Find out how popular the first name Namiko has been for the last 39 years (from 1985 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Namiko by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Namiko is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 40 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Namiko.

The history of the first name Namiko

The name Namiko is a Japanese given name that has its origins in the Nara and Heian periods of ancient Japan (710-1185 AD). It is a combination of the words "na" meaning "wave" and "miko" which refers to a Shinto shrine maiden or priestess. Together, the name Namiko can be interpreted as "beautiful wave" or "wave child".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Namiko can be found in the Heike Monogatari, a famous epic tale from the late 12th century. The story mentions a young woman named Namiko who served as a shrine maiden at the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island.

In the 16th century, a influential Buddhist monk and calligrapher named Namiko Tozawa (1538-1625) made significant contributions to the art of Japanese calligraphy. His works and teachings had a lasting impact on the development of the art form.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), a renowned Noh actress named Namiko Sugi (1739-1814) gained fame for her exceptional performances and her mastery of the traditional Japanese theatre art. Her stage name was Namiko, which she adopted in honor of her mentor and teacher.

In more recent history, Namiko Hosozawa (1912-2005) was a celebrated Japanese author and poet who wrote extensively about the experiences of women during World War II. Her autobiographical novel "Bridge of Dreams" was highly acclaimed and translated into several languages.

Another notable figure was Namiko Kumagai (1936-2018), a pioneering Japanese journalist and news anchor. She was the first woman to anchor a national news program in Japan and paved the way for greater gender equality in the field of journalism.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Namiko throughout history, reflecting its deep roots and cultural significance within Japanese tradition.

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 Namiko was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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