Goro
A Japanese masculine name meaning "protector" or "respected one".
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Goro. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Goro today is around 98 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Goro births was 1923 (12 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Goro. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Goro is about 98 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Goros were born before 1938.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Goro. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1923
12 babies that year
Average age
98
years old
1928 SSA rank
#2,922
Tracked since 1916
Popularity
Goro: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Goro from the 1910s through to the 1920s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 64 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Goro by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Goro during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Goros live
Origin
Meaning and history of Goro
The given name Goro is believed to have originated from the Japanese language, with its roots dating back to the ancient times of Japan's rich cultural heritage. This name is derived from the combination of two Japanese words, "go" meaning "great" or "mighty," and "ro" meaning "son" or "heir." Together, the name Goro carries the connotation of a "great son" or a "mighty heir."
During the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan, the name Goro gained prominence and was often bestowed upon the sons of influential families, signifying the expectations and aspirations placed upon them as potential heirs to their family's legacy. It was a name that carried a sense of respect and admiration for the child's future role within the community.
In the ancient Japanese literary work, "The Tale of Genji," considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature, a character named Goro is mentioned, lending further credence to the name's historical significance. Additionally, the name has been documented in various historical records and genealogies of noble families from that era.
One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Goro was Minamoto no Goro (1014-1094), a prominent Japanese samurai warrior and military commander who played a crucial role in the Genpei War, which marked the transition of power from the Taira to the Minamoto clan in the late 12th century.
Another notable figure was Goro Nyudo Masamune (1264-1343), a legendary Japanese swordsmith renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship and the creation of some of the finest Japanese swords, which are still highly revered today.
In the realm of art, the name Goro was borne by Goro Shikoku (1746-1822), a renowned Japanese woodblock print artist and painter who made significant contributions to the ukiyo-e genre, capturing the vibrant culture and daily life of Edo-period Japan.
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Goro Narita (1863-1938) was a prominent Japanese politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a crucial role in shaping Japan's international relations during a pivotal period in its history.
More recently, Goro Majima (born 1960) is a Japanese actor and singer known for his roles in numerous television dramas and films, including his portrayal of a notorious yakuza member in the critically acclaimed video game series, "Yakuza."
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Goro, each leaving their mark on various aspects of Japanese culture, history, and society.
People
Goro + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Goro as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Goro: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Goro?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Goro going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 171,377,169 US residents.
Is Goro a common name?
We classify Goro as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 77 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Goro most popular?
The single biggest year for Goro was 1923, when 12 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Goro is about 98 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Goro in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Goro a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Goro in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Goro still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Goro in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Goro can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Goro?
You can see how many people share the name Goro on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.