| Sources | Pronunciation guide |
This name post replaces Yui, which has now been reclassified as a mainly feminine name with some current male usage.
(Main) gender: Female
Pronunciation: rʸeek-kah [ɾʲík̚.kà]
Etymology and/or ways to write:
The most popularly used form of this name is 六花, literally meaning “six flowers” (華 is an alternative to 花). This combination is also used as a synonym for 雪 “snow” with the six petals of a flower resembling a typical snowflake. Other word combinations include 立花, from a form of ikebana in which flowers are placed upright, and 立夏, a traditional solar term signifying the beginning of summer (立 meaning “stand, rise”).
Regarding other ways to write this name, it can also be written as 律 (ritsu) meaning “law, regulation” or, occasionally, a kanji with the reading ri, like 里 meaning “village,” 梨 meaning “pear” or 理 meaning “reason, logic.” As for the second element, other ka kanji in use include 香 meaning “fragrance,” 佳 meaning “beautiful, good,” 果 meaning “fruit” and 歌 meaning “song.”
Popularity:
Much of the name’s usage has occurred since the Heisei period (1989-2019). It was given to less than 0.001% in 1990 and 1991, gradually rising to 0.0025% by 1995. By the late 1990s, the name was starting to experience a more prominent rise – the percentage was 0.0048% in 2000, rising to 0.0195% by 2009 and over 0.09% from 2014-8.
If you would like to add in your thoughts about this name, please share them in the comments below.
Beyond Sakura and Hiroshi 