Masako
Meaningoften just child · Japanese
Masako is a Japanese girl name often meaning “just child”. 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?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Masako has the name Asa hiding inside it.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Masako would score 12 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationMasako peaked in 1913, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryMasako first shows up in US birth records in 1909, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 116 years since.
US births per million girls, 1909–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Masako
Masako is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often just child”. 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 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 Masako
What does the name Masako mean?
Masako means “often just child” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Khadija (“premature child”), Alannah (“dear child”), Aiko (“often beloved child”) and Emiko (“often smiling child”).
What is the origin of the name Masako?
Masako is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Masako a boy or girl name?
Masako is a girl name.
How popular is the name Masako?
Masako is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1993. It peaked at #913 in 1913, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Masako?
If you like Masako, you might also like Khadija, Alannah, Aiko and Emiko.
What should I know before naming my baby Masako?
Masako is a Japanese girl name often meaning “just child”. 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.