Hanako
Borrowed from Japanese はなこ (Hanako).
Every Hanako since 1915 — 397 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Hanako
Hanako is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,688 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1915, 397 American babies have been named Hanako. Its peak came in 1921, when 19 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Hanako stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Hanako year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | #9,688 |
| 2024 | 10 | #9,813 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | #12,720 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,973 |
| 2019 | 6 | #14,425 |
| 2018 | 6 | #14,454 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 5 | #17,478 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | 5 | #17,744 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,218 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13,026 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 9 | #11,789 |
| 2005 | 5 | #17,410 |
| 2004 | 7 | #13,241 |
| 2003 | 9 | #10,738 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14,225 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11,379 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,189 |
| 1995 | 7 | #10,924 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,570 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | 10 | #3,210 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,398 |
| 1915 | 13 | #2,305 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Hanako
- Hanako, Princess Hitachi Nobleman · b. 1940
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hanako mean?
Borrowed from Japanese はなこ (Hanako).
How popular is the name Hanako in 2025?
Hanako ranked #9,688 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Hanako?
397 babies have been named Hanako in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Hanako most popular?
Hanako peaked in 1921, when 19 newborns received the name.
Is Hanako a boy or girl name?
Hanako is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Hanako rising or falling?
Hanako is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Hanako?
Well-known people named Hanako include Hanako, Princess Hitachi (nobleman).