Shintaro
Meaningoften true eldest son · Japanese
Shintaro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “true eldest 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 a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Word funShintaro doesn't repeat a single letter: 8 letters, all different.
- GenerationShintaro peaked in 1990, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Shintaro you'd meet today is about 35 years old.
- HistoryShintaro first shows up in US birth records in 1990, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 35 years since.
US births per million boys, 1990–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Shintaro
Shintaro is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often true eldest son”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. 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 Shintaro
What does the name Shintaro mean?
Shintaro means “often true eldest son” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Kantaro (“often sensitive eldest son”), Keitaro (“often blessed eldest son”), Kentaro (“often strong eldest son”) and Kotaro (“often little eldest son”).
What is the origin of the name Shintaro?
Shintaro is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Shintaro a boy or girl name?
Shintaro is a boy name.
How popular is the name Shintaro?
Shintaro is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2000. It peaked at #8,117 in 1990, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Shintaro?
If you like Shintaro, you might also like Kantaro, Keitaro, Kentaro and Kotaro.
What should I know before naming my baby Shintaro?
Shintaro is a Japanese boy name often meaning “true eldest 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 a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, 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.