MallowbyNames

Namiko

波子nah-MEE-koh · a Japanese name meaning 'child of the wave' or 'wave child'.

2025 rank (girls)
#3,903
Babies named in 2025
37
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 43,440 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2013

Rising since 2013, #3,903 for girls today.

Popularity of Namiko since 1920

Babies named Namiko per year in U.S. Social Security records.

132740192019602000Most births 2023Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1920s13
1930s0
1940s0
1950s0
1960s0
1970s0
1980s5
1990s0
2000s5
2010s76
2020s198

Meaning & origin

Namiko is a Japanese feminine name meaning 'wave child,' composed of the elements 'nami' (wave) and 'ko' (child). In the United States, the name has seen a resurgence in recent years; it peaked in popularity in 2023, ranking 3903 in 2025 with a rate of about 1 in 43,440 births. Since 2013, its trajectory has been steadily rising, and it has been recorded since 1920. The name is most commonly found in Texas among the top states. Namiko offers a distinctive yet gentle sound, appealing to parents seeking a name with clear Japanese roots and a nature-inspired meaning.

Namiko is a Japanese feminine given name composed of the elements 'nami' (wave) and 'ko' (child). The name has been in use since at least the early 20th century and remains popular in Japan. It is sometimes written with different kanji combinations, but the most common interpretation is 'wave child'.

Where Namiko is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Nami, Miko, Nana

Sibling names for Namiko

Names that share Namiko's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Yuki, Hana, Sakura, Aiko, Miyu

Brothers: Kenji, Hiroshi, Takashi, Ryo, Kaito

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Namiko, our favorite little girl.

N is for Namiko…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Namiko's letter becomes Namiko's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Namiko's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Namiko mean?
Namiko is a Japanese name meaning 'child of the wave' or 'wave child,' derived from 'nami' (wave) and 'ko' (child).
How popular is the name Namiko?
As of 2025, Namiko ranked 3903 in the United States, with approximately 1 in 43,440 baby girls given the name that year. Its popularity has been rising since 2013.
Is Namiko a boy or girl name?
Namiko is almost exclusively a girl's name, as it ends with the feminine suffix 'ko.'