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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mako

Mako

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAH-koh /ˈmɑː.koʊ/Medium

Meaning: A Japanese name (often a short form of Makoto or Mako names), variously read 'true; truth' or 'genuine child,' depending on the characters used. Note it is also the name of a shark (from Maori).Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp Japanese name: Mako can read 'true; genuine' (said 'MAH-koh'). Note it is also a shark — we mention it.
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Origin LowJapanese
MeaningA Japanese name (often a short form of Makoto or Mako names), variously read 'true; truth' or 'genuine child,' depending on the characters used. Note it is also the name of a shark (from Maori).
U.S. rank (2025)#14288 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 71

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202419962025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mako is a Japanese name (often short for Makoto/Mako names), read 'true; genuine' by its characters. It is also the mako shark's name, from Maori, which we note — crisp and rare in the U.S. (said 'MAH-koh').

In the U.S. it appears very rarely. Rare, crisp, and distinctive.

Did you know? Mako is a Japanese name — read 'true; truth' or 'genuine child' by its characters — and also, from Maori, the name of a swift shark, which we note; the exact meaning depends on the writing (said 'MAH-koh').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Mako — Japanese 'true; genuine'; also a shark; meaning by characters

Variations

MahkoMakotoMakko

Nicknames

MakKo

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mako…

Makoto— the fuller Japanese name
Miko— a like short Japanese name
Yuki— a like crisp Japanese pick
Aiko— a similarly popular pick
Keiko— shares the -ko ending

Explore names like Mako

By themeuncertainshortjapanesenature-adjacent

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mako mean?

Mako is a Japanese name read 'true; genuine' by its characters; it is also the name of a shark, which we note. The exact meaning depends on the writing, which we note.

How do you pronounce Mako?

It's said MAH-koh /ˈmɑː.koʊ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mako a boy or girl name?

Mako is used here for a girl; in Japan it can be used for either, which we note.

How popular is Mako?

Mako is a very rare name in the U.S.

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