Masao
Borrowed from Japanese まさお (Masao).
Every Masao since 1907 — 1,018 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Masao
Masao is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1907, 1,018 American babies have been named Masao. Its peak came in 1918, when 81 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Masao stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Masao year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #13,429 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | 5 | #13,366 |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 8 | #9,320 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | 5 | #4,404 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #3,774 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,203 |
| 1930 | 24 | #1,519 |
| 1925 | 36 | #1,196 |
| 1920 | 51 | #969 |
| 1915 | 42 | #975 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Masao
- Masao Takada Soccer player
- Masao Ono Soccer player · 1923–2001
- Masao Nozawa Soccer player
- Masao Uchino Soccer player · 1934–2013
- Masao Sugimoto Soccer player · b. 1967
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Masao mean?
Borrowed from Japanese まさお (Masao).
How popular is the name Masao in 2025?
Masao did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Masao?
1,018 babies have been named Masao in the United States since 1907, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Masao most popular?
Masao peaked in 1918, when 81 newborns received the name.
Is Masao a boy or girl name?
Masao is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Masao rising or falling?
Masao is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Masao?
Well-known people named Masao include Masao Takada (soccer player), Masao Ono (soccer player), Masao Nozawa (soccer player).