Taro Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TAH-roh /ˈtaɾo/
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: eldest son; first-born
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Taro has its roots in Japan, where it is derived from the Japanese characters "太" (ta), meaning "big" or "great," and "郎" (ro), which translates to "son" or "boy." This etymology reflects a common practice in Japanese naming conventions, where names often carry significant meanings related to virtues, characteristics, or familial roles. Taro is traditionally used as a masculine given name and is often associated with the first-born son, emphasizing strength and prominence within the family structure.
Historically, the name Taro has been used in Japan for centuries, with its earliest recorded instances appearing in the Heian period (794-1185). During this time, names were often chosen based on auspicious meanings and were linked to the social status of families.
The name Taro has been borne by various notable figures throughout Japanese history, including samurai and cultural icons, which has contributed to its enduring presence in Japanese culture. The name's significance was further solidified with the rise of the Edo period (1603-1868), during which family names and given names became more formalized and recorded.
Culturally, Taro has come to symbolize strength, leadership, and familial pride, resonating with traditional values in Japanese society. The name is often associated with positive traits, making it a favored choice among parents.
Additionally, diminutive forms or variations of the name, such as Taro-kun, are commonly used in familial and friendly contexts, showcasing the affectionate and respectful nature of interpersonal relationships in Japan. Overall, Taro encapsulates a rich linguistic heritage and cultural significance that has persisted through the ages.
Famous people named Taro
In this section, you will find notable people named Taro. 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 Taro who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Taro 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.
Taro Yamada is a professional wrestler best known for his performances in various Japanese wrestling promotions.
Fictional characters named Taro
The following list of fictional characters named Taro 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.
Taro is a fictional character from the video game series Taro's Adventure. He is a young hero who embarks on a quest to save his world from darkness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Taro, 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 Taro. 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 Taro was first seen in the United States in 1919.
Taro has ranked as high as #1246 nationally, which occurred in 1997, and has been most popular in California, and Hawaii.
In the past 5 years the name Taro has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Taro 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 Taro was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Taro (1919)
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 | 6 | |
| 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 Taro.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1979 | 8 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1969 | 8 |
| 1968 | 6 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1922 | 10 |
| 1921 | 7 |
| 1920 | 5 |
| 1919 | 11 |