Takeo
Meaningoften brave man · Japanese
Takeo is a Japanese boy name often meaning “brave man”. 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?
- GenerationTakeo peaked in 1913, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryTakeo first shows up in US birth records in 1911, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 114 years since.
US births per million boys, 1911–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Takeo
Takeo is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often brave man”. 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 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 Takeo
What does the name Takeo mean?
Takeo means “often brave man” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “brave” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Wyatt (“brave in war”), Everett (“brave as a boar”), Leonardo (“brave as a lion”) and Richard (“brave ruler”).
What is the origin of the name Takeo?
Takeo is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Takeo a boy or girl name?
Takeo is a boy name.
How popular is the name Takeo?
Takeo is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #1,075 in 1913, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Takeo?
If you like Takeo, you might also like Wyatt, Everett, Leonardo and Richard.
What should I know before naming my baby Takeo?
Takeo is a Japanese boy name often meaning “brave man”. 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.