Tsutomu
A boy's name of Japanese origin with 352 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Tsutomu hit its peak of 31 births in 1924, American naming still drew heavily from family heritage, religious tradition, and the cultural norms of the time.
Today, Tsutomu reads as a vintage revival candidate — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Tsutomu is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Tsutomu is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, from the Japanese meaning 'to work', 'diligence,' or 'to endeavor' — a name that places the value of earnest, dedicated effort at the heart of a person's identity.
Tsutomu has been a traditional Japanese masculine name expressing the work ethic and perseverance that are deeply valued in Japanese culture. Notable bearers include Tsutomu Hata, who served as Prime Minister of Japan in 1994. It carries the quiet, determined quality of a name that values substance over show.
EtymologyShow more
Tsutomu is built from 7 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Japanese naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Tsutomu creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tsutomu has 25+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1912.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 43 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 219 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 90 | — |
The Story of Tsutomu
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1924, Tsutomu is a name steeped in history. Boys named Tsutomu are most likely born between 1914 and 1934.
How rare is Tsutomu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tsutomu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1912, peaked in the 1920s with 219 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tsutomu by the numbers
- Would fill 7 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(25 years, 1912–1937)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 5 | #3977 |
| 1936 | 5 | #4008 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3615 |
| 1933 | 6 | #3608 |
| 1932 | 7 | #3342 |
| 1931 | 8 | #3082 |
| 1930 | 6 | #3967 |
| 1929 | 15 | #2091 |
| 1928 | 23 | #1605 |
| 1927 | 25 | #1557 |
| 1926 | 22 | #1657 |
| 1925 | 26 | #1492 |
| 1924 | 31 | #1354 |
| 1923 | 23 | #1641 |
| 1922 | 15 | #2230 |
| 1921 | 20 | #1823 |
| 1920 | 19 | #1879 |
| 1919 | 17 | #1966 |
| 1918 | 12 | #2526 |
| 1917 | 13 | #2275 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tsutomu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tsutomu most popular?
How popular is the name Tsutomu?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1912–1937