Masato
Meaningoften righteous person · Japanese
Masato is a Japanese boy name often meaning “righteous person”. 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: Masato has the name Asa hiding inside it.
- GenerationMasato peaked in 1913, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryMasato first shows up in US birth records in 1912, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 113 years since.
US births per million boys, 1912–2025
Similar names
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 Masato
Masato is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often righteous person”. 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 Masato
What does the name Masato mean?
Masato means “often righteous person” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Saleh (“righteous, virtuous”), Salih (“righteous, virtuous”), Tadashi (“often correct, righteous”) and Kapono (“the righteous one”).
What is the origin of the name Masato?
Masato is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Masato a boy or girl name?
Masato is a boy name.
How popular is the name Masato?
Masato is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2020. It peaked at #1,205 in 1913, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Masato?
If you like Masato, you might also like Saleh, Salih, Tadashi and Kapono.
What should I know before naming my baby Masato?
Masato is a Japanese boy name often meaning “righteous person”. 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.