Saitou

Saitou is an alternate transcription of the Japanese surname Saitō, written with the kanji 斉藤 or 斎藤. The name ranks among the 20th and 21st most common surnames in Japan, according to surname frequency lists. The meaning of Saitō derives from the elements sai (斎), meaning "purification" or "worship," and tō (藤), meaning "wisteria." The wisteria character historically indicates a connection to the prestigious Fujiwara clan, a powerful family of regents in Japan's Heian period.

As a transliteration variant, Saitou represents the same name as Saito or Saitō, differing only in the applied romanization system. The macron over the 'ō' in Saitō denotes a long vowel, which is often omitted in English-language contexts, leading to the frequent use of Saito or Saitou. The surname is widespread across Japan, with numerous notable bearers in sports, entertainment, and other fields.

Notable Bearers

Individuals with this surname span diverse professions. In sports, Kōki Saitō (born 2001) is a professional Japanese footballer, while Akira Saito (born 1963) is a motorcycle racer, and Akio Saito (born 1955) played baseball professionally. In entertainment, Asuka Saitō (born 1998) is a popular idol, singer, and model associated with the group Nogizaka46. Voice actor Ayaka Saitō (born 1988) and actress Aiko Saito (born 1958), a sailor, also carry the name. In historical contexts, the famous swordsman Saitō Hajime was a member of the Shinsengumi during the late Edo period, though his name is more commonly rendered with different kanji.

• Meaning: "Purification & wisteria"
• Origin: Japanese
• Type: Surname
• Usage Regions: Japan