Kiki

Primarily a girl's name of French origin with 1,099 recorded births. Also given to 25 boys.

Girl's name| Also boy's#8170 in 2024Declining

Meaning & Origin

A pet form of several female given names beginning with K.

Kiki is a girl's and boy's baby name of uncertain origin, used as a diminutive in multiple cultures — in French it's an affectionate nickname, in Japanese it can derive from beautiful characters meaning 'hope' or 'rare.' The name gained pop culture resonance through Kiki's Delivery Service, the beloved Studio Ghibli film about a young witch who builds her independence.

With over 1,000 recorded U.S. births, Kiki is charming and full of personality — a name that sounds like joy itself, impossible to say without smiling.

EtymologyShow more

Phonetically, Kiki belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, approachable ending — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.

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

At a Glance

#8170

Current Rank

1,099

Total births

Since 1920

1975

Peak year

42 births

Compare Kiki with another name

Popularity Over Time

Kiki climbed 1420 spots in the last 20 years — from #9590 to #8170.

First appeared: 1920Peak: 1975 (42 births)Current: #8170

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kiki
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	77	#7381	▼
2010s	111	#10243	▼
2000s	138	#8769	▲
1990s	85	#10670	▼
1980s	142	#6430	▼
1970s	273	#3001	▲
1960s	134	#3908	▲
1950s	71	#5091	▲
1940s	7	#4553	▼
1930s	23	#4291	▼
1920s	38	#4503	—

The Story of Kiki

A Gen X name

Peaking in 1975, Kiki is a Gen X staple. Girls named Kiki are most likely born between 1965 and 1985.

How rare is Kiki?

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

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1920, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1970s with 273 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Kiki by the numbers

Would fill 23 school buses
Meeting one Kiki per day would take 3 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(86 years, 1920–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kiki
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	13	#8170	0
2023	13	#8278	-3 (-18.8%)
2022	16	#7134	-2 (-11.1%)
2021	18	#6538	+1 (5.9%)
2020	17	#6786	+2 (13.3%)
2019	15	#7542	+5 (50.0%)
2018	10	#10209	-3 (-23.1%)
2017	13	#8556	-1 (-7.1%)
2016	14	#8207	+8 (133.3%)
2015	6	#15511	-3 (-33.3%)
2014	9	#11481	-3 (-25.0%)
2013	12	#9336	+3 (33.3%)
2012	9	#11783	-1 (-10.0%)
2011	10	#10818	-3 (-23.1%)
2010	13	#8986	-1 (-7.1%)
2009	14	#8680	-11 (-44.0%)
2008	25	#5658	+14 (127.3%)
2007	11	#10498	-6 (-35.3%)
2006	17	#7330	+3 (21.4%)
2005	14	#8122	+3 (27.3%)

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

Kiki as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Kiki has also been given to 25 boys in the U.S. since 1980.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1980

Peak year

Compare Kiki as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kiki is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 25 recorded births.

When was Kiki most popular?

Kiki reached its peak popularity in 1975 with 42 births that year. It is currently ranked #8170 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kiki?

Kiki is currently ranked #8170 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 1,099 babies since 1920.

Can Kiki be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Kiki is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #8170. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

By Length4-letter names By OriginFrench names By EndingNames in -i TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–2024