JapaneseNamer日本語の名前
花子

はなこ

ハナコ

FemaleTraditionalPopularity: 62/100Shorter entry

Hanako: Japanese Name Meaning

Meaning: Flower Child

花

hana

flower

子

ko

child

Shorter entry

This page currently lists structured facts (readings, kanji, gender, and popularity). A fuller origin story, usage notes, and related context will be added as they are researched and verified.

All Readings

Kanji

花子

Hiragana

はなこ

Katakana

ハナコ

Romaji

Hanako

Cultural Significance

Hanako is one of the most classically Japanese names, evoking the gentle beauty of spring flowers. It was especially popular during the Shōwa era and is associated with refinement and grace.

Kanji Character Details

花

Character 1: 花

読み: hana

Meaning: flower

Read within 花子, it supplies the idea of “flower” that shapes how the name is understood.

子

Character 2: 子

読み: ko

Meaning: child

The kanji 子 in 花子 carries the nuance of “child” alongside the other characters.

Gender Usage

95%

Female usage

5%

Male usage

Female

Typical classification

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hanako mean in Japanese?›
Hanako (花子) means "Flower Child" in Japanese. The name is read はなこ in hiragana.
Is Hanako a boy or girl name?›
Hanako is traditionally a girl's name in Japan, classified as a female Japanese name.
How do you write Hanako in kanji?›
Hanako is typically written 花子 (はなこ). Alternative kanji variants include 花奈子, 華子.
How do you pronounce Hanako?›
Hanako is pronounced はなこ in hiragana (ハナコ in katakana). The romanized spelling is Hanako.

Writing Variants

Hanako can also be written with these alternative kanji combinations:

花子(primary)
花奈子(variant)
華子(variant)

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