Tamotsu
A boy's name of Japanese origin with 199 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Tamotsu 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 1915 to 1932, Tamotsu has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Tamotsu is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Tamotsu is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, combining kanji such as 保 (tamotsu, meaning 'to protect' or 'to maintain') — a name expressing the idea of guarding and sustaining what is important.
Tamotsu is a traditional Japanese masculine name that carries a sense of quiet responsibility and careful stewardship. It suggests a person who holds things together — family, community, relationships — with steady, reliable care.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Tamotsu is rooted in the Japanese tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1915 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Tamotsu’s rarity (199 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
Popularity Over Time
Tamotsu has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 143 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 38 | — |
The Story of Tamotsu
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1923, Tamotsu is a name steeped in history. Boys named Tamotsu are most likely born between 1915 and 1932.
How rare is Tamotsu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tamotsu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1915, peaked in the 1920s with 143 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tamotsu by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1915–1932)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 6 | #3735 |
| 1930 | 12 | #2437 |
| 1929 | 9 | #2954 |
| 1928 | 16 | #2040 |
| 1927 | 18 | #1950 |
| 1926 | 14 | #2289 |
| 1925 | 7 | #3706 |
| 1924 | 12 | #2620 |
| 1923 | 26 | #1495 |
| 1922 | 14 | #2331 |
| 1921 | 15 | #2254 |
| 1920 | 12 | #2586 |
| 1919 | 7 | #3701 |
| 1918 | 9 | #3078 |
| 1917 | 11 | #2545 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2438 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tamotsu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tamotsu most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1915–1932