Kōzaburō

Kōzaburō is a traditional Japanese male given name. Like many Japanese names, its meaning can vary significantly depending on the kanji characters used to write it. The 'Kō' (光, 幸, 康, 孝, 浩, 晃, etc.) component often relates to light, happiness, peace, filial piety, or vastness. The 'za' (三) typically means 'three' or 'third', and 'burō' (郎) is a common suffix for male names, meaning 'son' or 'man', often implying 'firstborn son' or 'eldest son' when combined with a number. While 'saburō' (三郎) specifically means 'third son', 'zaburō' can be a variant or a component in names that don't strictly follow numerical order for birth.

The combination of these elements creates a name that conveys positive attributes and a sense of lineage. Names ending in -burō were historically very common in Japan, particularly before the mid-20th century, and often indicated birth order within a family (e.g., Ichirō for first son, Jirō for second, Saburō for third). While less common for newborns today, Kōzaburō retains a classic and distinguished feel.