Tetsu
An uncommon Japanese masculine name meaning "iron" or "strength".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Tetsu. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Tetsu today is around 28 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tetsu births was 1998 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tetsu. 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
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Tetsu. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
1998
5 babies that year
Average age
28
years old
1998 SSA rank
#11,141
Tracked since 1998
Popularity
Tetsu: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Tetsu 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 Tetsu during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Tetsu
The name Tetsu originates from Japan and is derived from the Japanese word "tetsu" meaning "iron" or "steel." It is a masculine name that has been used in Japan for centuries, reflecting the cultural significance of metalworking and the samurai tradition.
The earliest recorded use of the name Tetsu can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185 AD) in Japan. During this time, the name was associated with strength, resilience, and unwavering determination, qualities highly valued in samurai warriors. The name was often given to sons born into samurai families, with the hope that they would grow up to embody these virtues.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Tetsu was Tetsu no Sukehiro, a renowned samurai who lived during the late Heian period. He was known for his exceptional swordsmanship and loyalty to his lord. Another notable figure was Tetsu Hiaga, a skilled sword maker from the Kamakura period (1185-1333 AD), whose blades were highly prized for their quality and craftsmanship.
During the Edo period (1603-1868 AD), the name Tetsu gained further prominence. Tetsu Kawamata, a celebrated painter and calligrapher, was born in 1718. His works captured the essence of traditional Japanese art and were highly sought after by the nobility and wealthy merchants.
In the modern era, the name Tetsu has been carried by several influential figures. Tetsu Katayama (1887-1978) was a prominent Japanese politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the post-World War II period. Tetsu Yahara (1904-1982) was a Japanese naval officer who played a crucial role in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.
Another notable individual with the name Tetsu was Tetsu Araki (1932-2015), a renowned Japanese industrial designer. His innovative designs for consumer electronics and household appliances had a significant impact on the global market, earning him numerous awards and accolades.
The name Tetsu continues to be a popular choice for Japanese parents, reflecting the enduring cultural significance of strength, resilience, and craftsmanship. While its usage has evolved over time, the name remains a symbol of traditional Japanese values and the country's rich history.
People
Tetsu + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tetsu as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tetsu: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tetsu?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tetsu 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 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Tetsu a common name?
We classify Tetsu as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tetsu most popular?
The single biggest year for Tetsu was 1998, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tetsu is about 28 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 Tetsu in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Tetsu a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tetsu 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 Tetsu still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Tetsu 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 Tetsu 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 the name Tetsu?
If you just want to know how many people have the name Tetsu, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.