Nao is of Japanese origin, derived from the verb 'nao' meaning "to navigate" or "to pilot". It is typically given to boys, but can also be used for girls in some cases. The name is composed of two characters, '那' (na) and '男' (o), with '那' representing 'there' or 'that', and '男' meaning 'man'. Therefore, Nao could be interpreted as "that man" or "that one who navigates". In Japan, the name is often associated with the sea or travel due to its verb origin. Nao has gained international popularity in recent years, likely due to its simplicity and unique sound. However, it remains relatively uncommon outside of Japan.
The name Nao experienced varied popularity over the years, with peaks in usage between 1997 and 2003. However, it has seen a consistent decline since then, with the most recent years showing only five births each time. Overall, there have been ninety-five babies named Nao born from 1980 to 2021.