second son; Jirō (male given name)
Primarily used as a male given name or part of a name, often for a second-born son. The literal meaning 'second son' is understood but the word is not used as a common noun in modern Japanese.
His name is Jirō.
次郎は私の弟です。
Jirō is my younger brother.
太郎 is the traditional name for a first-born son, while 次郎 is for a second son, so learners often confuse which order each name marks.
三郎 marks a third-born son in the same naming pattern that 次郎 uses for a second son, so the two are easily mixed up.
Standard kanji spelling for the name Jirō, literally 'second son'.
Variant kanji spelling for the name Jirō, also meaning 'second son'.
From 次 (ji, 'next') + 郎 (rō, 'son'), a traditional naming pattern for sons in order of birth.