Toru is a unisex Japanese given name that has gained global recognition due to its association with prominent figures such as composer Toru Takemitsu and musician Toru Yamashita. Derived from the kanji characters 通 (tō) meaning 'through' and 郎 (rou) meaning 'son', the name Toru suggests a straightforward, direct approach to life. It is often shortened affectionately to 'Toru-kun' for males and 'Toru-chan' for females.
The name Toru had a notable peak in popularity between 1917 and 1925 with a total of 45 births during this period. However, there was a significant drop-off in usage afterwards, with only 15 births recorded from 1923 to 1995.