Kotaro is a Japanese given name that has gained popularity both in Japan and internationally in recent years. The name is of Japanese origin and its meaning can vary depending on the characters used to write it.
One common interpretation of Kotaro is "child of the south." This is because the character "ko" means "south" and "taro" is a suffix that often means "child of." Thus, Kotaro could be understood as a name that signifies a child who is lively and energetic, much like the vibrant and dynamic nature of the southern regions of Japan.
The name Kotaro has a long history in Japanese culture and literature. One of the most famous figures with this name is Kotaro Yoshida, a renowned manga artist who created popular series such as "Kochira Katsushika-ku Kaikan Jimu Center" (often abbreviated as "Kochikame"). This manga series, which follows the comedic adventures of a bumbling police officer named Kankichi Ryoutsu, has been extremely successful and has helped to popularize the name Kotaro among younger generations in Japan.
Another notable figure with the name Kotaro is Kotaro Takimoto, a prominent Japanese actor who was active during the Golden Age of Japanese cinema. Takimoto appeared in many films throughout his career and was particularly known for his roles in jidaigeki (period dramas) where he often played charismatic and skilled swordsmen.
Despite its popularity in Japan, the name Kotaro has also gained international recognition in recent years due to the growing influence of Japanese culture worldwide. Today, Kotaro can be found among children and adults alike, both within Japan and beyond its borders. Whether you're looking for a unique and meaningful name or simply appreciate Japanese culture, Kotaro is certainly worth considering.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe an interesting trend regarding the popularity of the name Kotaro in the United States over time.
The first recorded birth with the name Kotaro occurred in 1919, with a total of five babies being given this unique name that year. This number remained consistent for some decades until it began to fluctuate slightly around the turn of the millennium.
In the years between 1990 and 2003, there were between five and ten births each year with the name Kotaro. The highest number within this period was recorded in 1998 with a total of ten babies named Kotaro.
After 2004, we observe a noticeable increase in the popularity of the name Kotaro. Between 2006 and 2013, there were consistently eight or more births each year with this name. The peak occurred in 2010 with fifteen babies being given the name Kotaro.
However, after reaching its peak popularity, the frequency of the name Kotaro began to decrease once again. From 2014 onwards, the number of annual births with this name hovered around five or six each year, with a slight increase in recent years (seven births in 2023).
Overall, while Kotaro experienced periods of varying popularity over the past century, it appears that its highest peak occurred between 2006 and 2013. Despite fluctuations, there has been a consistent presence of the name Kotaro among newborns in the United States throughout this time period.