Shou is a name with multiple origins and meanings. In Japanese, it is an alternate transcription of the Kanji 翔 (meaning 'soar' or 'fly'), 奨 (meaning 'prize' or 'award'), or 祥 (meaning 'auspicious' or 'prosperous'). In Chinese, the character 寿/壽 (shou) means 'longevity'. The name is also associated with various cultural and historical contexts, including its use as a given name, a place name, and in reference to deities and instruments.