Kayo

Primarily a boy's name of Japanese origin with 268 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.

Boy's nameAlso girl's#6629 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

A knockout.

Kayo is a boy's and girl's baby name of Japanese and Yoruba origin. In Japanese, Kayo can be written with characters meaning 'beautiful generation' or 'summer.' In Yoruba (Nigeria), Kayo means 'brings joy' or 'joy has come.' As English slang, K.O. means knockout.

Kayo is one of those rare names that carries genuinely beautiful meanings in multiple languages simultaneously — a cross-cultural name that speaks both Japanese beauty and West African joy.

EtymologyShow more

Phonetically, Kayo belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.

Within the Japanese naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Japanese names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Kayo’s linguistic neighborhood.

At a Glance

268

Total births

Since 1926

2009

Peak

20 births

1926

First recorded

99 years of data

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Popularity Over Time

Kayo climbed 4053 spots in the last 20 years — from #10682 to #6629.

First appeared: 1926Peak: 2009 (20 births)Current: #6629

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kayo
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	57	#7923	▼
2010s	102	#8151	▲
2000s	94	#8022	▲
1990s	5	#9606	—
1940s	5	#3941	—
1920s	5	#4525	—

The Story of Kayo

A Gen Z name

Peaking in 2009, Kayo is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kayo are most likely born between 1999 and 2019.

How rare is Kayo?

Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Kayo — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1926, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 102 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Kayo by the numbers

Would fill 6 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(27 years, 1926–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kayo
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	13	#6629	0
2023	13	#6715	0
2022	13	#6660	0
2021	13	#6507	+8 (160.0%)
2020	5	#13103	0
2019	5	#13151	-8 (-61.5%)
2018	13	#6532	+3 (30.0%)
2017	10	#7874	+2 (25.0%)
2016	8	#9287	-3 (-27.3%)
2015	11	#7310	+2 (22.2%)
2014	9	#8479	-2 (-18.2%)
2013	11	#7302	-4 (-26.7%)
2012	15	#5850	+4 (36.4%)
2011	11	#7256	+2 (22.2%)
2010	9	#8466	-11 (-55.0%)
2009	20	#4843	+6 (42.9%)
2008	14	#6261	0
2007	14	#6103	+2 (16.7%)
2006	12	#6689	+3 (33.3%)
2005	9	#8001	+3 (50.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kayo as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Kayo has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1973.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1973

Peak year

Compare Kayo as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kayo a boy's or girl's name?

Kayo is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Kayo most popular?

Kayo reached its peak popularity in 2009 with 20 births that year. It is currently ranked #6629 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kayo?

Kayo is currently ranked #6629 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 268 babies since 1926.

Can Kayo be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Kayo is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #6629. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

By Length4-letter names By OriginJapanese names By EndingNames in -o TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1926–2024