Miho is a Japanese given name of uncertain origin and meaning. It is believed to have been derived from the kanji characters 美保 or 美穂, which can be interpreted as "beautiful" (美) and "protect" (保) or "beauty" (穂). However, there are many possible combinations of kanji that could form the name Miho, making its meaning quite varied.
The name Miho first gained prominence in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868), but it has been used throughout Japanese history. One notable historical figure named Miho is Miho no Mikoto, a legendary queen of ancient Japan who was said to have been the wife of Emperor Jimmu, the founder of the Japanese imperial line.
Today, Miho remains a popular name in Japan and beyond. According to data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, it has consistently ranked among the top 100 most popular girls' names in Japan since the 1970s. The name is also used by people of other East Asian descent living abroad, particularly in North America and Europe.
In literature and popular culture, Miho has been used as a character name several times. Some notable examples include Miho Mazaki from the manga and anime series "Gurren Lagann" and Miho Amakusa from the visual novel and anime series "School Days." These characters have contributed to the name's popularity and recognition outside of Japan.
Overall, while the exact origin and meaning of the name Miho remain somewhat uncertain, it is a beautiful and meaningful name with a rich history that has captured the hearts of people around the world.
Here are some interesting statistics regarding the name Miho in the United States:
From 1974 to 2006, there were a total of 95 babies named Miho born in the U.S., with varying numbers each year. The years with the highest number of births were 1993 and 1999, each having 10 and 9 births respectively.
Looking at the data year by year, we can see a slight trend where the name gained popularity around the mid-80s to late 90s. The years with the most births for the name Miho were:
* 1993: 10 births
* 1999: 9 births
However, there were also several years with only a single-digit number of births:
* 1974 and 1976: 6 births each
* 1986, 1991, and 2006: 5 births each
* 1994 and 1995: 7 births each
It's fascinating to observe how the popularity of a name can fluctuate over time. Despite not being one of the most popular names during these years, having between 5 to 10 births per year for nearly three decades shows that Miho has maintained a consistent presence among American baby names.
These statistics demonstrate that while Miho may not have been as widespread as other names during this period, it still held its own, with a steady stream of newborns being named Miho each year.