Translation: The kanji Naoko-sensei used for the last name has a different translation than some might think. The first kanji, "ai", means "love". The second kanji used in her name does NOT translate to "of", but rather to "field". The third kanji, "mi", translatates to mean "beauty, beautiful". The fourth kanji, "na" means "what?". Tee last kanji, "ko", translates to "child". This is actually a common surname in Japan, not a made-up one.

However, the name is a pun as it sounds (when spoken) like the phrase, "ai no minako" which would mean "Minako of Love". The love part is a very obvious pun considering she is the soldier of love and beauty as was the goddess in mythology who shares the name Venus. The beautiful child fits as well considering she is thirteen when she first becomes a soldier and is sixteen when the show ends.