The baby name Isao is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /i.sa.o/ (Japanese); "EE-sah-oh" (English respelling).
Isao is Japanese in Origin.
The baby name Isao is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /i.sa.o/ (Japanese); "EE-sah-oh" (English respelling).
Isao is Japanese in Origin.
Isao is a Japanese masculine given name pronounced ee-sah-oh. Its meaning depends on the kanji chosen, often centering on merit and honor: 功 conveys achievement or merit, while 勲 (also written 勳) denotes decorated distinction. Other spellings such as 伊佐夫 or 功男 ("man of merit") also occur. The name may also be rendered phonemically in hiragana (いさお) or katakana (イサオ).
Use surged during Japan’s Shōwa era, when virtue-laden names for boys were especially favored, and it now feels timeless yet slightly vintage. Well-known bearers include composer Tomita Isao, director Takahata Isao, and golfer Aoki Isao, all reinforcing its associations with accomplishment. Romanization is typically Isao, with variation found mainly in kanji choice rather than spelling; diminutives are rare in Japanese, though Isa can appear informally abroad. Related virtue names include Isamu ("courage") and Osamu ("discipline"), and parents often select specific characters to emphasize desired qualities.
| Isao Kimura Isao Kimura was a Japanese actor best known for his role as Katsushirō in Akira Kurosawa's classic film 'Seven Samurai'. He also appeared in 'Ikiru' and 'The Bad Sleep Well', showcasing his versatility and talent in Japanese cinema. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP | 0 | #67 | 11 | 4,057 | |
| PH | 0 | #110 | 1 | 5,607 | |
| Switzerland | Boys | 2024 | #135 | 3 | 1,769 |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #144 | 167 | 7,909 |
| EC | Boys | 0 | #246 | 1 | 3,322 |
| TW | Boys | 0 | #253 | 4 | 7,111 |
| SG | 0 | #282 | 1 | 11,010 | |
| CN | Boys | 0 | #331 | 1 | 9,639 |
| PL | Boys | 0 | #340 | 1 | 6,459 |
| France | Boys | 2021 | #342 | 46 | 2,865 |
| BO | 0 | #408 | 1 | 6,868 | |
| ZA | 0 | #474 | 1 | 14,421 | |
| RU | Boys | 0 | #526 | 1 | 12,621 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #556 | 2 | 12,905 |
| BH | 0 | #587 | 1 | 17,937 | |
| BO | Boys | 0 | #621 | 2 | 9,244 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #683 | 15 | 17,960 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #783 | 3 | 12,213 |
| United States | Boys | 2016 | #893 | 5 | 7,365 |
| PE | Boys | 0 | #923 | 4 | 14,506 |
| EG | Boys | 0 | #925 | 1 | 15,035 |
| MX | Boys | 0 | #962 | 21 | 16,355 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #1,039 | 1 | 16,750 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,176 | 7 | 25,439 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,271 | 2 | 25,619 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,691 | 1 | 28,008 |
Isao is popular in 22 countries — most recent births per country:
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