Saburo
Meaningthird son · Japanese
Saburo is a Japanese boy name meaning “third 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?
- Word funSaburo doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- GenerationSaburo peaked in 1925, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistorySaburo 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.
US births per million boys, 1914–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Saburo
Saburo is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “third son”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. 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 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 Saburo
What does the name Saburo mean?
Saburo means “third son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Kenzo (“often healthy third son”), Trae (“third”), Tray (“third”) and Hepi (“third-born son”).
What is the origin of the name Saburo?
Saburo is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Saburo a boy or girl name?
Saburo is a boy name.
How popular is the name Saburo?
Saburo is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1937. It peaked at #1,390 in 1925, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Saburo?
If you like Saburo, you might also like Kenzo, Trae, Tray and Hepi.
What should I know before naming my baby Saburo?
Saburo is a Japanese boy name meaning “third 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.