Declining since 1988, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Kimiko since 1909
Babies named Kimiko per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 8 |
| 1910s | 157 |
| 1920s | 249 |
| 1930s | 66 |
| 1940s | 13 |
| 1950s | 10 |
| 1960s | 102 |
| 1970s | 147 |
| 1980s | 337 |
| 1990s | 237 |
| 2000s | 191 |
| 2010s | 175 |
| 2020s | 151 |
Meaning & origin
Kimiko is a Japanese feminine name that entered U.S. records in 1909, reflecting early Japanese immigration. It saw its peak popularity in 1981, though even then it was never common. The name has been on a downward trajectory since 1988, and as of 2025 it ranked 6,838 with a frequency of roughly 1 in every 100,454 births. Most of its U.S. bearers have been concentrated in California, the top state for the name. Kimiko carries a gentle, melodic quality typical of Japanese names ending in ko, and while its exact meaning is debated, it is often associated with notions of beauty and preciousness.
Kimiko is a Japanese feminine name formed with the element ko (子), meaning 'child', which is a common suffix in Japanese girls' names. The first part of the name may derive from ki (貴) meaning 'precious' or 'empress', and mi (美) meaning 'beautiful', though alternative readings exist. Kimiko has been used in Japan since at least the early 20th century, consistent with its first recorded appearance in U.S. data in 1909, likely reflecting Japanese immigration.
Where Kimiko is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kimiko” around the world
Where Kimiko lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kimi, Miko, Kiko
Sibling names for Kimiko
Names that share Kimiko's style, for a brother or sister.
