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Yoko 代子 – Japanese girl given name

Yoko (代子) is read よこ and has 2 syllables. It is mostly used for girls. Written as 代子, the characters mean: substitute + child. This reading can be written with at least 90 different kanji combinations (the 6 most common are shown below), with 5 to 15 strokes in total.

About the name Yoko

Yoko (洋子) means ocean child, with the ending 子 meaning child. Artist Yoko Ono is its best-known bearer abroad.

How to write Yoko in Japanese

Kanji	Reading	Literal meaning	Strokes
代子	よこ	substitute + child	8
八子	ようこ	eight + child	5
用高	ようこう	utilize + tall	15
要子	ようこ	need + child	12
用子	ようこ	utilize + child	8
容子	ようこ	contain + child	13

Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.

The kanji in Yoko

代

substitute, change, convert, replace

5 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 3

On: ダイ、タイ Kun: か、かわ、がわ

子

child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM, first sign of Chinese zodiac

3 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: シ、ス、ツ Kun: こ、ね

八

eight, eight radical

2 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: ハチ Kun: や、やっ、よう

用

utilize, business, service, use

5 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 2

On: ヨウ Kun: もち

高

tall, high, expensive

10 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 2

On: コウ Kun: たか、だか

Yoko in different scripts

Romaji	Yoko
Hiragana	よこ
Katakana	ヨコ
Kanji (most common)	代子

Full name examples

Yoko Yuki (Japanese order: 結城代子, ゆうきよこ)
Yoko Kono (Japanese order: 河野代子, こうのよこ)
Yoko Maki (Japanese order: 牧代子, まきよこ)

How to pronounce Yoko

Break it into 2 parts: yo · ko. 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 よこ.

Questions about Yoko

What does Yoko mean in Japanese?

Yoko has no single fixed meaning: it depends on the kanji. The most common spelling, 代子, combines these meanings: substitute + child. Other spellings include 八子 (eight + child), 用高 (utilize + tall), 要子 (need + child).

How do you write Yoko in kanji?

The most common way is 代子 (よこ). It can also be written 八子, 用高, 要子, 用子, 容子.

How do you write Yoko in katakana?

Yoko is ヨコ in katakana and よこ in hiragana.

Is Yoko a boy or girl name?

Yoko is mostly used for girls.

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Other names that use 代

代: substitute, change, convert

Akiyo 明代 Amiyo 安見代 Asayo 朝代 Atsuyo 農代 Ayoko 安代子 Chikayo 近代 Chiyo 小代 Chiyoko 治代子 Fumiyo 記代 Haruyo 明代 Hiroyo 大代 Hisayo 長代