Nekko
A boy's name of Japanese origin with 45 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 5 letters and two syllables, Nekko hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1991, with 45 total recorded births.
Nekko is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Nekko is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Nekko is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, related to the Japanese neko meaning 'cat.' As a given name, Nekko has a playful, endearing quality — names with animal connections have appeared across many cultures as expressions of affection and personality.
Short, memorable, and full of personality, Nekko is the kind of name that immediately charms everyone who hears it.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Nekko'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. Nekko softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Nekko'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
Nekko has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1991.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 18 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 6 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 16 | — |
The Story of Nekko
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2014, Nekko is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Nekko are most likely born between 2004 and 2020.
How rare is Nekko?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Nekko is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1991, peaked in the 2010s with 18 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(8 years, 1991–2020)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | #13477 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11769 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13466 |
| 2014 | 7 | #10403 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9949 |
| 1998 | 6 | #9288 |
| 1994 | 5 | #9818 |
| 1991 | 5 | #9182 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nekko a boy's or girl's name?
When was Nekko most popular?
How popular is the name Nekko?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1991–2020