The linguistic quirk that gave a loyal dog his name

Nature · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hachikō is the global symbol of canine devotion, but his iconic name might actually be a byproduct of a local dialect. While many believe it refers to his birth order or physical appearance, a more plausible theory suggests he was named to avoid a linguistic stumble in old Tokyo.

While popular myths suggest Hachikō was named for his forepaws resembling the kanji for 'eight' or because he was the eighth puppy in a litter, these claims remain unproven. Professor Mayumi Itoh notes that the true origin is inconclusive, though she finds a linguistic theory more plausible. At the time, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno had already named four previous Akita puppies in a numerical sequence: Tarō (first), Jirō (second), Gorō (fifth), and Roku (sixth).

Following this pattern, the next puppy should have been named Shichi (seven). However, many Tokyo residents spoke a traditional dialect where the word 'shichi' was difficult to pronounce articulately, often sounding like 'hichi.' To avoid this linguistic awkwardness, Ueno skipped seven and chose Hachi (eight). He also omitted the honorific suffix '-rō' because it was similarly difficult to pronounce, resulting in the name Hachi. The suffix '-kō' was added later in 1932 following a newspaper article, where it served as an affectionate term for a 'noble person.'

Hachikō's life was marked by significant hardship. After Ueno's death in 1925, the dog spent nearly ten years returning to Shibuya Station. He suffered from chronic digestive issues and was often neglected or mistreated by the public before his story gained international fame. His journey to Tokyo was also grueling; he was sent in a straw bag on a bumpy winter train ride that left him nearly dead upon arrival. It took Ueno and his wife six months to restore his health, a period of care that defined the bond leading to his legendary loyalty.

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