Etsuko is a Japanese given name for females. Its origin can be traced back to the kanji characters 絲 and 惠. The first character, 絲, means "thread," while the second character, 惠, signifies "harmony" or "friendliness." Therefore, Etsuko's meaning combines these two concepts to represent someone who is smooth and harmonious like a thread that weaves together different elements.
The name Etsuko gained popularity during the early 20th century in Japan. It was often chosen by parents for their daughters as they believed it would bring good fortune and happiness into their lives due to its positive connotations. In fact, some sources suggest that this name became quite fashionable after being used by a character in a popular novel titled "W Mrs. Aoi no Ue" written by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki.
Despite its popularity in Japan, Etsuko is relatively rare outside of the country. However, those who bear this name are often admired for their unique identity and connection to Japanese culture. As with many names, there may be variations in spelling depending on how it is romanized from kanji characters into English letters (e.g., Etsuko, Etchuuko). Nevertheless, regardless of its spelling, the name Etsuko carries a beautiful meaning that represents harmony and smoothness.
"Etsuko experienced a surge in popularity between 1924 and 1927, with 28 births recorded during those four years. However, overall, the name's usage has been quite inconsistent throughout the period from 1921 to 1930."