy, and abundance associated with summer in Japanese culture. It gained some recognition internationally through the popular manga and anime series Fairy Tail, whose protagonist is named Natsu Dragneel.

EtymologyShow more

Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Natsu is rooted in the Japanese tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2016 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.

Natsu’s rarity (42 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.

At a Glance

Unranked

Current Rank

Total births

Since 2016

2023

Peak year

9 births

Compare Natsu with another name

Popularity Over Time

Natsu has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2016.

First appeared: 2016Peak: 2023 (9 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Natsu
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	27	#11308	▲
2010s	15	#9901	—

The Story of Natsu

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2023, Natsu is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Natsu are most likely born between 2016 and 2023.

How rare is Natsu?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Natsu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 2016, peaked in the 2020s with 27 births that decade.

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(6 years, 2016–2023)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Natsu
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2023	9	#8711	+1 (12.5%)
2022	8	#9578	+3 (60.0%)
2021	5	#13477	0
2020	5	#13465	-3 (-37.5%)
2018	8	#9398	+1 (14.3%)
2016	7	#10404	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Natsu a boy's or girl's name?

Natsu is primarily a boy's name.

When was Natsu most popular?

Natsu reached its peak popularity in 2023 with 9 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Natsu?

Natsu is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 42 babies in the U.S. since 2016. Its peak was in 2023.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2016–2023