Youko

Youko is a feminine given name of Japanese origin. Like many Japanese names, its meaning varies with the kanji characters chosen to write it, and there is no single universal interpretation. The name is commonly romanized as Youko or Yōko; when macrons are omitted, the form Youko is frequently used in English-language texts and fan translations.

In Japan and among Japanese communities abroad, Youko has been used for both fictional characters and real individuals. It appears across a range of media, including anime, manga, light novels, and video games, where it is assigned to female characters of diverse ages and backgrounds. It is also borne by real people, such as writers, artists, and professionals, reflecting its broad presence in contemporary naming practices.

Variations in spelling reflect transliteration conventions rather than differences in pronunciation. Other common renderings include Yoko and Yuuko, depending on the chosen kanji and transliteration standard. The name Youko thus sits among a large family of Japanese feminine given names that share the same phonetic base but different written forms.

See also: Yoko (disambiguation); Yuuko; Yōko.