Nobuo Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NO-boo-oh /nobɯo̞/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Noble man
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Nobuo is of Japanese origin, derived from the combination of two kanji characters: "nobu" (信 or 延), which can mean "trust," "faith," or "extend," and "o" (男), meaning "man." This etymology reflects a cultural emphasis on virtues such as reliability and strength, which are highly regarded in Japanese society. The name has been used in various forms throughout Japanese history, with its roots traceable back to ancient Japan, where names often carried significant meaning related to personal attributes or familial aspirations.
Historically, the name Nobuo has been borne by notable figures in Japan, particularly during the Edo period (1603-1868), a time characterized by relative peace and stability, which allowed for the flourishing of culture and the arts. The use of names like Nobuo during this era often reflected the values of the samurai class, emphasizing loyalty and honor.
Additionally, the name appears in various literary works and historical texts, contributing to its recognition within Japanese culture. Culturally, Nobuo resonates with themes of integrity and perseverance, qualities that have been celebrated in Japanese folklore and literature.
The name has been associated with various traditional practices and ceremonies, reinforcing its significance in familial and societal contexts. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, such as Nobu, the core name retains its strong connotations of trustworthiness and masculinity, ensuring its continued relevance in Japanese naming conventions.
Famous people named Nobuo
In this section, you will find notable people named Nobuo. 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 Nobuo who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Nobuo 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.
Nobuo Uematsu is a composer best known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon.
Nobuo Tanaka is a voice actor best known for his roles in anime series such as Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Naruto.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Nobuo, 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 Nobuo. 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 Nobuo was first seen in the United States in 1913.
Nobuo has ranked as high as #861 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Hawaii, California, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Nobuo has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Nobuo 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 Nobuo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Nobuo (1931)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| HI | 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 Nobuo.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1933 | 5 |
| 1931 | 8 |
| 1930 | 6 |
| 1929 | 12 |
| 1928 | 19 |
| 1927 | 14 |
| 1926 | 10 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1924 | 17 |
| 1923 | 19 |
| 1922 | 11 |
| 1921 | 23 |
| 1920 | 20 |
| 1919 | 11 |
| 1918 | 10 |
| 1917 | 7 |
| 1916 | 8 |
| 1915 | 16 |
| 1914 | 9 |
| 1913 | 6 |