Setsuko is a feminine Japanese given name that originated from the kanji characters せつ (setsu), meaning "pure," and 子 (ko), meaning "child." Therefore, Setsuko can be translated as "pure child." This name has been popular in Japan for many decades and has been carried by numerous notable individuals throughout history.
The earliest known use of the name Setsuko dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan. One of the most famous historical figures with this name is Setsuko Inouye, a poet from the Taisho era (1912-1926). She was known for her tanka poetry and contributions to modern Japanese literature.
Setsuko has also been used by several members of the Japanese imperial family. Princess Setsuko, born in 1909, was the third daughter of Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei. She married Prince Kuninomiya Naruhito in 1928, becoming Princess Higashikuni. Their daughter, also named Setsuko, was born in 1935.
In popular culture, Setsuko has been used as a character name in various films and anime productions. One notable example is the animated film "Spirited Away" (2001) by Studio Ghibli, where Setsuko is the protagonist's younger sister.
Overall, Setsuko is a charming and historically significant Japanese feminine given name with a meaningful translation that has been carried by many influential individuals throughout history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Setsuko was quite popular among parents in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. The name's popularity peaked in 1928 with a total of 36 births that year. However, it's interesting to note that even at its peak, the name Setsuko remained relatively uncommon compared to other names of the time.
The name's popularity seemed to decline steadily after its peak in 1928, with only 5 births recorded in 1945, the last year for which data is provided. This could indicate a shift in naming trends among parents during this period.
Overall, there were a total of 347 babies named Setsuko born in the United States between 1915 and 1945. While this number may seem small compared to other names from that era, it's important to remember that Setsuko is not a typical Western name, and its popularity may have been limited primarily to families with Japanese heritage or those who were drawn to less common names.
In conclusion, while the name Setsuko was not one of the most popular names in the United States during this time period, it did enjoy some level of popularity among parents who chose it for their daughters.