UK boy's name
Mako
A feminine name of Japanese origin meaning "truth" or "sincerity".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mako is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Mako popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2008 to 2012. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Mako. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mako ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 3 boys were registered as Mako.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mako as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4805
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Mako mean?
The name Mako has its origins in the Japanese language and culture. It is derived from the Japanese word "mako," which means shark or true shark. The name is believed to have been first used during the Edo period in Japan, which spanned from the early 17th century to the mid-19th century.
Mako was initially used as a name for boys, with the intention of bestowing qualities associated with sharks, such as strength, resilience, and fierceness. In Japanese mythology, sharks were often revered as powerful and majestic creatures, making the name a desirable choice for parents seeking to instill these traits in their sons.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mako can be found in the historical records of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled over Japan during the Edo period. The name appears in several family registries and official documents from that era, indicating its widespread use among the samurai and noble classes.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mako. One of the most famous is Mako Iwamatsu (1915-2006), a Japanese-American actor known for his roles in films such as "The Crimson Kimono" and "Midway." Another prominent figure was Mako Sasaki (1900-1961), a Japanese baseball player who played for the Yomiuri Giants and was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.
In the world of sports, Mako Nomachi (born 1982) is a Japanese swimmer who has competed in multiple Olympic Games and won several medals at the Asian Games and Pan Pacific Championships. In the realm of literature, Mako Yoshikawa (1908-1983) was a renowned Japanese poet and author known for her works exploring themes of feminism and social commentary.
Another notable figure was Mako Kagaku (1926-2010), a Japanese actor and voice actor who lent his talents to numerous anime and video game productions, including the popular Dragon Ball series, where he voiced the character of Master Roshi.
As the name Mako has traveled beyond its Japanese origins, it has gained popularity in other cultures and languages, often retaining its association with strength, resilience, and a connection to the natural world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mako over time
The chart below shows babies named Mako registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mako, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mako by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mako was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4805 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Mako
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Mako: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mako in the UK right now?
In 2012, Mako was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Mako most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 3 babies registered as Mako in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mako?
A feminine name of Japanese origin meaning "truth" or "sincerity".
How many people are called Mako in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Mako across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.