Sato

Sato is a Japanese surname and, less commonly, a given name. In Japan, it is one of the most common surnames and is typically written in kanji as 佐藤, which makes it the most frequent surname in the country. The name is also found among Japanese people abroad and in diaspora communities.

Etymology and forms. The standard form 佐藤 is a compound of two kanji: 佐, meaning “to assist” or “help,” and 藤, meaning “wisteria.” The origin of the surname is ancient and linked to multiple lineages; it is not tied to a single place. Variants include 佐都 and 佐東 in kanji, and romanizations such as Satō, Satoh, and Satou. The macron in Satō indicates a long vowel; in many contexts, the name is written as Sato.

Distribution and usage. Sato is extraordinarily prevalent in Japan, and as a result, many people with different occupations bear the name. Outside Japan, bearers of the surname are part of the Japanese diaspora, including communities in the Americas and Oceania. In given-name usage, Sato is less common but may appear in non-Japanese contexts alongside other naming conventions.

See also. Because of its frequency, Sato appears in fiction, media, and scholarly works as a representative Japanese surname. Care should be taken to distinguish individuals with the surname Sato in research and reporting.