"upright child; righteous child"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
Sadako
Pronunciation: [ s-ahd-AHK-oh ]
Sadako is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning "upright child; righteous child." Ranked #69,771 in the US, popular nicknames include Sada.
A Japanese name forever linked to peace and paper cranes
Japanese
Elegant
Cultural
Historic
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the Ring horror franchise ghost character Sadako Yamamura
The Story of Sadako
Sadako is a Japanese name composed of the characters sada, meaning chaste, upright, or pure depending on the kanji used, and ko, the classic feminine suffix meaning child. The ko ending has been a beloved feature of Japanese girls names for centuries, expressing the idea of a dear child. The name carries elegance and purity in its traditional meaning while bearing the weight of an extraordinary historical legacy.
Sadako was a common Japanese girls name in the early and mid-twentieth century. Its most famous bearer, Sadako Sasaki, who survived Hiroshima but died of leukemia in 1955, transformed the name into a symbol of peace and hope through the legend of a thousand paper cranes.
Sadako Sasaki became a global symbol of peace when she folded paper cranes during her illness, inspired by the Japanese legend that one who folds a thousand cranes is granted a wish. Her story is taught in schools worldwide and the image of the paper crane became an international symbol of peace and nuclear disarmament.
Fun Facts
- Sadako Sasaki (1943-1955) became a worldwide peace symbol after dying of leukemia related to the Hiroshima atomic bomb while folding paper cranes
- The Childrens Peace Monument in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was erected in Sadakos honor and visitors still leave thousands of paper cranes there each year
Sadako in Other Languages
Chinese
Zhengzi (similar characters)
English
Sadako
Japanese
貞子 or 禎子
Famous People Named Sadako
S
Sadako Sasaki
Other
1943
Japanese girl who survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb and became a global peace symbol through her story of folding a tho...
Japanese girl who survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb and became a global peace symbol through her story of folding a thousand paper cranes before her death from leukemia at age 12
S
Sadako Yamamura Fictional
Entertainer
1947
Fictional antagonist of the Ring horror novel series by Koji Suzuki, a vengeful spirit with long black hair who emerges ...
Fictional antagonist of the Ring horror novel series by Koji Suzuki, a vengeful spirit with long black hair who emerges from a television screen
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #69,771
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sada
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, gentle style, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Sadako
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Japanese)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sadako
What does the name Sadako mean?
"upright child; righteous child" (from Japanese). Sadako is a Japanese name composed of the characters sada, meaning chaste, upright, or pure depending on the kanji used, and ko, the classic feminine suffix meaning child. The ko ending has been a beloved feature of Japanese girls names for centuries, expressing the idea of a dear child. The name carries elegance and purity in its traditional meaning while bearing the weight of an extraordinary historical legacy.
What is the origin of the name Sadako?
Sadako has Japanese origins. In Japanese, it means "upright child; righteous child".
Is Sadako a boy or girl name?
Sadako is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Sadako?
Sadako is pronounced s-ahd-AHK-oh.
How popular is the name Sadako?
Sadako is currently ranked #69771 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Sadako?
Common nicknames for Sadako include Sada.
What are good middle names for Sadako?
Popular middle name pairings include Sadako Hana, Sadako Yuki, Sadako Mei, Sadako Ai, and Sadako Rin.
What are good sibling names for Sadako?
Names that pair well with Sadako as siblings include Keiko, Haruko, Yoshiko, Hiroshi, and Takeshi.
How many syllables does Sadako have?
Sadako has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Sadako a common or rare name?
Sadako is an uncommon name, ranked #69771 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
Are there other spellings for Sadako?
Related spellings include Sadaf.
About the Name Sadako
Sadako is a girl name with Japanese origins . The name means "upright child; righteous child" in Japanese .
Sadako is currently ranked #69,771 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Sadako has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-ahd-AHK-oh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Sadako include Sada. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Sadako include Sadaf . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis