Misao is a Japanese given name that has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. The name is of Japanese origin and it has a significant meaning behind it.
The name Misao consists of two kanji characters, which are "美" (mi) meaning beauty or lovely, and "早" (sao) meaning early or quick. Therefore, the name Misao translates to "early beauty." It is often interpreted as someone who blooms early in life or someone who possesses inner beauty from a young age.
The name Misao has a rich history in Japan. It was popular during the Edo period (1603-1868), and many notable figures have borne this name throughout Japanese history. For instance, Misao Higaonna was a prominent Okinawa karate master who taught many famous martial artists, including Goju-ryu founder Chojun Miyagi.
Today, Misao continues to be a popular choice for parents in Japan and beyond, as it is seen as a beautiful and meaningful name that conveys positive qualities. Despite its popularity, Misao remains unique and not overly common, making it an attractive option for those looking for a distinctive yet meaningful name.
The name Misao has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. In the early 1900s, it was quite rare, with only a handful of babies being named Misao each year. From 1905 to 1916, there were between 5 and 24 births per year with the name Misao.
However, in the following decade (1917-1926), the popularity of Misao increased significantly. The number of babies named Misao nearly doubled from 24 in 1917 to 29 in 1924. But it seems that this spike was short-lived as the numbers decreased again after 1925.
From 1927 onwards, there were fewer than ten births per year with the name Misao until the early 1930s when there were only five babies named Misao in total over two years (1932).
In summary, while Misao was somewhat popular at certain periods between 1905 and 1924, it has since become quite rare as a baby name choice in the United States.