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[Opinions] Re: (Writing) Name for a tragic Japanese woman?
I speak Japanese (but as a second language). I’ve come up with some possibilities here. I’m including the kanji (pictographs that signify words), because I think it’s relevant here. — 悲子 (Hiko) literally means “sad child.” -ko names were popular 40 years ago, and 悲 is the first kanji in 悲しい (kanashii), sad/unhappy/mourning. This particular name wasn’t used much in Japan (because of the meaning), and would maybe be a bit too literal? — 幸子 (Sachiko) literally means “happy child,” which could make for a kind of painful irony. The -ko ending fits a middle-aged woman, and the name was most popular from 1950-1979. — 吹雪/風舞貴 / 吹風綺 ... (Fubuki), literally means “snowstorm”(first kanji) or “precious wind” (second kanji). Can allude to winds / snow that unexpectedly destroys. It’s a “younger” name but realistic for someone born in 1979.
-- みずき / 瑞希 (Mizuki) , means “hope, good omen.” Could rather directly refer to hopes dashed. A bit “young,” but not unrealistic on someone born in 1979.
-- 優希 (Yuuki), more directly means “excellence, hope”; the boy equivalent is 勇気which means “courage.” Again, refers to hopes dashed, and was popular in the 70s and 80s. Female names can also be spelled without kanji (in hiragana or rarely katakana), but the ones with kanji have a more “educated” vibe. If your character is from a lower class background, maybe the hiragana version would make more sense.Hope this helps. 日本人: 間違いを直してお願いします (please fix my mistakes!)Life—the greatest adventure for which one could ever ask. 人生は最高な冒険ですね!

This message was edited 10/31/2019, 11:59 AM

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