Hanako

Hanako is a common Japanese given name for females. It can be written with various kanji characters, each imparting a different meaning to the name. For example, Hana can mean "flower" and Ko can mean "child". The name has been popular for many years in Japan and is still commonly used today.

In Japanese folklore, Hanako is also the name of a popular ghost story, often referred to as "Hanako-san of the Toilet". According to the legend, Hanako is the spirit of a young girl who haunts school bathrooms, typically appearing when summoned. Accounts of her appearance and the circumstances of her death vary, but she is often depicted as a mischievous or tragic figure. The story is a common urban legend among Japanese schoolchildren and has been adapted into various forms of media, including books, films, and anime. Despite its prevalence as a ghost story, the name Hanako itself is a perfectly ordinary and beloved given name for many individuals in Japan.