Masaru

Masaru (まさる, マサル) is a masculine Japanese given name. The name derives primarily from two kanji elements: masaru meaning "victory" (勝) or masaru meaning "excellence" (優). However, other kanji such as 大 ("large"), 将/將 ("commander"), and 太 ("thick, great") can also be used, as well as hiragana or katakana spellings. This flexibility reflects a common pattern in Japanese naming, where a name's phonetic form is constant but its written meaning varies with the chosen characters.

Etymology and Cultural Significance

The elements 勝 (victory) and 優 (excellence) are auspicious and are frequently desired virtues assigned to children, particularly sons. The name belongs to a group of Japanese names that end in -ru, a verb-like suffix that implies an active quality (e.g., Katsu, also meaning "victory"). Cognate names in other East Asian languages include Chinese Sheng, Korean Seung, and Vietnamese Thắng, all of which use shared Sino-Xenic vocabulary for "victory". Another related Japanese reading is Yū (or Yuu), which can also mean "excellence" or "superiority".

Notable Bearers

Several prominent individuals have borne the name Masaru:

• Masaru Ibuka (大) — co-founder of Sony Corporation, a major electronics industrialist.
• Masaru Emoto (勝) — Japanese author known for his controversial works on water crystals.
• Masaru Hayami (優) — the 28th Governor of the Bank of Japan.
• Grant Masaru Imahara — an American electronics and radio control expert, best known for his work on MythBusters.
• Masaru Furukawa (勝) — Japanese swimmer and Olympic gold medalist.
• Gagamaru Masaru (勝) — but rather because he is a Georgian sumo wrestler.
• Inoue Masaru (勝) — a Japanese samurai and military engineer known as the "father of Japanese railways".
• Masaru Ikeda (勝) — a Japanese actor and voice actor.
• Masaru Akiba (勝) — a Japanese football player.

This list includes figures from a wide range of fields—industry, science, sports, entertainment, and history—illustrating the name's broad cultural ubiquity.

Distribution and Popularity

While not currently among the most popular names in Japan, Masaru has maintained consistent use due to its positive connotations and traditional sound. It is recognized outside Japan through notable individuals, particularly those in international media like Grant Imahara and Masaru Emoto.

Summary

• Meaning: Victory, excellenced to much
• Origin: Japanese
• Type: Given name
• Usage regions: Japan