Masae
Meaningoften just branch · Japanese
Masae is a Japanese girl name often meaning “just branch”. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Masae has the name Asa hiding inside it.
- GenerationMasae peaked in 1923, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryMasae first shows up in US birth records in 1914, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 111 years since.
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 Masae
Masae is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often just branch”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1920s, 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 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 Masae
What does the name Masae mean?
Masae means “often just branch” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Hanae (“often flower branch”), Kazue (“often harmonious branch”), Mie (“often beautiful branch”) and Mitsue (“often shining branch”).
What is the origin of the name Masae?
Masae is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Masae a boy or girl name?
Masae is a girl name.
How popular is the name Masae?
Masae is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1929. It peaked at #2,465 in 1923, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Masae?
If you like Masae, you might also like Hanae, Kazue, Mie and Mitsue.
What should I know before naming my baby Masae?
Masae is a Japanese girl name often meaning “just branch”. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.