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Origin and meaning of the name Chihiro

What is the origin of the name Chihiro?

Last updated : 14 June 2025

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The given name Chihiro originates from Japan. It is a feminine Japanese name that means "thousand days" or "long time". In Japanese anime and manga, Chihiro is a popular character known as Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi…

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The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Chihiro

The name Chihiro is of Japanese origin, derived from Chinese characters "千" (chi) meaning "thousand" and "広" (hiro) meaning "wide" or "broad." Together, these characters signify "thousand fields" or "wide expanse." In the popular animated film "Spirited Away," the protagonist's name was localized as Chihiro, from its original Japanese name Sen. The characterization of Chihiro in the movie emphasizes her transition from childhood to adulthood as she navigates through a spirit world filled with magical creatures and challenges. Over time, the name Chihiro has gained significant popularity within Japan and globally due to the film's wide acclaim.

Character traits associated with the name Chihiro

Chihiro is often characterized by her courage, curiosity, and resilience. In the animated film "Spirited Away," she demonstrates bravery as she navigates through the mysterious spirit world, unafraid to confront unfamiliar entities. Her inquisitive nature propels her to explore and seek understanding, even when faced with the unknown. Chihiro's adaptability is evident in her ability to quickly adjust to new situations and make the best of them, as seen when she works tirelessly to help others in the spirit world. Despite facing numerous challenges, Chihiro maintains a strong will and determination, refusing to give up even when the odds seem insurmountable. Her kindness and empathy are also notable traits, shown through her concern for others' well-being and willingness to help those in need. Overall, Chihiro embodies the qualities of a resourceful, brave, and compassionate individual.

Popularity of the name Chihiro

The name Chihiro is predominantly popular in Japan, where it originates from Studio Ghibli's animated film "Spirited Away." In Japanese, Chihiro translates to "thousand fields," symbolizing a vast expanse of life and possibilities. The character Chihiro from the movie has contributed significantly to the name's popularity, with many parents naming their daughters after her since the film's release in 2001. As of recent data, Chihiro ranks among the top 300 girls' names in Japan, demonstrating its enduring popularity in the country. However, outside of Japan, the name is less common and may not hold significant cultural or sentimental value.

Famous people with the name Chihiro

Chihiro Ogino is a well-known Japanese manga and anime character from the film "Spirited Away" by Hayao Miyazaki. In this popular Studio Ghibli production, Chihiro transforms from an ordinary girl into a spirit world resident during her journey to save her parents from supernatural beings. Another notable figure named Chihiro is Chihiro Kanako, a Japanese actress and singer who gained recognition for her role in the live-action drama film "Mother's Love." In the United States, Chihiro Nohelani Lee, also known as "Lilo," is a fictional character from the Disney animated movie "Lilo & Stitch." Lilo embodies a spirited and resilient Hawaiian girl who adopts an extraterrestrial creature in her family.

Variations of the name Chihiro

Chihiro is a popular Japanese female given name that originates from Chinese characters, meaning "thousand" (千) and "child" (嬷). However, it can have several variants due to the flexibility in reading and writing of kanji in Japanese.

One variant is Chiaki (ちあき), which has a similar pronunciation but uses different kanji for "child" (宅). Another variation is Chiharu (千春), where the first character remains unchanged, but "child" is replaced with a more poetic and seasonal reading of "spring" (春).

The name can also be written as Shizuka (志々果) or Shizuko (しずこ), which share similar meanings but use different kanji for "thousand" (志) and "child" (子). In these variants, the character "子" is read as "ko," emphasizing its meaning as "child."

Additionally, Chihiro can be abbreviated as Chiho (ちほ), which uses the same kanji but changes the reading of the first character to make it more conversational. Another abbreviation is Coco (ココ), using a hiragana spelling and retaining its original pronunciation.

These variations show the versatility in naming conventions within Japanese culture, where multiple kanji combinations can create unique names while maintaining a similar sound or meaning.

Sources & References

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NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated : 14 June 2025

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