Miko
Primarily a boy's name of Japanese origin with 931 recorded births. Also given to 590 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A transliteration of a female given name from Japanese.
Miko is a boy's and girl's baby name of Japanese origin, though in Japanese tradition miko typically refers to a female shrine maiden. As a given name in the West, Miko carries a Japanese aesthetic of simplicity and spiritual purity, increasingly used for boys as Japanese naming conventions are adopted internationally.
EtymologyShow more
Miko appeared in SSA records in 1971, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Japanese roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
Miko’s 931 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Miko climbed 3576 spots in the last 20 years — from #6031 to #2455.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 306 | #2365 | — |
| 2010s | 306 | #3733 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 158 | #5454 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 118 | #5528 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 21 | #6054 | — |
| 1970s | 22 | #5287 | — |
The Story of Miko
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2023, Miko is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Miko are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.
How rare is Miko?
Only about 1 in every 64,286 babies born in 2024 was named Miko — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1971, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 306 births that decade, and continues to thrive.
Miko by the numbers
- Would fill 19 school buses
- Meeting one Miko per day would take 2.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(42 years, 1971–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 56 | #2455 |
| 2023 | 78 | #1980 |
| 2022 | 75 | #2030 |
| 2021 | 57 | #2399 |
| 2020 | 40 | #2962 |
| 2019 | 46 | #2751 |
| 2018 | 43 | #2830 |
| 2017 | 30 | #3643 |
| 2016 | 35 | #3272 |
| 2015 | 31 | #3558 |
| 2014 | 30 | #3588 |
| 2013 | 27 | #3822 |
| 2012 | 18 | #5182 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4609 |
| 2010 | 25 | #4073 |
| 2009 | 18 | #5244 |
| 2008 | 18 | #5191 |
| 2007 | 17 | #5352 |
| 2006 | 17 | #5234 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5481 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Miko as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Miko has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 590 births since 1963.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miko a boy's or girl's name?
When was Miko most popular?
How popular is the name Miko?
Can Miko be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1971–2024