Asako
Meaningoften morning child · Japanese
Asako is a Japanese girl name often meaning “morning child”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Asako has the name Asa hiding inside it.
- GenerationAsako peaked in 1925, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryAsako first shows up in US birth records in 1911, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 114 years since.
US births per million girls, 1911–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Asako
Asako is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often morning child”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1920s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Asako
What does the name Asako mean?
Asako means “often morning child” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Lucero (“morning star”), Danica (“morning star”), Danika (“morning star”) and Asami (“often morning beauty”).
What is the origin of the name Asako?
Asako is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Asako a boy or girl name?
Asako is a girl name.
How popular is the name Asako?
Asako is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1991. It peaked at #2,191 in 1925, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Asako?
If you like Asako, you might also like Lucero, Danica, Danika and Asami.
What should I know before naming my baby Asako?
Asako is a Japanese girl name often meaning “morning child”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.