Ayako is a feminine given name of Japanese origin. The name Ayako consists of two characters: "Aya" and "ko". "Aya" means color or hue in Japanese, while "ko" signifies small child or baby girl. Thus, the meaning of Ayako is generally interpreted as "colorful little girl".
The name Ayako has a significant historical background in Japan. It was popularized by the main character in Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's novel "Aya no Ceremony", published in 1933. The story tells about the life of Aya, who is the wife of a university professor and the mother of two children. Through her experiences, Tanizaki explores themes such as tradition and modernization in Japanese society during the early Showa period.
Ayako has also been used by several notable individuals throughout history. One famous example is Ayako Miyake, a Japanese poet and novelist who was active during the Meiji era. She was known for her works that often explored feminist themes and critiqued societal norms.
In modern times, Ayako continues to be a popular name in Japan and among Japanese communities worldwide. Its unique combination of meaning and historical significance makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a meaningful name for their daughters.
Between 1908 and 2019, the name Ayako was given to a total of 543 babies born in the United States. The most popular years for this name were during the late 1910s and early 1920s, with peaks of 30 births in 1918 and 26 births in 1920. However, Ayako's popularity started to decline after the mid-1920s, with fewer than 15 births per year from 1927 onwards. There was a slight resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but overall, Ayako has remained relatively uncommon throughout its history of use in the United States.