Chieko is a feminine Japanese given name. Its origin is from the combination of two kanji characters: "chii" (千) meaning "thousand", and "ko" (子) meaning "child". Therefore, Chieko translates to "a thousand children".
The name Chieko has been in use since ancient times in Japan but became more popular during the Taisho period (1912-1926), a time of significant cultural exchange with the West. It was chosen by parents who wanted their daughters to have a modern, progressive name that reflected their hopes for a prosperous future.
One notable figure with this name is Chieko Honda (本田 千恵子), a Japanese-American sculptor known for her abstract and surrealist works. She played an important role in promoting modern art in Japan after World War II.
Today, Chieko remains a popular choice among Japanese parents, ranking consistently among the top 100 names for girls each year. Despite its popularity, it is still relatively rare outside of Japan, giving it a unique and exotic appeal to those who choose this name for their daughters.
The name Chieko has a rich history of usage in the United States, with over 293 individuals bearing this unique moniker born between the years 1913 and 1991.
The popularity of the name Chieko fluctuated throughout these decades. It experienced its peak in the late 1910s to early 1920s, with 24 births recorded in 1919 and a high of 22 births each in 1920 and 1922. This suggests that during this period, the name Chieko was particularly favored by parents.
However, like many names, its popularity declined over time. By the 1930s, fewer than ten babies named Chieko were born each year. There was a notable dip in popularity between 1932 and 1933, with only five births recorded in 1932 and seven in 1933.
There was also a brief resurgence in the late 20th century, with seven births recorded in 1982. However, this spike was not sustained, as there were only five births recorded in 1991.
Despite these fluctuations, it's clear that Chieko has been a name chosen by parents for their children throughout the 20th century in the United States. Its unique sound and spelling may have contributed to its enduring appeal, even if its popularity has varied over time.