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Chihiro
How to Pronounce Chihiro
Pronounced chee-HEE-roh /tʃiˈhiːroʊ/Low
Meaning: Chihiro is a Japanese name joining chi, 'thousand,' with hiro, a 'fathom' or measure of depth, so 'a thousand fathoms,' an image of great depth or breadth; other spellings give 'a thousand searches' or questions. It is widely known abroad as the name of the young heroine of the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Chihiro is a Japanese name combining chi, 'thousand,' with hiro, a 'fathom' or depth, giving 'a thousand fathoms,' a poetic image of vast depth or breadth. Its small American appearances rose after the animated film Spirited Away brought the name to audiences around the world.
Chihiro was always rare in the United States, given to only about fourteen girls a year at its late-2000s peak and used mainly in Japanese families. A girl named Chihiro then is in her teens today; abroad the name is closely tied to the film that made it famous.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Chihiro mean?
It is a Japanese name usually meaning 'a thousand fathoms' (great depth), from chi ('thousand') and hiro ('fathom, depth').
How do you pronounce Chihiro?
It is said chee-HEE-roh /tʃiˈhiːroʊ/ - three syllables, with the stress in the middle.
Is Chihiro a boy or girl name?
Chihiro is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Chihiro?
It was always rare in the United States, given to only about fourteen girls a year at its peak in the late two-thousands.