Nobuko
Borrowed from Japanese のぶこ (Nobuko).
Every Nobuko since 1915 — 371 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nobuko
Nobuko is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1915, 371 American babies have been named Nobuko. Its peak came in 1924, when 33 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 Nobuko stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nobuko year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,219 |
| 1935 | 9 | #3,094 |
| 1930 | 9 | #3,261 |
| 1925 | 28 | #1,596 |
| 1920 | 22 | #1,871 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2,652 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Nobuko
- Nobuko Yoshiya Writer · 1896–1973
- Nobuko Kondo Soccer player · b. 1956
- Nobuko Jashima Soccer player · b. 1959
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nobuko mean?
Borrowed from Japanese のぶこ (Nobuko).
How popular is the name Nobuko in 2025?
Nobuko did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Nobuko?
371 babies have been named Nobuko in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nobuko most popular?
Nobuko peaked in 1924, when 33 newborns received the name.
Is Nobuko a boy or girl name?
Nobuko is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nobuko rising or falling?
Nobuko has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Nobuko?
Well-known people named Nobuko include Nobuko Yoshiya (writer), Nobuko Kondo (soccer player), Nobuko Jashima (soccer player).