Setsuko
Borrowed from Japanese せつこ (Setsuko).
Every Setsuko since 1915 — 347 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Setsuko
Setsuko is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1915, 347 American babies have been named Setsuko. Its peak came in 1928, when 36 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Setsuko stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Setsuko year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | 5 | #5,144 |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | 15 | #2,196 |
| 1930 | 20 | #1,862 |
| 1925 | 21 | #1,936 |
| 1920 | 11 | #3,068 |
| 1915 | 5 | #4,858 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Setsuko
- Setsuko Hara Actor · 1920–2015
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Setsuko mean?
Borrowed from Japanese せつこ (Setsuko).
How popular is the name Setsuko in 2025?
Setsuko did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Setsuko?
347 babies have been named Setsuko in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Setsuko most popular?
Setsuko peaked in 1928, when 36 newborns received the name.
Is Setsuko a boy or girl name?
Setsuko is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Setsuko rising or falling?
Setsuko has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Setsuko?
Well-known people named Setsuko include Setsuko Hara (actor).