Kyoko

Kyoko is a feminine Japanese given name used in Japan and among Japanese communities worldwide. The meaning of Kyoko varies with the kanji used to write it. Common spellings in kanji include 京子 (capital child), 今日子 (today child), 恭子 (respectful child), and 杏子 (apricot child), among others. Because the name is formed from interchangeable kanji, it carries a range of positive associations depending on the chosen characters. In romaji, it is typically written as Kyoko, with alternate spellings such as Kyouko reflecting different transliteration conventions.

The name has remained popular across decades and is widely recognized in Japanese pop culture. Notable real people named Kyoko include Kyoko Koizumi (小泉今日子), a prominent singer and actress, and Kyoko Fukada (深田恭子), also a well-known actress. The name’s versatility and pleasant phonetics contribute to its enduring use in Japan and among Japanese-speaking communities.

In fiction, Kyoko appears as a number of main and supporting characters. Examples include Kyoko Sakura in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Kyoko Mogami in Skip Beat!, and Kyoko Honda, Tohru’s mother in Fruits Basket. These characters reflect the name’s broad appeal in anime, manga, and related media, where Kyoko is often depicted as earnest, resilient, or caring.

Overall, Kyoko remains a recognizable and culturally significant Japanese given name with multiple possible meanings and a presence in both real life and fictional works.