Shozo
A masculine Japanese name meaning "reviving the tradition" or "pursuing eternity".
Name Census estimates that about 1 living Americans carry the first name Shozo. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Shozo today is around 70 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shozo births was 1928 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shozo. 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 Shozo is about 70 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Shozos were born before 1966.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Shozo. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
1
~ 1 in 342,754,338 Americans
Peak year
1928
10 babies that year
Average age
70
years old
1928 SSA rank
#2,821
Tracked since 1914
Popularity
Shozo: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shozo 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 10 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
Shozo 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 Shozo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shozos live
Origin
Meaning and history of Shozo
The name Shozo has its origins in the Japanese language and culture. It is a masculine given name that has been used in Japan for centuries. The name is derived from the Japanese words "sho" meaning "to soar" or "to excel" and "zo" meaning "son" or "child." Therefore, the name Shozo can be interpreted to mean "soaring son" or "excelling child."
In ancient Japanese history, the name Shozo was often given to boys with the hope that they would grow up to be exceptional individuals who would achieve great things in their lives. The name was particularly popular among the samurai class, as they valued strength, honor, and excellence in their warriors.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shozo dates back to the Heian period (794-1185 AD). During this time, a renowned poet and courtier named Shozo Fujiwara was known for his contributions to the literary world. He is credited with writing several waka poems that are still studied and appreciated today.
In the 16th century, a famous Buddhist monk named Shozo Kokushi played a significant role in the spread of Zen Buddhism throughout Japan. He was revered for his teachings and his dedication to the spiritual path.
Another notable figure in Japanese history was Shozo Tanaka (1841-1913), a politician and diplomat who served as the first Japanese ambassador to the United States. He played a crucial role in strengthening the diplomatic ties between Japan and the United States during the Meiji era.
In the world of sports, Shozo Sasahara (1927-2022) was a renowned sumo wrestler who achieved the highest rank of yokozuna in 1958. He was known for his exceptional skill and technique in the dohyo (sumo ring).
Lastly, Shozo Michikawa (1953-2020) was a celebrated Japanese artist and calligrapher. His works were exhibited in various galleries around the world, and he was praised for his unique style and mastery of the brush.
Throughout history, the name Shozo has been associated with individuals who have achieved greatness in their respective fields, whether it be literature, religion, politics, sports, or the arts. The name continues to be a popular choice among Japanese parents who wish to instill a sense of excellence and ambition in their sons.
People
Shozo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shozo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Shozo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shozo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shozo 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 342,754,338 US residents.
Is Shozo a common name?
We classify Shozo as "Very Rare". It ranks above 3.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 19 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shozo most popular?
The single biggest year for Shozo was 1928, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shozo is about 70 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 Shozo in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Shozo a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shozo 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 Shozo still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Shozo 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 Shozo 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 share the name Shozo?
Want to know how many people have the name Shozo? HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, puts the living-bearer count front and centre.