Masaji
Commonly interpreted as a Japanese masculine name meaning "righteous path".
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Masaji. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Masaji today is around 98 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Masaji births was 1913 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Masaji. 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 Masaji is about 98 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Masajis were born before 1938.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Masaji. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1913
11 babies that year
Average age
98
years old
1933 SSA rank
#3,977
Tracked since 1913
Popularity
Masaji: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Masaji from the 1910s through to the 1930s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 40 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1910s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Masaji 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 Masaji during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Masajis live
Origin
Meaning and history of Masaji
The name Masaji is of Japanese origin, derived from the combination of the words "masa" meaning "truth" or "righteousness" and "ji" meaning "second son" or "samurai." It is a masculine given name that has been in use in Japan for centuries.
The earliest recorded use of the name Masaji can be traced back to the 12th century, during the Kamakura period in Japan. It was commonly given to second sons of samurai families, reflecting the cultural importance placed on birth order and the warrior class.
In the Edo period (1603-1868), the name gained popularity among the merchant and artisan classes as well. During this time, Japan experienced a period of relative peace and cultural flourishing, and the name Masaji became associated with values such as honesty, integrity, and diligence.
One of the earliest notable figures with the name Masaji was Masaji Iwafuchi (1825-1880), a Japanese physician and pioneer in Western medicine in Japan. He studied under German physicians and played a crucial role in introducing modern medical practices to Japan.
Another prominent individual with the name was Masaji Takahashi (1862-1937), a Japanese politician and diplomat. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and played a significant role in shaping Japan's foreign policy during the early 20th century.
In the literary realm, Masaji Ibuse (1898-1993) was a celebrated Japanese novelist and playwright. His works, such as "Black Rain" and "Salamander," explored the impact of World War II and the atomic bombings on Japanese society.
The name Masaji also has ties to the martial arts tradition in Japan. Masaji Ishikawa (1890-1962) was a renowned master of judo and served as the president of the Kodokan Judo Institute, the governing body of judo in Japan.
Another notable figure was Masaji Marumaya (1914-2005), a Japanese military officer and diplomat who played a key role in the negotiations leading to the end of World War II and the surrender of Japan.
While the name Masaji has its roots in ancient Japan, it has endured and continues to be bestowed upon boys in modern times, carrying with it the rich cultural and historical significance of its origins.
People
Masaji + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Masaji 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
Masaji: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Masaji?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Masaji 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 Masaji a common name?
We classify Masaji 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, 62 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Masaji most popular?
The single biggest year for Masaji was 1913, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Masaji 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 Masaji in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Masaji a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Masaji 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 Masaji still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Masaji 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 Masaji 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 have Masaji as a first name?
If you just want to know how many people have the name Masaji, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.