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Sadako

♀ Girl

Pronounced sah-DAH-koh /sɑˈdɑːkoʊ/Medium

Meaning: Sadako is a Japanese feminine name written in romaji here. Its meaning depends on the kanji a family chooses, but the common sada element carries senses like 'chaste', 'pure' or 'steadfast', and the frequent ko ending means 'child', giving readings such as 'pure child'. Without the specific characters the exact sense cannot be fixed, so this is offered as a usual reading.Low

In 30 seconds: Sadako is a Japanese girl's name, its meaning kanji-dependent; common readings give 'pure child' (said sah-DAH-koh).

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Origin MediumJapanese

MeaningSadako is a Japanese feminine name written in romaji here. Its meaning depends on the kanji a family chooses, but the common sada element carries senses like 'chaste', 'pure' or 'steadfast', and the frequent ko ending means 'child', giving readings such as 'pure child'. Without the specific characters the exact sense cannot be fixed, so this is offered as a usual reading.

U.S. rank (1940)#4923 ↘ Falling

1940 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1924

Total births (all-time)≈ 349

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

Sadako is a Japanese given name recorded for American girls in Issei and Nisei families in the early twentieth century. Written with kanji, its meaning turns on the characters used, with sada often 'pure' and ko 'child'. Romaji alone cannot capture the intended sense, which we note honestly.

In United States records it was rare and short-lived, reaching only a couple dozen girls a year around 1924 among Japanese-American families. A Sadako from that time belongs to a great-grandmother's generation now, part of the immigrant-era Japanese-American story that spanned the wartime years.

Did you know? Sadako Sasaki, a young survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, is remembered for folding paper cranes, and her story has made the name a quiet emblem of hope for peace.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Sadako — Japanese; kanji-dependent; sada 'pure' + ko 'child'. Romaji only. Sadako Sasaki noted with dignity

Variations

SadaeSadayoSada

Nicknames

SadaSadie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Sadako…

Sachiko— a like -ko Japanese girl's name

Teruko— another Issei-era Japanese name

Hisako— a similar vintage Japanese-American name

Shizuko— a comparably pre-war Japanese name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sadako mean?

It's a Japanese name whose meaning depends on its kanji; common readings pair 'pure' with 'child'.

How do you pronounce Sadako?

It's said sah-DAH-koh /sɑˈdɑːkoʊ/, three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Sadako a boy or girl name?

Sadako is used as a girl's name.

Is Sadako a popular name?

No, it was always rare in America, a Japanese-heritage name seen only among immigrant families in the early twentieth century.