Masa

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAH-sah /ˈmɑː.sə/High

Meaning: In Japanese, Masa (雅) means elegant, graceful, or refined; alternate kanji can give meanings including righteous (正) or dance.High

In 30 seconds: Masa is a cross-cultural name with Japanese elegance and Slavic warmth, meaning both graceful refinement and a beloved form of Mary. Short, soft, and globally versatile.

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Origin HighJapanese, Slavic, Czech

MeaningIn Japanese, Masa (雅) means elegant, graceful, or refined; alternate kanji can give meanings including righteous (正) or dance.

U.S. rank (2024)#2995 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births55 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 497

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Masa in Japanese has been used as both a standalone name and as a first element in compound names such as Masako (elegant child) and Masami. The kanji 雅 (elegant) is historically associated with classical poetry and court culture in Japan.

As a Slavic short form, Maša (written Masa in English) is the Czech, Slovak, and South Slavic pet form of Maria, parallel to how Masha is used in Russian. The name bridges two entirely distinct cultural traditions, making Masa a rare genuinely cross-cultural name.

Did you know? In Japanese, the kanji chosen for Masa dramatically changes the name's meaning — 雅 gives elegance, 正 gives righteousness, and 舞 gives dance — making it one of the most meaning-flexible two-mora Japanese names.

Overall data confidence 82%

Behind the Name — Masa — Usage overviewKodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary — Japanese kanji meanings for Masa

Variations

MasakoMashaMašaMaria

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

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If you like Masa…

Masako— Extended Japanese form with the same masa elegance root

Masha— Russian/Slavic pet form of Maria, same as Slavic Masa

Hana— Short Japanese girls name with nature meaning

Yuki— Short two-syllable Japanese girls name of similar feel

Maria— The full form of which Masa is the Slavic diminutive

Frequently Asked

What does the name Masa mean?

Masa means elegant or graceful in Japanese (using kanji 雅) and is also a Slavic diminutive of Maria meaning beloved or wished-for child.

How do you pronounce Masa?

Masa is pronounced MAH-sah, two syllables with stress on the first: /ˈmɑː.sə/.

Is Masa a boy or girl name?

Masa is used for both genders in Japan (more commonly as a male name element) but is used as a girls' name in Slavic countries and increasingly in the West.

How popular is Masa?

Masa is uncommon as a given name in English-speaking countries. It is more established in Japan (as a name element) and in Czech/Slovak communities.