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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Mako — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Makkari|Makoa
Japanese◈ Unisex · 58% boy · 42% girl↓ Fading

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Mako

◈

MAH-koh · 2 syllables

Share Mako:
Compare with another name
Boy
#4970
↓ Fading
Boy
#4970
Popularity score: 14
↓ Fading
Peak
#3950 in 2022
5yr
-894 ranks
Velocity
-894
Birth frequency
5.6 per 1,000,000 births
Girl
#11717
Popularity score: 5
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#11717 in 2024
5yr
+4979 ranks
Velocity
+4979
Birth frequency
2.2 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

BOY
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #4970 · Falling since 2020

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Japanese boy names
Mako

Popularity score: 14  ·  SSA Rank: #4970

GIRL
Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20222024

Rank #11717 · Rising since 2022

All US girl names
Top 200 girl names
Japanese girl names
Mako

Popularity score: 5  ·  SSA Rank: #11717

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
40
Higher than 40% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↓ Fading
-894 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
11 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Mako scores lower overall — the popularity trend is fading.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
32
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
JapaneseNatureUnisex2-syllableModernMarineShortStrongCoolRare
Character
fierce determinationsharp instinctswift actionpredatory focusrelentless drive
People with this name

Qualities shared by notable Makos

athleticdeterminedprofessionalcompetitivecommanding
STRONG
High confidence

Mako is a Japanese unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #4970 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↓ Fading · -894 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#4970 · very rare
Mako at a Glance
Meaning:True or genuine (真). Often associated with sharks in Japanese marine culture, symbolizing strength and grace.
Language root:Japanese
Peak rank:#3950 in 2022
5yr change:-894 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #4970 · Girl #11717
Notable bearers
Mako Iwamatsu
Actor (Conan the Barbarian, Aquaman)
Mako Comrie
Former NHL player
Similar Sound
Mako◈TacoLakoMayoKakoRaku
Similar Style
Kai◈Koa◈Sora◈RikuAkioIsamu
Works well with
Kai◈Akira◈Sora◈Yuki◈Asher◈River◈
You Might Also Like
Kai◈
English · #76
→ Stable
Koa◈
Polynesian · #292
→ Stable
Riku
Japanese · #4391
↑↑ Surging
Akio
Japanese · #4060
↓ Fading
Isamu
Japanese · —
→ Stable
Kobe
Japanese · #409
→ Stable
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Mako · Overview
Summary

Mako is a Japanese unisex name with cooling SSA momentum. It ranked #4970 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 5/100 → Stable

Strengths
Works for any sex
58% boy · 42% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature · Modern character
Mako carries a cool, bold, grounded quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Popularity declining
Rank has dropped 894 positions in the last year. Consider whether this trajectory matters for your decision.
Domain taken
mako.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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