Nanako

Japanese

"rainbow"

Nanako Origin and Meaning

The name Nanako is a girl's name of Japanese origin meaning "rainbow".

A cute yet plucky choice that refers to the seven colors of the rainbow, Nanako would make a special choice for a rainbow baby. It was one of the most popular names in Japan in during the late 1990s and is notably borne by actress and model Nanako Matsushima and singer Nanako Takushi, along with the character Nanako Dojima, from the video game Persona 4.

As with many Japanese names, the meaning of Nanako varies depending on which kanji elements are used, and alternative meanings can include "vegetables, greens + child" or "cherished offspring". Actor Wilmer Valderrama and model Amanda Pacheco named their first daughter Nanako Oceana in 2021, and were inspired by a trip to Japan.