Hanako: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#9,688

among girls · ↑125 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Hanako

How common

1 in 160,727

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1921

19 babies

All-time total

397

#13,571 all-time among girls

First recorded

1915

in Social Security records

Hanako popularity over time

397 babies have been named Hanako since 1915, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	64	6	–	#2,147
1920s	134	13	+109%	#2,076
1930s	8	1	-94%	#3,406
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	12	1	–	#8,040
1980s	–	–	–	–
1990s	57	6	–	#7,972
2000s	68	7	+19%	#10,189
2010s	22	2	-68%	#14,425
2020s (to 2025)	32	5	+142%	#9,688

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.

How old are people named Hanako?

The median living Hanako is about 22 years old; half are between 11 and 29. An estimated 200 people named Hanako are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

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

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Hanako, Princess Hitachi Japanese princess (born 1940) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Hanako, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Hanako?

The median living Hanako is about 22 years old. Half of all living Hanakos are between 11 and 29 years old.

How many people named Hanako are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Hanako are alive in the United States, based on 397 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Hanako

Names that sound and feel close to Hanako: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Hanako with similar names → More names starting with H →