Himiko
/hiːˈmiːkoʊ/noun
Himiko was a third-century Japanese ruler and religious leader recorded in Chinese historical texts.
Did you know?The name Himiko appears in the Chinese Wei Chronicle as 卑弥呼, but scholars still debate whether it was her personal name, a title, or a Chinese rendering of an ancient Japanese term.
Etymological Timeline
3rd Century
Chinese
卑弥呼
“The Chinese-character transcription recorded in the Wei Chronicle for the Japanese ruler later known as Himiko.”
3rd Century
Chinese
Pimiko
“A reconstruction of the approximate Chinese pronunciation of 卑弥呼; the original pronunciation is uncertain.”
3rd Century
Japanese
Himiko
“The conventional Japanese reading of the ruler’s recorded name.”
8th Century
Japanese
日巫女 / 姫巫女
“Later Japanese interpretations connected the name with terms meaning “sun priestess” or “princess shaman,” though these are debated and may be folk etymologies.”
Modern English
English
Himiko
“The standard English form for the powerful female ruler described in Chinese records as governing the land of Yamatai.”