Find out how popular the first name Sumiko has been for the last 33 years (from 1979 to 2011) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A Japanese feminine name meaning "beautiful child" or "child of beauty".
Based on the last 33 years of data, Sumiko is exclusively a female name.
For the most recent data in 2011, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sumiko.
| Year | Male Count | Female Count |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 5 |
| 2008 | 0 | 5 |
| 2007 | 0 | 5 |
| 2000 | 0 | 6 |
| 1994 | 0 | 6 |
| 1993 | 0 | 5 |
| 1989 | 0 | 5 |
| 1986 | 0 | 7 |
| 1982 | 0 | 5 |
| 1981 | 0 | 7 |
| 1980 | 0 | 31 |
| 1979 | 0 | 5 |
Sumiko is a feminine Japanese given name. It originated in Japan and is a combination of the words "sumi" meaning "charcoal" or "ink", and "ko" which is a common suffix used in Japanese female names, often implying "child".
The name Sumiko has been in use since at least the Heian period in Japan, which lasted from 794 to 1185 AD. During this time, calligraphy and ink painting were highly regarded art forms in Japanese culture, which may have influenced the choice of "sumi" as part of the name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sumiko can be found in the 11th century Japanese classic, "The Tale of Genji", written by Murasaki Shikibu. In this work, Sumiko is mentioned as the name of a minor character.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Sumiko. One of the most famous was Sumiko Matsui (1886-1919), a Japanese painter and artist who was a pioneer of the Nihonga style, which combined traditional Japanese techniques with Western-style paintings.
Another notable Sumiko was Sumiko Enbutsu (1918-2022), a Japanese activist and peace campaigner who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. She dedicated her life to advocating for nuclear disarmament and sharing her experiences as a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor).
In the world of literature, Sumiko Tanaka (1932-2019) was a celebrated Japanese novelist and essayist, known for her works exploring themes of love, family, and the human condition. Her novel "The Crimson Sky" was widely acclaimed and won several literary awards.
Sumiko Inui (1886-1976) was a Japanese educator and activist who played a significant role in the women's suffrage movement in Japan. She founded the New Women's Association and advocated for women's rights and gender equality.
Sumiko Harada (1925-2018) was a renowned Japanese ceramist and artist, known for her innovative techniques and intricate pottery designs. Her works were celebrated both in Japan and internationally, and she received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to the world of ceramics.
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 Sumiko was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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