Find out how popular the first name Ayako has been for the last 46 years (from 1974 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ayako by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Ayako is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ayako.

The history of the first name Ayako

The name Ayako is a Japanese given name of feminine gender. It is a combination of two words from the Japanese language: "aya" meaning "pattern" or "design", and "ko" meaning "child". Thus, Ayako can be interpreted as "a child of pattern or design".

In ancient Japanese culture, the name was often bestowed upon girls with the hope that they would grow up to be skilled artisans, particularly in textile design or pottery. The earliest recorded example of the name dates back to the Heian period (794-1185 CE) when it appeared in a collection of waka poems.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Ayako, a renowned court lady and poet who lived during the late 10th century. She served under the Imperial Court and her poems were included in the prestigious Goshūi Wakashū anthology.

During the Edo period (1603-1867), Ayako Kitamura (1564-1637) was a prominent author and calligrapher. Her work, "Onna Imagawa Monogatari", is considered one of the first autobiographical accounts written by a woman in Japan.

In the 19th century, Ayako Ishigaki (1854-1906) was a pioneering educator who founded one of Japan's first schools for girls. Her efforts played a pivotal role in promoting women's education during the Meiji era.

Another notable figure was Ayako Sono (1859-1923), a Buddhist nun and scholar who translated numerous Sanskrit texts into Japanese, contributing to the study of Buddhism in Japan.

More recently, Ayako Wakao (1933-2022) was a renowned Japanese actress who appeared in numerous films and television series, including the critically acclaimed "Rashomon" (1950) directed by Akira Kurosawa.

Throughout its history, the name Ayako has been associated with creativity, artistry, and intellectual pursuits, reflecting the cultural values of Japan and the aspirations bestowed upon those who bear this name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ayako was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ayako, please contact us.

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