toshio

Toshio is a masculine Japanese given name. The meaning depends on the kanji used to write it; common elements in the first part, read as "toshi," can convey ideas such as year, age, talent, or longevity, while the second part, read as "o," is often represented by characters meaning man or male. Because many kanji combinations are possible, Toshio can carry a variety of nuanced meanings. When written in kana, it is としお.

The name has been used in Japan for many generations. It was particularly common in the mid-20th century, and while less frequent today, it remains in use for traditional or family reasons. It is typically considered a masculine given name.

Notable people with the given name include the artist Toshio Saeki, known for a distinctive surreal, horror-inspired body of artwork. In popular culture, Toshio appears as the name of the young male ghost in the Ju-On/The Grudge film series, illustrating the name’s continued presence in Japanese media and global audiences.

In summary, Toshio is a traditional Japanese male name with flexible kanji spellings and a history of use across generations, appearing in real-life figures as well as fiction.