Tamiko
Primarily a girl's name of Japanese origin with 3,001 recorded births. Also given to 42 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Japanese.
Tamiko is a girl's and boy's baby name of Japanese origin, from the Japanese tami (people, the public) and ko (child), meaning 'child of the people' or 'people's child.' The -ko suffix is one of the most common elements in Japanese feminine names, signifying 'child.'
Tamiko was used in Japanese-American communities and appeared in mid-20th century America through cultural exchange. It carries the warm communal meaning of its Japanese etymology — a name that places the individual within the loving context of community.
EtymologyShow more
Tamiko is cataloged under the Japanese naming tradition. Japanese names are typically composed of kanji characters, each contributing meaning — the same pronunciation can carry entirely different meanings depending on the characters chosen.
In the U.S., Tamiko has been recorded as a girl's name since 1917, with 3,001 total births. Browse the Japanese names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tamiko has 49+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1917.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 16 | #16745 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 80 | #10314 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 303 | #3680 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 1,901 | #911 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 643 | #2889 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 46 | #4087 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 12 | #4644 | — |
The Story of Tamiko
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1975, Tamiko is a Gen X staple. Girls named Tamiko are most likely born between 1965 and 1985.
How rare is Tamiko?
With 3,001 total births on record, Tamiko remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1917, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1970s with 1,901 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Tamiko by the numbers
- Would fill 63 school buses
- Meeting one Tamiko per day would take 8.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(49 years, 1917–2002)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 6 | #15207 |
| 2001 | 5 | #17684 |
| 2000 | 5 | #17345 |
| 1999 | 5 | #16641 |
| 1998 | 6 | #13931 |
| 1996 | 8 | #10457 |
| 1995 | 10 | #8681 |
| 1994 | 12 | #7556 |
| 1993 | 10 | #8652 |
| 1992 | 8 | #10380 |
| 1991 | 9 | #9271 |
| 1990 | 12 | #7258 |
| 1989 | 19 | #4830 |
| 1988 | 17 | #5048 |
| 1987 | 18 | #4647 |
| 1986 | 17 | #4712 |
| 1985 | 19 | #4271 |
| 1984 | 19 | #4154 |
| 1983 | 28 | #3056 |
| 1982 | 38 | #2524 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tamiko as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Tamiko has also been given to 42 boys in the U.S. since 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tamiko a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tamiko most popular?
How popular is the name Tamiko?
Can Tamiko be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1917–2002