Find out how popular the first name Shiro has been for the last 6 years (from 2018 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shiro by gender

Based on the last 6 years of data, Shiro is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Shiro.

The history of the first name Shiro

The name Shiro has its origins in Japanese culture, deriving from the Japanese word "shiro," which means "white" or "castle." This name has been in use for centuries, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan.

One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Shiro was Shiro Hashiba, a renowned Japanese samurai warrior who lived during the Sengoku period (1467-1615). He was a loyal retainer of the powerful Tokugawa clan and played a crucial role in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which solidified the Tokugawa Shogunate's control over Japan.

In the realm of literature, Shiro Natsume (1867-1916) was a prominent Japanese novelist and short story writer. His works, such as "Kokoro" and "Botchan," explored themes of human nature, social norms, and the complexities of modern Japanese society. Natsume is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Japanese literature.

Another notable figure with the name Shiro was Shiro Ishii (1892-1959), a Japanese microbiologist and lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army. During World War II, he oversaw the infamous Unit 731, a covert biological and chemical warfare research unit that conducted horrific human experiments on prisoners of war and civilians. Ishii's actions were considered war crimes, but he was granted immunity by the United States in exchange for sharing his research data.

In the world of sports, Shiro Hashizume (1910-1995) was a Japanese wrestler who competed in the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics. He won a silver medal in the middleweight category at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, becoming one of the first Japanese athletes to medal in wrestling at the Olympic Games.

Lastly, Shiro Kuramata (1934-1991) was a renowned Japanese furniture and product designer. He is best known for his innovative use of materials like mesh, acrylic, and glass, as well as his playful and minimalist designs. Kuramata's works have been featured in numerous exhibitions and are held in the permanent collections of museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Shiro, which carries a rich cultural heritage and linguistic significance in Japanese tradition.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shiro was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shiro, please contact us.

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