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Yoko in Japanese

KatakanaヨーコYooko
Kanji世湖Yoko

In Japanese, Yoko is written in katakana as ヨーコ (Yooko), the way Japanese people write foreign names. To write it in kanji, each sound gets a character chosen for its meaning. Our top pick is 世湖 (yoko): “world”, “lake”.

How Yoko sounds in Japanese

ヨーコ

Kanji for Yoko

世湖
yoko
  • 世
    yo world
    The world and the generations that carry it forward.
  • 湖
    ko lake
    A still lake that mirrors the sky.
    Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) is Japan's largest freshwater lake and is estimated to be over four million years old.
洋湖
youko
  • 洋
    you ocean
    The great, open ocean.
  • 湖
    ko lake
    A still lake that mirrors the sky.
    Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) is Japan's largest freshwater lake and is estimated to be over four million years old.
陽湖
youko
  • 陽
    you sunlight
    Warm sunlight. One of the most popular characters in Japanese names today.
  • 湖
    ko lake
    A still lake that mirrors the sky.
    Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) is Japan's largest freshwater lake and is estimated to be over four million years old.

By style

Masculine
誉虎
honor · tiger
Feminine
陽香
sunlight · fragrance

Real Japanese names that sound like Yoko

Yoko sounds close to よこ (Yoko), which is a real given name in Japan. Japanese parents write it with kanji such as:

  • 代子 yoko — generation + child
  • 洋子 yoko — ocean + child
  • 与子 yoko — give + child
  • 誉子 yoko — honor + child

If you want a kanji name that a Japanese person could mistake for a native name, these spellings are the closest.

How common are these kanji in Japan?

  • 世 (world) is common in Japanese given names.
  • 湖 (lake) is common in Japanese given names.

Yoko in anime worlds

Yoko as an anime character →Yoko in Jujutsu Kaisen (fan-made) →Yoko in Demon Slayer (fan-made) →Yoko in Attack on Titan (fan-made) →Yoko in Dandadan (fan-made) →

Questions about Yoko in Japanese

How do you write Yoko in Japanese?

Yoko is written ヨーコ in katakana. Katakana is the script Japanese people use for foreign names, so this is how Yoko would appear on a Japanese ID card, a café cup or a name tag.

What are the best kanji for Yoko?

Our top pick is 世湖 (Yoko). 世 means “world” and 湖 means “lake”. Other good options are 洋湖 (Youko) and 陽湖 (Youko).

Is 世湖 a real Japanese name?

Not as a traditional name. Japanese people write foreign names in katakana, so 世湖 is a creative kanji spelling (called ateji), chosen for its sounds and meanings. Japanese readers will understand what each character means, and many will enjoy the idea behind it.

How many strokes is 世湖?

世湖 has 17 strokes in total (世: 5, 湖: 12). It takes some practice to write neatly, so look up the stroke order before trying it with a brush.

Can I use 世湖 as a tattoo?

Each character in 世湖 has a positive meaning, so it is a reasonable choice. Keep in mind that Japanese people will read it as the meaning of the characters, not instantly as “Yoko”. If you want your name to be recognized, katakana (ヨーコ) is clearer. Either way, ask a native speaker to check the final design.

Planning a tattoo or a print? Read the kanji tattoo checklist, and check the kanji in the name tool. Not sure which script to use? See katakana or kanji.

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