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Masato

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Masato

Pronounced mah-SAH-toh /mɑˈsɑːtoʊ/Medium

Meaning: Masato is a Japanese masculine name written in romaji here. Its meaning depends entirely on the kanji a family chooses: the frequent masa element can mean 'righteous', 'true' or 'elegant', and to can mean 'person' or 'wisteria', so common readings include 'righteous person'. Without the specific characters the exact sense cannot be fixed, so this is offered as a usual reading.Low

In 30 seconds: Masato is a Japanese boy's name, its meaning kanji-dependent; common readings include 'righteous person' (said mah-SAH-toh).

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Origin MediumJapanese

MeaningMasato is a Japanese masculine name written in romaji here. Its meaning depends entirely on the kanji a family chooses: the frequent masa element can mean 'righteous', 'true' or 'elegant', and to can mean 'person' or 'wisteria', so common readings include 'righteous person'. Without the specific characters the exact sense cannot be fixed, so this is offered as a usual reading.

U.S. rank (2020)#13360 ↘ Falling

2020 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1924

Total births (all-time)≈ 462

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Masato is a Japanese given name recorded for American boys in Issei and Nisei families in the early twentieth century. Written with kanji, its meaning turns on the characters used, with masa often 'righteous' or 'true'. Romaji alone cannot capture the intended sense, which we note honestly.

In United States records it was rare, reaching only a couple dozen boys a year around 1924 among Japanese-American families before its early window narrowed. A Masato from that time belongs to a great-grandfather's generation now, part of the immigrant-era Japanese-American story.

Did you know? Masato's masa element commonly carries senses like 'righteous' or 'true', though the exact meaning always depends on the chosen kanji.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Masato — Japanese; kanji-dependent; masa 'righteous/true'. Romaji only

Variations

MasaruMasaoMasashi

Nicknames

MasaMas

Famous Bearers

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If you like Masato…

Masao— a like masa- Japanese boy's name

Masaru— another Issei-era Japanese name

Hiroshi— a similar Japanese-American name of the era

Isamu— a comparably vintage Japanese name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Masato mean?

It's a Japanese name whose meaning depends on its kanji; common readings include 'righteous person'.

How do you pronounce Masato?

It's said mah-SAH-toh /mɑˈsɑːtoʊ/, three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Masato a boy or girl name?

Masato is used as a boy's name.

Is Masato a popular name?

No, it was always rare in America, a Japanese-heritage name seen only among immigrant families in the early twentieth century.