Geishas' Names
When a girl became a maiko, an apprentice geisha, she takes a professional
name (geimei) to symbolize her new life. These names are flamboyant
and antiquated, and often have the feel of the 1700's and 1800's, the
heyday of geisha and kabuki.
They preserve a number of old forms, such as the use of the O- prefix.
Until the early 20th century, women's names were frequently preceded by
the honorific O: Oyuki, Orie, Okita. When the woman was addressed with
a title such as -san, the O was dropped and she became Yuki-san, Rie-san,
or Kita-san. The practice has since died out, leaving us with the stem
names.
|
Name
|
Meaning |
| Fumichiyo |
|
| Fumimaru |
|
| Haruyu |
|
| Hatsumomo |
firstborn + peach |
| Hatsuoki |
firstborn + middle of the ocean |
| Hatsuyo |
firstborn generation |
| Hiro |
|
| Hisacho |
|
| Hisamatsu |
Possibly "enduring pine tree" |
| Ichifume |
|
| Ichimaru |
|
| Ichimitsu |
Possibly "first/best light" |
| Ichisumi |
Possibly "most refined" |
| Ichiwari |
|
| Ikumatsu |
Possibly "life + pine tree" or "how
far/long + pine tree" |
| Inoue |
|
| Ito |
|
| Izuko |
|
| Kamekichi |
|
| Kanako |
|
| Kanosome |
|
| Katsumiyo |
|
| Katsuno |
|
| Kayoko |
|
| Kikuya |
The name of the very first female geisha |
| Kimie |
|
| Kimisuzu |
|
| Koito |
Little thread |
| Komaki |
Little scroll/book |
| Komayo |
|
| Korin |
Little bell |
| Koto |
|
| Kotsune |
|
| Koyakko |
"Little Yakko," apprentice name of
the geisha who grew up to be named first Yakko, then Sadayakko. |
| Koyuki |
Little snow |
| Kyoka |
"Kyo" is probably "capitol."
"Ka" could be "flower" or "perfume,"
among many other readings. |
| Mameha |
|
| Mamehide |
Possibly "faithful + excellent" |
| Mamekichi |
Possibly "faithful + good luck" |
| Mamemitsu |
Possibly "faithful + light" |
| Marichiyo |
|
| Masami |
Many, many possible readings. Possibly "gracious
+ beautiful" |
| Matahei |
|
| Mayuri |
|
| Metama |
|
| Michizono |
Possibly "righteous path + garden" |
| Miegiku |
Possibly "triple branch + chrysanthemum" |
| Mine |
Summit |
| Mineko |
Summit |
| Miyoharu |
|
| Ohisa |
Honorable + enduring |
| Okaichi |
|
| Okayo |
|
| Okichi |
A famous geisha who was ruined when Townsend
Harris forced her to become his concubine; renowned as a heroine
and a reincarnation of Kannon. Possibly "honorable good
luck." |
| Okita |
Honorable north |
| Oko |
(or Okou) |
| Okoi |
Honorable carp |
| Omocha |
|
| Otatsu |
|
| Owaka |
|
| Oyama |
|
| Oyuki |
Honorable snow |
| Raiha |
|
| Sada |
|
| Sadayakko |
One of the most famous of geisha. "Sadayakko"
is a combination of her birth name, Sada, and her official geisha
name, Yakko. |
| Satoharu |
Possibly "wise + light" |
| Satoka |
Possibly "wise flower" |
| Sayuri |
Together + Hen (zodiac symbol) + understanding |
| Shuko |
|
| Sokuhei |
|
| Suzukichi |
|
| Taka |
|
| Takazuru |
Possibly "tall crane/stork" |
| Teruha |
Shining leaf |
| Tokimatsu |
Possibly readings: "time + pine tree"
"time + depend on" "normal + pine tree" |
| Tomihatsu |
|
| Toyochiyo |
|
| Toyohina |
|
| Toyoka |
Possible readings: "bountiful + excellent"
"bountiful + scent/perfume" |
| Tsunaji |
|
| Umechika |
|
| Umeha |
Possibly "plum tree + leaf" |
| Umekichi |
|
| Umeryu |
Possibly "plum tree + lofty" |
| Yaechiyo |
|
| Yaeji |
|
| Yaemaru |
|
| Yakko |
|
| Yoneyu |
Possibly "rice + gentle" |
Immortal
Geisha
E-Koito.com
- The website of a famous modern geisha, Koito.
Geisha
Culture in New Japan
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