Toru is a Japanese masculine given name. The name is of unknown origin and meaning. It is often believed to be derived from the Japanese word "toru" which means "to take" or "to receive". However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.
The name Toru first gained popularity in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912). During this time, many Japanese people adopted Western-style given names as part of a wider trend towards modernization. Toru was one of the most popular choices among these new Western-inspired names.
One famous bearer of the name Toru is Toru Dodo (1845-1900), who was a prominent Japanese journalist and politician during the Meiji period. Dodo played an important role in promoting freedom of speech and the press in Japan, and he is often referred to as the "father of Japanese journalism".
Today, Toru remains a popular choice for boys' names in Japan. It is often associated with modernity and progress due to its origins during the Meiji period. Despite its unknown origin and meaning, the name Toru has become an enduring part of Japanese naming culture.
The statistics show that the name Toru was quite popular during the early to mid-20th century in the United States, with a total of 60 births recorded between the years 1917 and 1927. However, it seems that its popularity began to decline after this period, as there were no recorded births of the name Toru from 1928 until 1995, when another five babies were given this name.
Despite the fluctuations in popularity over time, it is interesting to note that the name Toru has consistently had a small but steady presence in the United States. This suggests that while it may not have been one of the most popular names during these periods, there has still been a consistent demand for it among parents.