Takao

♂ Boy

Pronounced tah-KAH-oh /tɑˈkɑ.o/Low

Meaning: Takao is a Japanese boy's name written with kanji that commonly combine taka, 'high' or 'noble,' with o, 'hero' or 'man' - a sense of 'noble hero.' Because the meaning depends on the chosen characters, it can vary by bearer. Takao is also the name of a mountain near Tokyo. We give romaji only, with no kanji.Low

In 30 seconds: Takao is a Japanese boy's name whose kanji often mean 'noble hero' (also a mountain near Tokyo). Rare in US records, its small peak came around 1922 with Japanese families (said tah-KAH-oh).

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Origin LowJapanese

MeaningTakao is a Japanese boy's name written with kanji that commonly combine taka, 'high' or 'noble,' with o, 'hero' or 'man' - a sense of 'noble hero.' Because the meaning depends on the chosen characters, it can vary by bearer. Takao is also the name of a mountain near Tokyo. We give romaji only, with no kanji.

U.S. rank (1935)#3603 ↗ Rising

1935 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 146

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

Takao is a Japanese name written with kanji that usually pair taka, 'high' or 'noble,' with o, 'hero' or 'man,' so its exact meaning depends on the characters used. It also names a mountain near Tokyo. It reached early US records with Japanese immigrant families; we render it in romaji only.

It was never common in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year even at its peak around 1922, and it faded early. A boy named Takao then would belong to his great-grandparents' generation today.

Did you know? Takao's meaning rides on its kanji - most often 'high' or 'noble' joined to 'hero' - and it also names Mount Takao, a beloved peak on the edge of Tokyo.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Takao — Japanese; kanji-dependent 'high/noble' + 'hero/man'; Mount Takao; romaji only, no kanji; respectful.

Variations

TakeoTakashiTakahiroTakumi

Nicknames

Taka

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Takao mean?

It is a Japanese name whose kanji commonly combine 'high' or 'noble' with 'hero' or 'man'; the exact meaning depends on the characters, and it also names a mountain near Tokyo.

How do you pronounce Takao?

It is said tah-KAH-oh /tɑˈkɑ.o/ - three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Takao a boy or girl name?

Takao is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Takao?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about fifteen boys a year even at its peak in the nineteen-twenties, mostly among Japanese immigrants.