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Chiyo 小代 – Japanese girl given name
Chiyo (小代) is read ちよ and has 2 syllables. It is mostly used for girls. Written as 小代, the characters mean: little + substitute. This reading can be written with at least 33 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 8 to 13 strokes in total.
About the name Chiyo
Chiyo (千代) means a thousand generations, a wish for a long life or a family that lasts. It is a traditional girls' name, and the poet Kaga no Chiyo made it known in the eighteenth century.
How to write Chiyo in Japanese
| Kanji | Reading | Literal meaning | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 小代 | ちよ | little + substitute | 8 |
| 千代 | ちよ | thousand + substitute | 8 |
| 知代 | ちよ | know + substitute | 13 |
| 千世 | ちよ | thousand + generation | 8 |
| 知世 | ちよ | know + generation | 13 |
| 知予 | ちよ | know + beforehand | 12 |
Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.
The kanji in Chiyo
Chiyo in different scripts
| Romaji | Chiyo |
|---|---|
| Hiragana | ちよ |
| Katakana | チヨ |
| Kanji (most common) | 小代 |
Full name examples
- Chiyo Yuki (Japanese order: 結城小代, ゆうき ちよ)
- Chiyo Kono (Japanese order: 河野小代, こうの ちよ)
- Chiyo Maki (Japanese order: 牧小代, まき ちよ)
How to pronounce Chiyo
Break it into 1 parts: chiyo. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 2 sound units are written ちよ.
Questions about Chiyo
What does Chiyo mean in Japanese?
Chiyo has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 小代, combines these meanings: little + substitute. Other spellings include 千代 (thousand + substitute), 知代 (know + substitute), 千世 (thousand + generation).
How do you write Chiyo in kanji?
The most common way is 小代 (ちよ). It can also be written 千代, 知代, 千世, 知世, 知予.
How do you write Chiyo in katakana?
Chiyo is チヨ in katakana and ちよ in hiragana.
Is Chiyo a boy or girl name?
Chiyo is mostly used for girls.
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Other names that use 小
小: little, small
Names with a similar sound
Name data: JMnedict and KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Filtered, regrouped and annotated by NihonNames.