A 1980s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mariko since 1916
Babies named Mariko per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 20 |
| 1920s | 66 |
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 22 |
| 1960s | 61 |
| 1970s | 150 |
| 1980s | 475 |
| 1990s | 255 |
| 2000s | 121 |
| 2010s | 103 |
| 2020s | 40 |
Meaning & origin
Mariko, a Japanese name first recorded in the United States in 1916, saw its highest usage in 1984. After a period of decline, it has been rising in popularity since 2022, reflecting a broader renewed interest in Japanese names. As of 2025, the name ranks 9457th nationally with roughly 1 in every 160,727 girls being named Mariko. Despite its modest overall rank, Mariko carries a light, melodic quality and offers a direct connection to Japanese heritage for families seeking a cross-cultural name.
Mariko is a Japanese feminine name composed of two elements: 'mari' (真里), where 'ma' (真) means 'true, genuine' and 'ri' (里) means 'village, home', or alternatively from 'mari' (毬) meaning 'ball, sphere' (as in a handball or toy) plus 'ko' (子) meaning 'child'. The name gained modest usage in the United States during the late 20th century, reflecting broader interest in Japanese culture and names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mari, Mako, Riko
Variants: Marico
Sibling names for Mariko
Names that share Mariko's style, for a brother or sister.
