Masao as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Masao

What is the meaning of the name Masao ?

The baby name Masao is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced MAH-sah-oh (Japanese IPA: [ma.sa.o]).

Masao is Japanese in Origin.

Masao is a classic Japanese masculine given name, written in kana as まさお/マサオ and in romaji as Masao or Masaō. Its meaning depends on the kanji chosen; common forms include 正雄 (“upright, just” + “man/hero”), 政夫 (“govern/politics” + “man”), 雅雄 (“elegant” + “man”), 昌夫 (“prosperous” + “man”), and 正男 (“upright” + “man”). The first element masa conveys ideas of correctness, governance, elegance, or prosperity, while -o typically denotes “man,” “male,” or “hero.”

It rose to strong nationwide use in the early to mid‑20th century, peaking among men of the Shōwa era, and remains familiar through figures such as philosopher Masao Maruyama and filmmaker Masao Adachi. In diaspora communities (Hawaii, Brazil, North America) the name kept the Masao spelling. Short forms include Masa or Mas. Related male names built on the same masa element include Masashi, Masaru, Masaki, Masato, and Masayoshi; a feminine counterpart is Masayo.