Kiko
Primarily a boy's name of Japanese origin with 147 recorded births. Also given to 113 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Japanese.
Kiko is a girl's and boy's baby name of Japanese origin with multiple possible meanings depending on the kanji, including 'radiant child,' 'hope child,' or 'chronicle child.' It is also used as a nickname for names ending in -ko, the classic Japanese feminine suffix meaning "child."
Kiko gained international recognition through Princess Kiko of Japan, wife of Prince Fumihito. Its short, bright sound travels well across languages and cultures.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Kiko's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Kiko softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Kiko's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kiko has 17+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1979.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 54 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 44 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 10 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 24 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 15 | — |
The Story of Kiko
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Kiko is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Kiko are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Kiko?
Only about 1 in every 514,286 babies born in 2024 was named Kiko — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2020s with 54 births that decade.
Kiko by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 1979–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | #10412 |
| 2023 | 14 | #6364 |
| 2022 | 5 | #13432 |
| 2021 | 22 | #4562 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11360 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8571 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10261 |
| 2017 | 5 | #13359 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11523 |
| 2015 | 8 | #9205 |
| 2014 | 9 | #8498 |
| 2003 | 5 | #11927 |
| 2001 | 5 | #11569 |
| 1983 | 6 | #5892 |
| 1981 | 6 | #5901 |
| 1980 | 12 | #3519 |
| 1979 | 15 | #2962 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Kiko as a Girl's Name
Kiko is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 113 recorded births since 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kiko a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kiko most popular?
How popular is the name Kiko?
Can Kiko be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2024