How Many People Are Named Nao?

Complete statistics for the name Nao: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Nao
Very Rare
Japanese

Nao means 'wave' in Japanese, making it a name that evokes movement and energy. Only 116 people named Nao live in the US today, which means 1 in 2,837,249 Americans share this rare name. The majority, 73%, are under 30, showing it's a genuinely modern choice.

~170
Living in US
1 in 1,949,702
Americans
2003
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Wave
🌐
Origin
Japanese
🌟
Lucky Day
Friday
💎
Lucky Stone
Amethyst
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 3
Personality Traits
Energetic Dynamic Innovative
3
Life Path Number

Life-path number 3 symbolizes creativity, self-expression, and joy.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

68,196
Worldwide Bearers
#14,168
Global Rank
🇯🇵 Japan
60,708
🇻🇳 Vietnam
2,053
🇹🇭 Thailand
1,252
🇰🇭 Cambodia
837
🇺🇸 United States
785
🇵🇰 Pakistan
439
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
405
🇬🇷 Greece
258
🇵🇭 Philippines
225
🇮🇳 India
118

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
23 (20%)
♀ Female
94 (80%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 24
86
Would be under 30 (73%)
32
Would be 30–60 (27%)
0
Would be over 60 (0%)

All 118 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 2003

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Slowly rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
58
Classic Feel
18
Modern Appeal
100
International
99

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Nao Through the Generations

Nao peaked in popularity in 2003 with 13 births, but its usage has been slowly rising since then. As of now, there are 116 people named Nao living in the United States, with the average age being 24. This indicates that Nao is primarily a name chosen by younger parents, with 86 individuals under 30 years old, 32 between 30 and 60, and none over 60. The name's relatively recent rise suggests it's part of a newer generation of names gaining traction.

⭐ Famous People Named Nao

Nao is a common feminine Japanese given name which is occasionally used by males. It is also a short name for Naoko, Naomi, Naoto, etc.…

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Nao

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Nao's Japanese roots

📄 About the Name Nao

How Many People Have the Name Nao?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 170 people in the United States currently share the name Nao. That works out to roughly 1 in every 1,949,702 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.

Is Nao a Common or Rare Name?

Nao is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Nao Mean?

Nao means "wave" and comes from Japanese origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 3.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Nao in SSA data, approximately 20% are male and 80% are female.

When Was Nao Most Popular?

The name Nao reached peak popularity in 2003, with 13 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Nao?

Approximately 170 people named Nao live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 170. That works out to roughly 1 in 1,949,702 Americans.

Is Nao a rare name?

Nao is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 1,949,702 Americans has this name.

What does the name Nao mean?

Nao means "wave" and comes from Japanese origins.

Is Nao more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 20% of people named Nao are male and 80% are female.

When was Nao most popular?

Nao peaked in 2003 with 13 births that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US170
All-Time Births170
1 in X1 in 1,949,702
RarityVery Rare
GenderFemale
Avg Age24
Peak Year2003
World Rank#14,168
Male %20%
Female %80%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.