Tokio

A boy's name of Japanese origin with 55 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Obsolete spelling of Tokyo.

Tokio is a boy's baby name of Japanese origin, an older romanization of Tokyo, which means 'eastern capital' from the kanji to (east) and kyo (capital). The spelling Tokio was the standard Western rendering of Japan's capital through the early 20th century.

City names as given names carry an instant sense of place and adventure. Tokio has been used in Latin American and Spanish-speaking communities as a given name, where its three-syllable rhythm and exotic flair translate beautifully.

EtymologyShow more

In the American context, Tokio is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1913–1923). Its Japanese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.

With 55 total births, Tokio exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.

At a Glance

Total births

Since 1913

1920

Peak

9 births

1913

First recorded

11 years of data

Compare Tokio with another name

Popularity Over Time

Tokio has 8+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.

First appeared: 1913Peak: 1920 (9 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Tokio
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1920s	24	#3488	▼
1910s	31	#3719	—

The Story of Tokio

A Greatest Generation name

Peaking in 1920, Tokio is a name steeped in history. Boys named Tokio are most likely born between 1913 and 1923.

How rare is Tokio?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tokio is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1910s with 31 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Tokio by the numbers

Would fill 1 school bus

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(8 years, 1913–1923)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Tokio
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1923	8	#3443	+1 (14.3%)
1922	7	#3835	-2 (-22.2%)
1920	9	#3186	+2 (28.6%)
1919	7	#3708	0
1918	7	#3683	0
1917	7	#3520	+2 (40.0%)
1916	5	#4467	0
1913	5	#3219	—

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tokio is primarily a boy's name.

When was Tokio most popular?

Tokio reached its peak popularity in 1920 with 9 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Tokio?

Tokio is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 55 babies in the U.S. since 1913. Its peak was in 1920.

Explore More

By Length5-letter names By OriginJapanese names By EndingNames in -o TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1923