Hayato is a Japanese given name that has been traditionally used for males. The name has two main kanji characters, 速 and 早, which both mean 'fast' or 'quick'. Therefore, Hayato can be interpreted as 'quick man'. It is often associated with the early period of Japanese history, specifically the Yayoi period, where it was used by a clan believed to have migrated from the Asian mainland. Today, Hayato remains a popular name in Japan and has also gained international recognition due to its use by notable figures such as Hayato Sakurai, a professional mixed martial artist.
The name Hayato experienced a steady increase in popularity from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, peaking at 13 births in 2008. After 2008, its popularity fluctuated but remained relatively stable, with an average of around 7-8 births per year until 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 240 births named Hayato between 1986 and 2023.