Minoru

Minoru is a masculine given name of Japanese origin. It is used in Japan and among Japanese communities abroad. The meaning of Minoru varies with the kanji chosen to write it, with associations that can include growth, fruitfulness, harvest, or truth. For example, the kanji 稔 is read minoru and evokes ripening or harvest, while 実 can also be read minoru and conveys fruit, reality, or truth. The name can be written in other combinations as well, each granting a different nuance. The pronunciation remains simple and stable across dialects.

In modern usage, Minoru is a traditional name that has appeared across eras in literature, news, and everyday life. It is predominantly a male name in Japan but can appear among diaspora communities with romanized forms maintained in family records, passports, and school contexts. In popular culture, characters named Minoru appear in manga, anime, and film, reflecting its enduring presence in Japanese naming conventions.

There is no single famous person associated with the name; rather, many individuals named Minoru have made contributions in fields such as politics, sports, academia, and the arts. Because kanji choices influence meaning heavily, parents may select Minoru to express attributes they wish to award a child, from maturity to fruitfulness to truth.