Yuuko

Yuuko, also romanized as Yūko or Yuko, is a feminine Japanese given name. The meaning varies with the kanji used; common forms include 優子 (gentle, superior child), 結子 (binds or knits child), and 裕子 (abundant child). The name is widely used in Japan and appears in literature, film, and contemporary media. When written in kana, it is pronounced with a long "u" sound in the first syllable.

Notable people with this name include the actress Yūko Takeuchi (竹内結子) (1980–2020), who was a prominent figure in Japanese cinema and television, and Yūko Oshima (大島優子), a singer and former member of the pop group AKB48. The name appears across various fields in Japan, including arts, entertainment, and academia, and it is commonly encountered in both historical and modern contexts.

In fiction, Yuuko Ichihara is a well-known character from CLAMP’s manga series xxxHolic, where she runs a curio shop that grants wishes. The name Yuuko is used for a variety of characters across Japanese literature, anime, and film, reflecting its broad cultural presence.