Shintaro is a Japanese male given name. Its origin can be traced back to ancient Japan, where it was used as a title for high-ranking officials in the imperial court. The name Shintaro is composed of two elements: "shin" which means "new", and "taro" which means "an abundance of". Therefore, the meaning of Shintaro is "abundance of new things".
The history of Shintaro as a given name begins during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century. As Japan opened up to the West and began modernizing, many people adopted Western-style names for themselves and their children. Shintaro was one such name that gained popularity among the Japanese elite during this time.
One notable historical figure with the name Shintaro is Shintaro Ishihara, a prominent politician and former governor of Tokyo. Born in 1932, Ishihara served as a member of the House of Representatives for over four decades before becoming governor in 2001. He was known for his strong stance on various issues such as crime prevention and immigration policy.
Today, Shintaro continues to be used as a given name among Japanese families, although it is not one of the most popular choices. Parents may choose this name for their sons because of its positive meaning or simply because they like how it sounds. Regardless of why parents choose it, Shintaro remains a unique and meaningful name with deep roots in Japanese history.
Statistics on the given name Shintaro in the United States show a consistent yet limited presence over the past few decades. The name first appeared in the Social Security Administration's records for newborns in 1990, with five births that year. This number remained constant for the next six years, with five births each in 1991 and again in 1996 and 1997. There was a slight increase in popularity in the year 2000, with six babies named Shintaro born during this time.
In total, over these five years, there were 26 newborns given the name Shintaro across the United States. While this number is not large enough to indicate widespread use of the name, it does suggest that Shintaro has been a choice for parents looking for a unique and distinctive name for their child during this period.
It's interesting to note that despite its limited popularity in terms of sheer numbers, the consistent presence of the name Shintaro over these years suggests that it has held steady appeal among a small but dedicated group of parents. Furthermore, the slight increase in births in 2000 could indicate a potential growth in popularity for this name.
While Shintaro may not be a household name in the United States, its consistent appearance over several years indicates that it holds some significance and has been chosen by parents for their children during this period. As with any unique or uncommon name, choosing Shintaro likely reflects individual preferences and personal choices among new parents.