Taro first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Taro has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Taro

A masculine Japanese given name derived from a word meaning "eldest son".

Popularity of Taro by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Taro 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 Taro.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 5 0
2019 7 0
2017 7 0
2016 5 0
2015 7 0
2014 5 0
2013 9 0
2012 6 0
2010 10 0
2009 12 0
2008 5 0
2007 9 0
2006 7 0
2005 9 0
2004 8 0
2003 10 0
2002 11 0
2001 9 0
2000 7 0
1999 8 0
1998 10 0
1997 13 0
1995 12 0
1994 5 0
1993 6 0
1992 6 0
1991 10 0
1990 8 0
1988 5 0
1986 7 0
1985 5 0
1984 10 0
1982 7 0
1979 8 0
1977 5 0
1976 7 0
1975 9 0
1974 12 0

The history of the first name Taro

The name Taro originated from Japan and has been in use since ancient times. It is believed to be derived from the Japanese word "taro," which refers to a type of edible root vegetable that was commonly cultivated in the region. The name itself can be written using different kanji characters, with one variation meaning "thick root" and another meaning "great son."

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Taro can be found in the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese chronicle dating back to the early 8th century. In this text, Taro is depicted as a legendary figure who played a significant role in the mythological origins of Japan.

Throughout Japanese history, the name Taro has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the most famous was Taro Katsura (1848-1913), a prominent Japanese statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 1901 to 1908. He played a crucial role in modernizing Japan's political and economic systems during the Meiji era.

Another notable figure with the name Taro was Taro Okamoto (1911-1996), a renowned Japanese artist and sculptor. He is particularly famous for his abstract sculptures and his involvement in the avant-garde art movement in Japan during the 20th century.

In the realm of literature, Taro Yashima (1908-1994) was a celebrated author and illustrator of children's books. Born in Japan, he later immigrated to the United States and became known for his beautifully illustrated works that celebrated Japanese culture and traditions.

The name Taro has also been associated with the world of sports. Taro Daniel (born 1993) is a professional tennis player from Japan who has competed in various Grand Slam tournaments and achieved notable rankings on the ATP Tour.

Lastly, Taro Aso (born 1940) is a prominent Japanese politician who served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2008 to 2009. He has also held several other important positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance, and is known for his conservative political views.

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 Taro was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Taro first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/taro-meaning-and-history/.

"Taro first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/taro-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 April, 2025

Taro first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/taro-meaning-and-history/.

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