Sadako
Borrowed from Japanese さだこ (Sadako).
Every Sadako since 1913 — 349 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sadako
Sadako 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 1913, 349 American babies have been named Sadako. Its peak came in 1924, when 25 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 Sadako stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sadako 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 | 5 | #4,923 |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | 12 | #2,666 |
| 1925 | 23 | #1,841 |
| 1920 | 22 | #1,879 |
| 1915 | 19 | #1,783 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Sadako
- Sadako Sasaki Social activist · 1943–1955
- Sadako Ogata Politician · 1927–2019
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sadako mean?
Borrowed from Japanese さだこ (Sadako).
How popular is the name Sadako in 2025?
Sadako 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 Sadako?
349 babies have been named Sadako in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sadako most popular?
Sadako peaked in 1924, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Sadako a boy or girl name?
Sadako is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sadako rising or falling?
Sadako has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Sadako?
Well-known people named Sadako include Sadako Sasaki (social activist), Sadako Ogata (politician).