All about the name

Haruo

Male

« Haruo is a Japanese given name of uncertain origins, potentially derived from the kanji characters for 'spring' and 'husband,' popularized during the Meiji era. »

#9073 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Haruo is a Japanese given name of uncertain origins. It has been suggested that it may come from the kanji characters 春 (haru), meaning "spring" or "season," and 夫 (o), meaning "husband." However, there is no definitive source to confirm this etymology. The name Haruo became popular in Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912) as part of a wider trend towards using kanji characters with positive connotations for given names. It was often used for boys and had a particular association with the military due to its strong, martial sound. There are several notable figures throughout Japanese history who have borne the name Haruo. One such example is Haruo Reischauer (1910-1980), an American scholar of Japanese language and culture who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1961 to 1966. In recent years, Haruo has seen a decline in popularity among Japanese parents naming their children. However, it remains a recognizable name with historical significance in Japanese culture.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Haruo since 1880

Total births
376
Total since 1880
Peak year
1921
32 births
in 1937
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years