Mao
Meaningoften true center · Japanese
Mao is a Japanese girl name often meaning “true center”. 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 short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationMao peaked in 1983, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Mao you'd meet today is about 42 years old.
- HistoryMao first shows up in US birth records in 1980, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 45 years since.
US births per million girls, 1980–2025
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Mao
Mao is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often true center”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Mao
What does the name Mao mean?
Mao means “often true center” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Gaon (“center, middle”).
What is the origin of the name Mao?
Mao is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Mao a boy or girl name?
Mao is a girl name.
How popular is the name Mao?
Mao is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2016. It peaked at #4,286 in 1983, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Mao?
If you like Mao, you might also like Gaon.
What should I know before naming my baby Mao?
Mao is a Japanese girl name often meaning “true center”. 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 short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.