Tatsuo
Meaningoften dragon man · Japanese
Tatsuo is a Japanese boy name often meaning “dragon 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 simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationTatsuo peaked in 1916, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryTatsuo first shows up in US birth records in 1915, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 110 years since.
US births per million boys, 1915–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Tatsuo
Tatsuo is a boy name of Japanese origin meaning “often dragon 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 Tatsuo
What does the name Tatsuo mean?
Tatsuo means “often dragon man” and comes from Japanese. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Drake (“dragon”), Draco (“dragon”), Ryu (“often dragon”) and Ryoma (“often dragon horse”).
What is the origin of the name Tatsuo?
Tatsuo is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Asa (“healer”), Rio (“river”), Akari (“light, brightness”) and Kenzo (“often healthy third son”).
Is Tatsuo a boy or girl name?
Tatsuo is a boy name.
How popular is the name Tatsuo?
Tatsuo is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1940. It peaked at #824 in 1916, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Tatsuo?
If you like Tatsuo, you might also like Drake, Draco, Ryu and Ryoma.
What should I know before naming my baby Tatsuo?
Tatsuo is a Japanese boy name often meaning “dragon 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 simple to spell and say, 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.