Find out how popular the first name Toshiko has been for the last 11 years (from 1974 to 1984) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Toshiko by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Toshiko is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1984, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Toshiko.

The history of the first name Toshiko

Toshiko is a Japanese given name derived from the words "toshi" meaning year or age, and "ko" meaning child or little one. The name dates back to the Heian period of Japanese history, which spanned from 794 to 1185 CE. It was originally used as a feminine name, but over time it also became a masculine name in certain regions.

The earliest recorded use of the name Toshiko can be traced back to the 10th century, where it appeared in various historical records and literary works from the Heian period. One notable example is the "Tale of Genji," a classic Japanese novel written by Murasaki Shikibu around 1010 CE, in which a character named Toshiko is mentioned.

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333 CE), the name Toshiko gained popularity among the samurai class. It was often given to daughters of prominent samurai families, as it was seen as a strong and auspicious name. One famous historical figure with this name was Toshiko Hojo (1263-1305), the wife of the powerful Kamakura shogun, Hojo Tokimune.

In the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), the name Toshiko continued to be widely used, particularly among the merchant and artisan classes. One notable bearer of the name from this time was Toshiko Asakura (1676-1747), a renowned calligrapher and painter who was celebrated for her artistic talents.

As Japan entered the modern era, the name Toshiko remained a popular choice for both girls and boys. One of the most famous Japanese authors of the 20th century, Toshiko Tamura (1884-1975), bore this name. She was known for her novels and short stories that explored the changing roles and experiences of women in modern Japanese society.

Another notable figure was Toshiko Fukuda (1924-1995), a Japanese politician and feminist activist. She was one of the first women to be elected to the Japanese Diet (parliament) and played a significant role in advocating for gender equality and women's rights in Japan.

While Toshiko is a name with deep historical roots in Japanese culture, it has also been adopted by people of other ethnicities and nationalities in more recent times. For example, Toshiko Akiyoshi (born 1929) is a Japanese-American jazz composer, arranger, and bandleader who has been a prominent figure in the jazz world for several decades.

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

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

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