花子

Hanako

girlJapanese

Hanako is a girl name of Japanese origin, meaning “Flower child”.

MeaningFlower child
GenderGirl
OriginJapanese
Written as花子
PronunciationHAH-nah-koh
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inJapan

Meaning and origin of Hanako

Hanako is a classic Japanese girls' name written 花子, from hana 'flower' and ko 'child', an ending once used in a large share of Japanese girls' names. It was so common that it served as the standard example name on Japanese forms, much like 'Jane Doe'. Japanese schoolchildren also know Hanako-san, the ghost said to haunt school toilets.

Is Hanako a religious name?

Hanako is a Japanese cultural name with no specific religious meaning.

How popular is Hanako?

Associated with older generations; the shorter Hana is more common for babies today.

Gifts with the name Hanako

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Spellings and variants of Hanako

Names similar to Hanako

HanaHarukoYoshikoSakuraMomoko

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Hanako mean?

Hanako means 'Flower child'. It is of Japanese origin.

Does Hanako have a religious meaning?

Hanako is a Japanese cultural name with no specific religious meaning.

How do you pronounce Hanako?

Hanako is pronounced HAH-nah-koh.

Is Hanako a boy or girl name?

Hanako is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.