A Japanese given name or, in some contexts, a surname; also a type of Japanese merchant or trader in historical contexts.
From Japanese 'itō' (伊藤), a common surname combining characters meaning 'to support' and 'wisteria.' As a given name, it can have various meanings depending on the kanji characters used. This is fundamentally a Japanese word adopted into English.
The surname Itō is one of Japan's most common, ranking in the top 5, and so many historical figures and modern celebrities carry it that seeing 'Ito' instantly signals 'probably Japanese.' Language reveals cultural demographics and population patterns.
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