Masae
A Japanese feminine name meaning "true blessing" or "true gratitude".
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Masae. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Masae today is around 94 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Masae births was 1923 (14 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Masae. 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 Masae is about 94 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Masaes were born before 1942.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Masae. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1923
14 babies that year
Average age
94
years old
1929 SSA rank
#3,293
Tracked since 1880
Origin
Meaning and history of Masae
Masae is a gender-neutral given name of Japanese origin. Its precise etymology is uncertain, but it is believed to derive from the ancient Japanese word "masae," which means "true blessing" or "true grace." The name has been used in Japan for centuries, with records showing its presence as early as the 8th century CE.
One of the earliest known references to the name Masae can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese chronicle dating back to the early 8th century CE. The text mentions a person named Masae no Sukune, suggesting that the name was in use during that time period.
In the 12th century, a famous Japanese poet and scholar named Masae Fujiwara (1103-1175) gained recognition for her contributions to the field of literature. Her poetic works, including waka and tanka poetry, were highly regarded and influential during the Heian period.
Another notable figure was Masae Ando (1821-1887), a Japanese domain leader and politician who played a significant role in the Meiji Restoration. He served as the final daimyo (feudal lord) of the Fukui Domain and later became a member of the House of Peers in the new Imperial Diet.
In the realm of Japanese art, Masae Akiya (1888-1964) was a prominent painter and printmaker known for her beautiful woodblock prints depicting traditional Japanese landscapes and scenes from daily life. Her works are celebrated for their intricate details and meticulous craftsmanship.
More recently, Masae Kawamura (1928-2018) was a renowned Japanese fashion designer and entrepreneur. She founded the iconic clothing brand Comme des Garçons and was widely acclaimed for her avant-garde and deconstructed designs that challenged traditional notions of fashion.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Masae, illustrating its enduring presence and significance within Japanese culture.
People
Masae + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Masae as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Masae: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Masae?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Masae 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 Masae a common name?
We classify Masae 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, 137 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Masae most popular?
The single biggest year for Masae was 1923, when 14 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Masae is about 94 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Masae a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Masae in the SSA data are female. 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.
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.