Hatsue is a Japanese given name of feminine origin. It is composed of two kanji characters: "hat" (八), which means eight, and "suetou" (末), which means branch or tip. Therefore, the meaning of Hatsue is "eighth branch." The character "hat" can also represent prosperity or wealth.
The name Hatsue has a rich history in Japanese culture. It was popular among the aristocracy during the Heian period (794-1185), with many ladies bearing this name appearing in literature of that time, such as "The Tale of Genji." The story's author, Murasaki Shikibu, was herself called Hatsue during her childhood.
In modern times, Hatsue remains a popular choice among Japanese parents, ranking consistently within the top 100 names for girls born each year. However, it is less commonly encountered internationally compared to other Japanese names like Sakura or Akari.
The name Hatsue experienced a period of popularity between the years 1915 and 1922 in the United States, with a peak of 21 births recorded in 1920. However, its popularity declined thereafter, dropping to single-digit figures by 1926. From 1931 onwards, there is no further data available regarding the name Hatsue's birth frequency in the U.S.