Fun Facts About the Name Tadao
- 295 babies named Tadao: U.S. records list 295 babies given the name Tadao from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Tadao Mean?
Tadao is a Japanese masculine given name. Its most common established sense is loyal man or faithful man, from writings such as 忠雄 and 忠夫. The first element, tada, represents 忠, meaning "loyalty" or "devotion." The second element, o, represents 雄, meaning "male" or "hero," or 夫, meaning "man" or "husband." Thus 忠雄 can be understood literally as "loyal hero" or "loyal male," while 忠夫 is closer to "loyal man" or "loyal husband." In Japanese, the same sound can be written with different characters, so a Tadao written with another first character, such as 唯 or 只 ("only, just"), would have a different literal sense. The name's meaning is therefore tied to the kanji chosen for it, though "loyal man" is the usual English gloss for the most familiar forms.
Tadao Name History & Origins
Tadao is a Japanese given name that uses kanji with native Japanese name readings. In the common writing 忠雄, the characters would be read Chūyū in ordinary Sino-Japanese compounds, but as a personal name they are read Tadao: 忠 gives the tada reading, and 雄 gives the o reading. The same pattern applies to 忠夫, where 夫 supplies o. This kind of special reading, called nanori, is a standard feature of Japanese personal names, so the name's sense is tied to its written form rather than to the sound alone.
The ending -o is a common masculine element in Japanese names, appearing in many names formed with 夫 or 雄. The element tada also appears in other male names such as Tadashi and Tadahiko, often written with 忠, "loyalty." In Japanese history, 忠 carried associations with loyal service and Confucian learning, and names containing it were used in warrior and scholarly families. A well-known modern bearer is the architect Tadao Ando (安藤忠雄), whose name uses the writing 忠雄; his fame is a familiar example of the name, not evidence that it began with him.
How Popular is the Name Tadao?
Tadao has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1920. Its best rank was #1,494 in 1923.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | #3,977 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1932 | #4,226 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1931 | #2,630 | 10 | 0.0010% |
| 1930 | #2,591 | 11 | 0.0010% |
| 1929 | #2,953 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1928 | #3,054 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1927 | #2,513 | 12 | 0.0011% |
| 1926 | #1,782 | 20 | 0.0018% |
| 1925 | #2,076 | 16 | 0.0014% |
| 1924 | #2,213 | 15 | 0.0013% |
| 1923 | #1,494 | 26 | 0.0024% |
| 1922 | #1,756 | 21 | 0.0019% |
| 1921 | #2,491 | 13 | 0.0012% |
| 1920 | #1,499 | 26 | 0.0024% |
| 1919 | #1,617 | 22 | 0.0022% |
| 1918 | #2,151 | 15 | 0.0015% |
| 1917 | #2,273 | 13 | 0.0014% |
| 1916 | #2,247 | 13 | 0.0015% |
| 1915 | #1,654 | 19 | 0.0022% |
| 1914 | #2,434 | 9 | 0.0014% |
| 1912 | #2,509 | 6 | 0.0014% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Tadao Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You like to control everyone within your influence, to shape things to your own liking. If positive, you develop high spirituality, as you have a God's protection. You are sensitive, affectionate, imaginative and cooperative, spiritually aware and prone to self-sacrifice. You can keep secrets and are a good diplomat. You may have healing and psychic powers. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Tadao's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Tadao's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.