Tatsuo is a Japanese given name of several potential meanings and origins. The most common origin for Tatsuo is as a combination of two kanji characters, "辰" (Tatsu) meaning "pig" or "rabbit," and "夫" (O) meaning "male." Thus, Tatsuo could be interpreted as "male pig" or "male rabbit," although these meanings are not considered appropriate for use in modern times due to their somewhat derogatory connotations.
Another possible origin for Tatsuo is as a combination of the kanji characters "辰" (Tatsu) meaning "east" and "夫" (O), resulting in the meaning "east male." This interpretation suggests that Tatsuo may have been used to indicate someone born in the east, though this usage is not well-attested.
The name Tatsuo has a significant history in Japan. One famous bearer of the name was Tatsuo Horie (1870-1953), a renowned Japanese painter and printmaker associated with the Shinshishisu movement. Known for his landscapes, figure studies, and portraits, Horie's work significantly influenced modern Japanese art.
Despite its historical usage and notable bearers, Tatsuo is not among the most common names in Japan today. It remains an interesting choice for parents looking to give their child a unique and culturally rich name with a significant past. However, due to its somewhat controversial origins, it may be advisable to choose another kanji combination if one wishes to avoid any potential negative connotations associated with Tatsuo's traditional meanings.
The name Tatsuo has seen a varied pattern of usage in the United States over several decades, as indicated by these statistics. In the year 1915, there were only six babies named Tatsuo, marking the beginning of this dataset.
In the following year, 1916, the number of newborns with the name Tatsuo increased significantly to fifty-seven births. This was the highest peak recorded in this period, suggesting a brief surge in popularity for the name.
The subsequent years showed fluctuations in the number of babies named Tatsuo. The figure dropped to ten births in 1917 but rose again to sixteen in 1918. However, it then decreased to eight in 1919 and seven in 1920, indicating a decline in popularity.
Between 1921 and 1924, the number of babies named Tatsuo hovered around ten births per year, with slight variations: twelve births in 1921, seven in 1922, nine in 1923, six in 1924. This suggests a stabilization in the name's usage during this period.
From 1925 to 1927, the numbers continued to fluctuate: eight births each year for 1925 and 1926, followed by thirty-nine in 1928, which was the second-highest recorded after 1916. This could indicate another brief period of increased popularity for the name Tatsuo.
However, from 1929 to 1930, the number of births dropped again to seven each year, and then jumped up to thirty-nine in 1928 before dropping back down to six in 1940. These fluctuations demonstrate the inconsistent popularity of the name Tatsuo over time.
Overall, based on these statistics from the United States, we can see that the name Tatsuo has not been consistently popular but rather has experienced periods of increased and decreased usage over several decades.