Masako Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-sah-koh /ma̠sa̠ko̞/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: elegant child; true child
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Masako is of Japanese origin, derived from the elements "masa" (正), meaning "correct" or "righteous," and "ko" (子), which translates to "child" or "daughter." This construction reflects a common naming convention in Japan, where names often carry significant meanings related to virtues or desirable traits. The name has been used in various forms throughout Japanese history, with its roots traceable to classical Japanese literature and culture, where names were often chosen for their auspicious meanings.
Historically, the name Masako gained prominence in the Kamakura period (1185–1333), particularly associated with Masako Hojo, the wife of the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, Minamoto no Yoritomo. Masako Hojo played a crucial role in the political landscape of her time, and her legacy contributed to the name's historical significance.
The name has appeared in various literary works and historical texts, reflecting the status and influence of women in Japanese society during the feudal era. Culturally, Masako embodies ideals of virtue and strength, resonating with traditional Japanese values that emphasize righteousness and familial honor.
The name has been borne by several notable figures throughout history, including Masako Owada, who became Empress of Japan in the 21st century. The enduring appeal of the name can be attributed to its rich historical associations and the positive connotations of its meaning, making it a respected choice within Japanese culture.
The diminutive form "Masa" is sometimes affectionately used, though it is less common than the full name.
Famous people named Masako
In this section, you will find notable people named Masako. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Masako who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Masako who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Masako is a Japanese princess best known for her marriage to Crown Prince Naruhito and her role in the Japanese imperial family.
Fictional characters named Masako
The following list of fictional characters named Masako is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Masako is a fictional character from the video game series Yakuza. She is a key figure in the narrative, often involved in the protagonist's journey and personal struggles.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Masako, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Masako. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Masako was first seen in the United States in 1909.
Masako has ranked as high as #826 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Hawaii, California, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Masako has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Masako is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Masako was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Masako (1936)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Masako.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1937 | 9 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1935 | 12 |
| 1934 | 17 |
| 1933 | 13 |
| 1932 | 10 |
| 1931 | 14 |
| 1930 | 27 |
| 1929 | 28 |
| 1928 | 24 |
| 1927 | 37 |
| 1926 | 31 |
| 1925 | 30 |
| 1924 | 39 |
| 1923 | 39 |
| 1922 | 53 |
| 1921 | 58 |
| 1920 | 47 |
| 1919 | 55 |
| 1918 | 43 |
| 1917 | 31 |
| 1916 | 36 |
| 1915 | 34 |
| 1914 | 34 |
| 1913 | 34 |
| 1912 | 18 |
| 1911 | 8 |
| 1909 | 6 |