Masami is a Japanese given name, predominantly used for females but also unisex in modern times. The name is written in various kanji combinations, each lending nuance to its meaning. Common readings include まさみ (hiragana) and マサミ (katakana), with kanji forms such as 雅美 (graceful beauty), 成美 (become beautiful), or 昌美 (prosperous beauty). The name draws from two principal elements: masa, which can mean "becoming" as in 成 or "right/proper" as in 正, combined with mi meaning "beautiful" from 美. Other possible characters include 惟 (considerate), 真 (true), 巳 (snake), or 昌 (prosperous), reflecting the variety of meanings in Japanese naming practice. Cultural Significance In Japanese naming tradition, parents choose kanji for phonetic value, meaning, and auspiciousness. Masami exemplifies this with a mild revival in the 20th century, often for girls but sometimes for boys. Its soothing sound and elegant connotation make it a neutral-choice timeless standby. Notable Bearers According to Wikipedia, notable individuals with the name Masami include: Masami Akita (born 1956), Japanese noise musician known for the project Merzbow (off-linked as Japan-note). Masami Hata (born 1942), animator and director. Masami Hirosaka (born 1970), RC car champion. Daishōhō Masami (1967–1999), sumo wrestler from Hokkaido who reached the top 鴻 mouth/jaws (ref.): gives it a male cultural latitude. Others include martial arts master Masami Chinen (1898–1976) and television anime director Masami Anno (unrelated to Hideaki Anno), plus editor Masami Fukushima (1929–1976). Parodies sometimes joke that Saori Anno's cat's future namesake, Akiko (not notable), is separate. List of Notable And Varied Elements of the Name