Japanese Given Names

Female

Common elements are popular within families, one of the most frequently occurring being the ending '-ko' or 'child' added to another word. Hence 'Yukiko' or 'Snow-child', although Yuki can be a separate name. Other suffixes include -mi, beauty and -hime, princess. The wife of a bushi usually added -gozen to her name. When her husband died, she would usually become a nun and add the suffix -in instead (Hoshun-in, Koudai-in).

These names were those of famous ladies and courtesans depicted by ukiyo-e artists. They appear to be family names in some cases.

This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.

Copies may be made for personal use only.