A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Hanako since 1915
Babies named Hanako per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 64 |
| 1920s | 134 |
| 1930s | 8 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 57 |
| 2000s | 68 |
| 2010s | 22 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Hanako is a traditional Japanese name composed of hana (flower) and ko (child), first recorded in U.S. data in 1915. It reached its peak rank of 9,457 in 1921 during the height of -ko name popularity among Japanese-American families. After a long decline, interest in Hanako has been rising since 2016, reflecting a broader revival of vintage Japanese names. In 2025, it remains a rare choice, with an estimated 1 in 160,727 girls receiving the name. The name's trajectory suggests a gentle comeback among parents seeking a culturally rich and elegant name with deep roots in Japanese history.
Hanako is a traditional Japanese name composed of the elements hana (花, "flower") and ko (子, "child"). It follows a common pattern of Japanese feminine names ending in -ko, which were historically reserved for nobility but became widespread in the early 20th century. The name peaked in popularity in Japan during the 1920s but declined after World War II as -ko names fell out of fashion. It remains recognized internationally through cultural exports.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Hana, Hanko, Non-chan
Sibling names for Hanako
Names that share Hanako's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Yuki, Sakura, Aoi, Miyuki, Rin, Akiko, Chiyoko, Emiko, Miyoko, Sachiko, Shizuko, Tamiko, Yoko, Yoshie, Yoshiko, Yukiko, Fumiko, Fusako, Hisako, Kikue, Michiko, Mitsue, Sadako, Shigeko, Sumiko, Toyoko, Yoneko, Yukie, Yumiko, Chiyeko, Eiko, Fujiko, Matsuko, Mitsuko, Mitsuye, Nobuko, Takako, Tomoko, Tsuyako, Yoshiye
Brothers: Taro, Kenji, Ryo, Haruki, Satoshi, Isamu, Jiro, Masaru, Mitsuo, Saburo, Tamotsu, Yoshito, Ichiro
