Isao

Isao is a masculine given name of Japanese origin. The meaning of the name varies with the kanji used to write it, and there is no single fixed interpretation. It is used predominantly in Japan and among people of Japanese descent.

In addition to kanji spellings, Isao can be written in kana as いさお or イサオ. The choice of characters can convey different virtues, such as courage, achievement, or peace, though there is no universal standard meaning.

Notable people named Isao include:

- Isao Takahata, a Japanese animator and director who co-founded Studio Ghibli and directed films such as Grave of the Fireflies and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

- Isao Tomita, a Japanese composer and pioneer of electronic music known for his synthesizer-based interpretations of classical works.

- Isao Aoki, a Japanese professional golfer recognized for a long career on the Japan Golf Tour and for his impact on Japanese golf.

- Isao Hashimoto, a Japanese artist known for a 1995 time-lapse map depicting nuclear explosions in the 20th century.

The name Isao has been borne by figures across arts and sports in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting its lasting presence in Japanese naming traditions.