Holding steady.
Popularity of Junko since 1926
Babies named Junko per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 18 |
| 1970s | 65 |
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 12 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Junko is a Japanese feminine name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1926. Its peak year of usage was 1971, reflecting a period when Japanese names gained modest international exposure. The name's trajectory has been stable since that peak, with no significant resurgence. Although it does not appear in current rankings and has no recorded 1-in-N frequency in the latest available data, Junko remains a recognizable example of the traditional Japanese naming pattern combining a virtue-related prefix with the 'ko' suffix. No U.S. states show particularly high concentrations of the name, suggesting its use is scattered. The name's enduring if quiet presence offers a link to post-war cultural exchange without entering the mainstream.
Junko is a Japanese female given name composed of two elements. The first element, jun, can mean 'pure' (純) or 'obedient' (順), among other possibilities. The second element, ko (子), means 'child' and is a common suffix in traditional Japanese feminine names. The name has been used in Japan since at least the early 20th century, with its peak popularity in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jun, Jun-chan
Sibling names for Junko
Names that share Junko's style, for a brother or sister.
