Kotaro
Meaningoften little eldest son · Japanese
Kotaro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “little eldest son”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationKotaro peaked in 1919, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryKotaro first shows up in US birth records in 1919, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 106 years since.
US births per million boys, 1919–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kotaro
Kotaro is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often little eldest son”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1910s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese boy names
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Boy name: Kenji · often strong second son
- Unisex name: Ren · often lotus
- Unisex name: Zen · meditation
- Unisex name: Mars · god of war
Questions about the name Kotaro
What does the name Kotaro mean?
Kotaro means “often little eldest son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Kantaro (“often sensitive eldest son”), Keitaro (“often blessed eldest son”), Kentaro (“often strong eldest son”) and Kyotaro (“often respectful eldest son”).
What is the origin of the name Kotaro?
Kotaro is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Kotaro a boy or girl name?
Kotaro is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kotaro?
Kotaro is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2023. It peaked at #4,168 in 1919, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kotaro?
If you like Kotaro, you might also like Kantaro, Keitaro, Kentaro and Kyotaro.
What should I know before naming my baby Kotaro?
Kotaro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “little eldest son”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.