Hatsuko is a Japanese given name for females. It has several possible meanings depending on its kanji characters. Here are a few possibilities:
1. hatsukoi - 初恋: This compound word means "first love." It combines the kanji characters for "beginning" or "first" (初) and "love" (恋).
2. hatsushiki - 初式: This term refers to an inaugural ceremony or event. It combines the kanji characters for "beginning" or "first" (初) and "ritual" or "ceremony" (式).
The name Hatsuko is not particularly common, but it has been used in Japan since at least the early 20th century. It gained some popularity during the Taisho era (1912-1926), possibly due to the influence of Western culture and names during that time.
There are a few notable individuals with the name Hatsuko:
* Hatsuko Ishii, a Japanese-American actress who appeared in several films during the 1930s.
* Hatsuko Aizawa, a Japanese writer known for her novels and short stories, including "Fushigi na koibito" (Strange Lovers) and "Kimi no iru basho" (The Place Where You Are).
* Hatsuko Shoji, a Japanese-American violinist who performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles.
Overall, while not extremely common, the name Hatsuko has an interesting history and meaning behind it. Its kanji characters offer several possible interpretations, making it a unique choice for a girl's name in Japan.
The name Hatsuko was not extremely popular in the United States during the period from 1911 to 1932, with a total of 204 babies being born with this name over these years. The highest number of births occurred in 1918, with 23 newborns named Hatsuko. However, there were several years where the number of births was quite low, such as in 1926 and 1932, with only 5 and 6 births respectively. Overall, the name Hatsuko experienced some fluctuations in popularity during this time period.