Find out how popular the first name Wataru has been for the last 27 years (from 1989 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Wataru by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Wataru is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Wataru.

The history of the first name Wataru

The given name Wataru has its origins in Japanese culture and language. It is believed to have first emerged during the Heian period of Japanese history, which spanned from the late 8th to the late 12th centuries.

Wataru is derived from the Japanese verb "wataru," which means "to cross" or "to go beyond." The name carries a symbolic meaning of overcoming obstacles, progress, and achievement. It may have been initially given to children as a wish for them to overcome challenges and make advancements in life.

Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wataru can be found in historical documents and literary works from the Kamakura period, which followed the Heian period. One notable example is the mention of a samurai warrior named Wataru Sasaki in the 13th-century war chronicle "Hōgen Monogatari."

Throughout Japanese history, several individuals with the name Wataru have left their mark. One such figure was Wataru Watari (1835-1888), a prominent educator and scholar who played a significant role in modernizing Japan's education system during the Meiji Restoration.

Another notable individual was Wataru Misaka (1923-2019), a Japanese-American basketball player who became the first person of Asian descent to play in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In the realm of literature, Wataru Tsurumi (1936-2022) was a renowned Japanese author and essayist known for his works exploring social and political issues in post-war Japan.

The name Wataru has also been carried by prominent figures in the world of martial arts. Wataru Ohashi (1962-), a Japanese judoka, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is considered one of the greatest judo practitioners of all time.

Additionally, Wataru Sakata (1947-2008) was a Japanese professional wrestler and martial artist who gained fame in the United States and Mexico, where he competed under the ring name "The Great Muta."

While the name Wataru continues to be popular in Japan, its use has also spread to other parts of the world, reflecting the cultural influence of Japanese traditions and values.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!