Matsue
A masculine Japanese name meaning "pine shoot."
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Matsue. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Matsue today is around 88 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Matsue births was 1918 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Matsue. 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 Matsue is about 88 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Matsues were born before 1948.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Matsue. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1918
20 babies that year
Average age
88
years old
1930 SSA rank
#2,800
Tracked since 1914
Popularity
Matsue: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Matsue from the 1910s through to the 1930s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 89 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Matsue 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 Matsue during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Matsues live
Origin
Meaning and history of Matsue
Matsue is a Japanese given name with roots that can be traced back to the 8th century. It is derived from the Japanese words "matsu," meaning pine tree, and "e," meaning branch or blessing. The combination of these words creates a name that symbolizes strength, resilience, and good fortune.
During the Nara period (710-794 CE), the name Matsue appeared in several historical records and documents. It was particularly popular among the aristocratic families of the time, who often chose names with auspicious meanings to bestow upon their children.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Matsue was a renowned poet and calligrapher who lived during the Heian period (794-1185 CE). Matsue no Ariwara was a member of the esteemed Ariwara clan and is celebrated for her contributions to the classic anthology of Japanese poetry, the "Kokin Wakashū."
In the 12th century, Matsue no Mitsunaga was a prominent samurai and military commander who served under the Minamoto clan. He played a crucial role in the Genpei War, a legendary conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans that shaped the course of Japanese history.
During the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), Matsue Shigenobu was a renowned artist and painter known for his intricate depictions of nature and landscapes. His works were highly sought after by the wealthy and influential members of society.
In the 19th century, Matsue Masayoshi was a prominent educator and advocate for modernization in Japan. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the modern Japanese educational system and was instrumental in introducing Western ideas and philosophies to the country.
Another notable figure with the name Matsue was Matsue Haruyo, a pioneering feminist and social activist who lived in the early 20th century. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights and played a significant role in the Japanese women's suffrage movement.
Throughout history, the name Matsue has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, art, warfare, education, and social reform. Its meaning and symbolism have remained consistent, reflecting the enduring cultural values of strength, resilience, and good fortune.
People
Matsue + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Matsue 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
Matsue: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Matsue?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Matsue 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 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Matsue a common name?
We classify Matsue as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 157 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Matsue most popular?
The single biggest year for Matsue was 1918, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Matsue is about 88 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 Matsue in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Matsue a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Matsue 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.
Is Matsue still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Matsue 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 Matsue 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 Americans are named Matsue?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many Americans are named Matsue at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.