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Home › Baby Names Directory › Makoto

Makoto

♂ Boy

Pronounced mah-KOH-toh /mɑˈko.to/Medium

Meaning: From the Japanese makoto, 'sincerity; truth; faithfulness' — a virtue name used for both sexesLow

In 30 seconds: Sincerity; truth; faithfulness: Makoto is Japanese. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'mah-KOH-toh').
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Origin LowJapanese
MeaningFrom the Japanese makoto, 'sincerity; truth; faithfulness' — a virtue name used for both sexes
U.S. rank (2025)#7490 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births11 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1922
Total births (all-time)≈ 552

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192219152025

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

Makoto comes from the Japanese makoto, 'sincerity; truth; faithfulness' — a virtue name used for both sexes. A lyrical, classic name (said 'mah-KOH-toh').

In the U.S. it appears in Japanese families. Rare, sincerity-and-truth at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Makoto means 'sincerity; truth; faithfulness' in Japanese — a virtue name used for both sexes, and lyrical (said 'mah-KOH-toh').
Overall data confidence 42%
References — Makoto — Japanese etymology

Variations

MakoMakotoh

Nicknames

Mako

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Makoto…

Haruto— a fellow Japanese boys' name
Kenji— a sound-adjacent Japanese boys' name
Minato— echoes that soft -to sound
Akito— a fellow Japanese choice
Ayato— shares the -to ending

Explore names like Makoto

By themejapanesevirtue-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Makoto mean?

Makoto is Japanese for 'sincerity; truth; faithfulness', a virtue name used for both sexes.

How do you pronounce Makoto?

It's said mah-KOH-toh /mɑˈko.to/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Makoto a boy or girl name?

Makoto is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Makoto?

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

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