noun, noun, used as a suffix
Archaic term for a boy or young man of noble birth, often used as a suffix in male given names or in historical contexts. The female counterpart is 姫 (ひめ).
古事記には、多くの彦や姫が登場する。
Many princes and princesses appear in the Kojiki.
「彦」は、昔の男性の名
Hiko was often used in old male names.
姫 is the female counterpart, meaning 'princess' or 'young lady of noble birth', and is also used as a suffix in female given names.
The historical derivation is uncertain; the kanji 彦 is conventionally associated with the meaning 'boy' or 'prince' in ancient Japanese contexts.