Keiko

Primarily a girl's name of Japanese origin with 1,153 recorded births. Also given to 7 boys.

Girl's nameAlso boy's#5507 in 2024Declining

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from Japanese.

Keiko is a girl's and boy's baby name of Japanese origin, with several possible meanings depending on the kanji used: most commonly 'blessed child,' 'respected child,' or 'adored child' — from kei (blessing, respect) and ko (child). Keiko is a classically feminine Japanese name used across generations.

Keiko, the orca of the film Free Willy, brought this name to global attention in the 1990s. It remains a beautiful, culturally rich choice for families with Japanese heritage.

EtymologyShow more

Keiko first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1922. Its appearance in the 1920s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.

Its Japanese classification suggests a path from japanese linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.

At a Glance

1,153

Total births

Since 1922

1995

Peak

31 births

1922

First recorded

103 years of data

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Popularity Over Time

Keiko climbed 855 spots in the last 20 years — from #6362 to #5507.

First appeared: 1922Peak: 1995 (31 births)Current: #5507

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Keiko
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	126	#5165	▼
2010s	174	#7239	▲
2000s	154	#7659	▼
1990s	182	#5817	▲
1980s	172	#4661	▲
1970s	103	#5596	▲
1960s	60	#6034	▲
1950s	18	#5854	▼
1940s	60	#3662	—
1930s	63	#3405	▲
1920s	41	#3971	—

The Story of Keiko

A Millennial name

Peaking in 1995, Keiko is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Keiko are most likely born between 1985 and 2005.

How rare is Keiko?

Only about 1 in every 156,522 babies born in 2024 was named Keiko — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1922, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 182 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Keiko by the numbers

Would fill 24 school buses
Meeting one Keiko per day would take 3.2 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(87 years, 1922–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Keiko
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	23	#5507	-3 (-11.5%)
2023	26	#5059	+2 (8.3%)
2022	24	#5396	-1 (-4.0%)
2021	25	#5164	-3 (-10.7%)
2020	28	#4699	+10 (55.6%)
2019	18	#6561	0
2018	18	#6662	-5 (-21.7%)
2017	23	#5590	+7 (43.8%)
2016	16	#7426	+3 (23.1%)
2015	13	#8695	+2 (18.2%)
2014	11	#9853	-5 (-31.3%)
2013	16	#7576	-8 (-33.3%)
2012	24	#5641	+8 (50.0%)
2011	16	#7611	-3 (-15.8%)
2010	19	#6776	+7 (58.3%)
2009	12	#9705	-1 (-7.7%)
2008	13	#9250	-4 (-23.5%)
2007	17	#7578	+2 (13.3%)
2006	15	#8055	-1 (-6.3%)
2005	16	#7322	-3 (-15.8%)

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

Keiko as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Keiko has also been given to 7 boys in the U.S. since 2024.

#10375

Current rank

Total births

2024

Peak year

Compare Keiko as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Keiko is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 7 recorded births.

When was Keiko most popular?

Keiko reached its peak popularity in 1995 with 31 births that year. It is currently ranked #5507 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Keiko?

Keiko is currently ranked #5507 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,153 babies since 1922.

Can Keiko be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Keiko is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #5507. As a boy's name, it ranks #10375.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1922–2024