Tomo
Gender-neutral name · Japanese
Meaningoften friend, wisdom · Japanese
Tomo is a Japanese gender-neutral name often meaning “friend, wisdom”. 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. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationTomo peaked in 2003, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Tomo you'd meet today is about 22 years old.
- HistoryTomo first shows up in US birth records in 2003, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
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 Tomo
Tomo is a gender-neutral name of Japanese origin meaning “often friend, wisdom”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. 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. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Rio · river
- Unisex name: Akari · light, brightness
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Boy name: Kenzo · often healthy third son
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
Questions about the name Tomo
What does the name Tomo mean?
Tomo means “often friend, wisdom” and comes from Japanese. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Ruth (“companion, friend”), Dakota (“friend, ally”), Raya (“friend”) and Khalil (“friend”).
What is the origin of the name Tomo?
Tomo is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Asa (“healer”) and Rio (“river”).
Is Tomo a boy or girl name?
Both. Tomo is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Tomo?
Tomo is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2016. It peaked at #8,643 in 2003, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Tomo?
If you like Tomo, you might also like Ruth, Dakota, Raya and Khalil.
What should I know before naming my baby Tomo?
Tomo is a Japanese gender-neutral name often meaning “friend, wisdom”. 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. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.