Naoko

Naoko is a feminine Japanese given name. It can be written with various kanji characters, and its meaning depends on the chosen form. A common element is the suffix ko, meaning "child." Examples include 直子 (honest/straight child) and 夏子 (summer child). In romanization, the name is usually rendered as Naoko; longer forms such as Naōko use a macron to indicate a long vowel.

Usage of Naoko reached peak in the mid- to late 20th century in Japan, particularly among generations born after World War II. Like many traditional -ko names, its popularity has declined in recent decades as naming trends have shifted.

Notable individuals named Naoko include Naoko Takeuchi, a manga artist best known for Sailor Moon; and Naoko Yamazaki, a Japanese engineer and astronaut who flew on the Space Shuttle STS-131.

In literature, Naoko is a major character in Haruki Murakami's novel Norwegian Wood.

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