Isamu
Every Isamu since 1912 — 562 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Isamu
Isamu is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1912, 562 American babies have been named Isamu. Its peak came in 1922, when 40 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Isamu stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Isamu year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | #11,375 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 8 | #9,309 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11,606 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13,094 |
| 2006 | 7 | #9,975 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #11,240 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11,054 |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,101 |
| 1930 | 21 | #1,623 |
| 1925 | 39 | #1,132 |
| 1920 | 30 | #1,339 |
| 1915 | 17 | #1,744 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Isamu
- Isamu Akasaki Physicist · b. 1929
- Isamu Noguchi Sculptor · 1904–1988
- Isamu Sonoda Politician · b. 1946
- Isamu Matsuura Soccer player · b. 1991
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Isamu in 2025?
Isamu did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Isamu?
562 babies have been named Isamu in the United States since 1912, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Isamu most popular?
Isamu peaked in 1922, when 40 newborns received the name.
Is Isamu a boy or girl name?
Isamu is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Isamu rising or falling?
Isamu is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Isamu?
Well-known people named Isamu include Isamu Akasaki (physicist), Isamu Noguchi (sculptor), Isamu Sonoda (politician).