Wataru is a Japanese given name that has been traditionally used for both males and females. The name originates from the ancient Japanese language, where it was written using kanji characters.
The meaning of Wataru can vary depending on which kanji are used to write the name. One common interpretation is "circumvent" or "surpass," with the kanji characters わたり being read as "wataru." This meaning suggests that someone named Wataru might be expected to overcome obstacles and achieve great things.
Another possible interpretation of Wataru is "across" or "to cross over," using the kanji characters 渡り. This meaning emphasizes movement, adaptability, and the ability to navigate different situations with ease.
Historically, the name Wataru has been used in Japan for centuries, but it gained popularity during the Edo period (1603-1868) as a given name for both boys and girls. It was often chosen by parents who wanted their children to possess qualities like resilience, adaptability, and determination.
Today, Wataru remains a popular choice among Japanese families looking for a traditional yet meaningful name for their child. While its usage has waned slightly in recent decades due to the rise of Western-inspired names, it is still considered an established and respected name within Japanese culture.
In popular culture, some notable figures with the name Wataru include Watarase Wataru, a famous painter from the Taisho era (1912-1926), and Watarase Yumiko, his daughter who also became a renowned artist. Additionally, the name appears in literature, such as in Natsume Soseki's novel "Wagahai wa neko de aru" ("I Am a Cat"), where one of the characters is named Wataru.
In conclusion, Wataru is a traditional Japanese given name with varied meanings related to overcoming obstacles and navigating different situations. Its rich history and cultural significance make it an enduring choice for parents seeking meaningful names for their children.
The statistics provided show the number of births with the name Wataru in the United States over a span of several decades, from 1915 to 2015.
From the earliest recorded year, which is 1915, there were 7 babies named Wataru. The name's popularity seemed to increase slightly around the late 1910s and early 1920s, with a peak of 15 births in 1919 and then decreasing to 5 births each in 1921 and 1922.
After that, the number of babies named Wataru fluctuated between 5 and 12 births per year until the late 1980s. There was another small peak in the early 1990s, with 8 births each in 1989 and 1990.
From 1994 to 1999, there were consistently between 5 to 7 babies named Wataru born each year. The number then dropped back down to 5 births per year for both 2002 and 2003, before increasing again to 6 births in 2006.
The most recent data from 2015 shows that there were still 5 babies named Wataru born in the United States that year. Overall, since 1915, there have been a total of 142 babies named Wataru born in the U.S., based on the available statistics.
It's fascinating to observe how the popularity of this name has ebbed and flowed over the decades. While it may not be one of the most common names, it does have a steady presence in the United States' birth records, indicating that there is still a group of parents who choose Wataru as their child's name.