Find out how popular the first name Yoshio has been for the last 41 years (from 1981 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yoshio by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Yoshio is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yoshio.

The history of the first name Yoshio

The name Yoshio has its origins in Japan, derived from the Japanese language. It is a masculine given name that has been in use for centuries.

The name Yoshio is composed of two kanji characters: "yo" (良) meaning "good" or "excellent," and "shi" (志) meaning "aspiration" or "ambition." Collectively, the name can be interpreted as "good ambition" or "noble aspiration."

While the exact origins of the name are uncertain, it is believed to have emerged during the Heian period (794-1185 CE) in Japan, a time of significant cultural and artistic development. During this period, naming conventions became more formalized, and names were often chosen to convey positive traits or aspirations for the child.

Yoshio has been recorded in various historical documents and literary works throughout Japanese history. One notable early reference is in the Taiheiki, a historical narrative from the 14th century that chronicles the Nanboku-chō period (1336-1392 CE), where a character named Yoshio is mentioned.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Yoshio. One of the earliest recorded is Yoshio Minamoto (1142-1214 CE), a Japanese samurai and military commander who served under the Minamoto clan during the Genpei War.

Another significant figure is Yoshio Nishi (1801-1867 CE), a Japanese scholar and educator who played a crucial role in the modernization of Japan during the late Edo and early Meiji periods. He established one of the first modern schools in Japan, known as the Bansho Shirabesho.

In the 20th century, Yoshio Markino (1869-1956 CE) was a renowned Japanese artist and author who gained recognition for his woodblock prints and writings on Japanese culture, particularly his book "The Brush Mind" published in 1922.

Yoshio Tanaka (1915-2009 CE) was a notable Japanese mathematician and professor who made significant contributions to the field of algebraic geometry and was awarded the Asahi Prize in 1985.

More recently, Yoshio Sakurai (born 1943 CE) is a Japanese professional shogi (Japanese chess) player who has held the prestigious titles of Meijin and Kisei, demonstrating his excellence in the game.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Yoshio throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Japan.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yoshio, 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!