Masako as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Masako

What is the meaning of the name Masako ?

The baby name Masako is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced MAH-sah-koh (Japanese: /masako/; syllables: ma-sa-ko).

Masako is Japanese in Origin.

Masako is a Japanese feminine given name (MAH-sah-koh) built from masa + ko “child.” The first element can be written with various kanji - 正 “proper/correct,” 雅 “elegant,” 真/眞 “true/real,” 昌 “prosperous,” 政 “governance,” and others - so the meaning shifts accordingly, commonly read as “elegant/true child,” “proper child,” or “prosperous child.” Choice of characters allows families to tailor auspicious nuance while retaining a classic sound.

The name flourished in Japan through the early–mid 20th century, when -ko names dominated, and today it reads as timeless and dignified though less frequently bestowed. Prominent bearers include Empress Masako of Japan (née Owada), voice actor Masako Nozawa, novelist Masako Togawa, actress Masako Natsume, and politician Masako Mori. Variants center on kanji selection; the Hepburn romanization is Masako, with nicknames such as Mako, Masa, and Ma-chan. Related forms using the masa element include Masami, Masayo, and Masae; masculine counterparts include Masao and Masaki.