Shizuko is a feminine Japanese given name with an interesting origin and meaning. The name is composed of two kanji characters: "shizu" (静) which means calm or peaceful, and "ko" (子) which means child.
The name Shizuko therefore translates to "calm child". It is often chosen by parents who wish for their daughter to grow up to be a person of tranquility and inner peace. The name is also associated with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which embraces imperfection and transience as part of life's natural beauty.
The history of Shizuko as a given name dates back to ancient Japan. It was used among aristocratic families during the Heian period (794-1185), but became more popular during the Meiji era (1868-1912) following Japan's modernization and Westernization.
Shizuko is not a particularly common name in modern Japan, but it has been carried by several notable figures throughout history. For example, Shizuko Yamagishi was a prominent suffragist who played a key role in the women's rights movement during the early 20th century. Another famous bearer of this name is Shizuko Kamei, a noted musician and composer known for her work in traditional Japanese music.
Overall, Shizuko is a name that embodies serenity and harmony, reflecting its deep roots in Japanese culture and history. It continues to be chosen by parents today who wish to give their daughters a strong foundation of inner peace and calmness.
The name Shizuko experienced a significant amount of popularity in the United States during the early 20th century, particularly between the years 1908 and 1933. During this period, there were a total of 620 births recorded for the name Shizuko.
Throughout these years, the name's popularity fluctuated significantly from year to year. The name first appeared in the U.S. birth records in 1908 with six recorded births that year. This number remained consistent in the following year before increasing to ten births in 1910. In 1912, there was a notable spike in popularity with twenty-one births recorded.
The years between 1913 and 1917 saw a steady increase in the number of Shizuko births each year, reaching forty-one in 1918. This trend continued into the early 1920s, peaking at forty-three births in 1921. However, after this peak, there was a noticeable decline in popularity.
From 1925 onwards, the number of Shizuko births decreased significantly and consistently each year until it reached its lowest point with only five recorded births in 1931. This low remained relatively consistent over the next few years, with eight births recorded each year from 1932 to 1937.
Despite the fluctuations in popularity, it is clear that Shizuko was a widely used name during this period in the United States. The fact that it maintained a relatively stable presence even after its peak indicates that many families continued to choose this name for their daughters throughout these years.