Masato Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-sah-toh /mɑːsɑːtoʊ/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Japanese: 'righteous person' or 'helpful person'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Masato is of Japanese origin, derived from the combination of two kanji characters: "masa" (正), meaning "correct" or "righteous," and "to" (人), meaning "person" or "man." This etymological structure reflects a common practice in Japanese naming conventions, where names are often formed by combining characters that convey specific meanings. The name Masato can thus be interpreted as "righteous person" or "correct man," embodying virtues that are highly regarded in Japanese culture.
Historically, the name Masato has been borne by various notable figures throughout Japanese history. While specific records of individuals named Masato may not be as prominent as those of other names, the components of the name have been significant in Japanese society.
The character "masa" has been used in various contexts, including in the names of historical figures and in literature, where it often signifies integrity and moral uprightness. The use of such names can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185), a time when the importance of virtue in personal names began to be emphasized in Japanese culture.
Culturally, names like Masato resonate with the values of honor and righteousness, which are central to many aspects of Japanese tradition and philosophy, including Confucianism. The name has been associated with various cultural narratives that highlight the importance of ethical behavior and social responsibility.
Additionally, diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist, reflecting familial or affectionate uses, though these are less documented. Overall, Masato represents a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, encapsulating ideals that have been cherished throughout Japanese history.
Famous people named Masato
In this section, you will find notable people named Masato. 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 Masato who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Masato 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.
Masato Nakamura is a composer best known for his work on the Sonic the Hedgehog series and the soundtrack for the game Phantasy Star II.
Masato Yoshii is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the Seibu Lions and the New York Mets.
Fictional characters named Masato
The following list of fictional characters named Masato 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.
Masato is a fictional character from the video game series Persona. He is a student who becomes involved in the supernatural events surrounding the Persona universe.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Masato, 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 Masato. 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 Masato was first seen in the United States in 1912.
Masato has ranked as high as #891 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in Hawaii, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Masato has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Masato 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 Masato was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Masato (2015)
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 Masato.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1936 | 5 |
| 1934 | 9 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1930 | 11 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1927 | 10 |
| 1926 | 13 |
| 1925 | 17 |
| 1924 | 25 |
| 1923 | 17 |
| 1922 | 14 |
| 1921 | 14 |
| 1920 | 18 |
| 1919 | 24 |
| 1918 | 18 |
| 1917 | 23 |
| 1916 | 23 |
| 1915 | 8 |
| 1914 | 15 |
| 1913 | 18 |
| 1912 | 11 |