I noticed that too, about the -ko names getting used less and less. A couple I know just named their daughter
Yoko (they don't have a Japanese background) and I could only think about how dated it sounded. But the meaning is lovely.
I forgot
Tomoko! I knew a few girls named this who went by
Tomo and I also knew a Tomoe. I know an Azusa but never thought her name was common, it seemed so unusual to me and so non-Japanese, if that makes any sense. Obviously I was wrong. I know a
Yumiko nn
Yumi with blue eyes and blonde hair, her grandfather was Japanese. I always thought that was cool. Also a
Yuki which is cute and a Fumiko nn Fumi which I always thought was funny sounding. Oh and a
Mina, I thought that one sounded very international as well, her full name was
Minako. And I lived with an
Izumi. Now that I'm writing the names pop back into my heard :) I knew a
Michiko as well.
Oh and Koichi would be common too wouldn't it? I just remembered I know two. One was however almost 40, the other would be 22 or so now.
I know a Kayo and a Mayo. My friend told me that Kayo is common whether Mayo is hardly used. He always said Mayo's name was weird :P
Aya is pretty, I can understand why it's common. Have you ever heard
Noa? I like that one as well. Is Chihiro common? I've met one, I'd like to know because it's one of my favorites. I also like
Chiyo. I just love Chihiro's meaning.
That's so cool you got to teach in Japan!