Declining since 2021, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Keiko since 1922
Babies named Keiko per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 41 |
| 1930s | 63 |
| 1940s | 60 |
| 1950s | 18 |
| 1960s | 60 |
| 1970s | 103 |
| 1980s | 172 |
| 1990s | 182 |
| 2000s | 154 |
| 2010s | 174 |
| 2020s | 143 |
Meaning & origin
Keiko is a Japanese name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1922, but it saw its greatest popularity in the 1990s, peaking in 1995. Since 2021, its usage has been declining, and in 2025 it ranked 6,546, with about 1 in 94,545 newborns given the name. The name is formed from the common Japanese elements 'kei' (blessing) and 'ko' (child), a suffix typical in female names. While not in the top 1,000, Keiko remains recognizable in the U.S., partly due to its association with the famous killer whale Keiko, star of the Free Willy films. Its cultural resonance and melodic sound keep it in modest use among families seeking a distinctly Japanese name.
Keiko is a common Japanese female given name formed by combining the kanji for 'blessing' (kei) and 'child' (ko), though other kanji combinations are possible. The name has been in use since at least the early 20th century, and its popularity in Japan peaked in the 1990s. It has also been used among Japanese diaspora communities worldwide.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kei, Kei-chan
Sibling names for Keiko
Names that share Keiko's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Yuki, Hana, Miyu, Sakura, Rin, Akiko, Ayako, Emi, Kyomi, Mariko, Masako, Miyoko, Reiko, Riki, Sachiko, Takara, Tamiko, Teruko, Yoko, Yoshie, Yoshiko, Yukiko, Yuriko, Chieko, Fusako, Harumi, Hiroko, Masami, Michiko, Miyoshi, Sachi, Sadako, Shigeko, Sumiko, Toyoko, Yasuko, Yukie, Yumiko, Asako, Ayomi, Eiko, Junko, Kameo, Matsue, Mitsuko, Nobuko, Noriko, Setsuko, Takako, Tanji, Timiko, Tomoko, Yoshiye, Yuko
Brothers: Kenji, Ryo, Taro, Hiro, Shin, Hiroki, Isamu, Jiro, Kiyoshi, Maki, Masaru, Minoru, Namari, Shigeru, Toshio, Yukio, Isao, Kenichi, Masayuki, Mitsuo, Saburo, Sadao, Shiro, Tamotsu, Teruo, Fumio, Kawai, Kiyo, Maiko, Masaichi, Masayoshi, Nobuo, Shoichi, Tatsuo, Tsugio, Tsuneo
