Sadako

Meaning & origin

Sadako is a traditional Japanese feminine name built on the 'ko' suffix, which was once extremely common for girls in Japan. In the United States, the name saw a brief window of use in the 1910s, with its peak year in 1919, but has since become virtually nonexistent. No births were recorded in the latest year of data, 2025, reflecting its status as an extremely rare choice. The name is globally associated with Sadako Sasaki, the Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor known for folding origami cranes, which has given the name a poignant and peaceful resonance in popular culture. Though never among the most popular Japanese names in the U.S., its peak during the 1910s aligns with increased immigration and cultural exchange.

Sadako is a Japanese compound name typically formed from the elements 'sada' (貞, meaning 'chaste' or 定, meaning 'determine, truth') and 'ko' (子, meaning 'child'). It is a feminine name that was especially popular in the early 20th century, following the Japanese naming tradition of using the suffix 'ko' for girls. The name is historically borne by notable figures such as Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from leukemia caused by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and who folded origami cranes as a symbol of peace.