Holding steady.
Popularity of Reiko since 1921
Babies named Reiko per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 42 |
| 1930s | 86 |
| 1940s | 52 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 64 |
| 1970s | 139 |
| 1980s | 73 |
| 1990s | 73 |
| 2000s | 55 |
| 2010s | 59 |
| 2020s | 28 |
Meaning & origin
Reiko is a Japanese feminine name that enjoyed notable popularity in Japan during the 1970s, its peak decade. Rooted in the traditional -ko suffix meaning 'child', the name's meaning varies with the kanji chosen, the most common being 'grateful child' or 'beloved child'. Despite a peak in the 1970s and a stable trajectory since then, Reiko has not maintained widespread use in recent years, with no data indicating a rank in the latest year. The name remains culturally significant in Japan, where it reflects a naming convention that connects a child to virtues or natural beauty.
Reiko is a Japanese feminine name composed of two kanji characters: 'rei' (礼) meaning 'gratitude' or 'etiquette', and 'ko' (子) meaning 'child'. Alternative kanji combinations, such as 'rei' (怜) meaning 'wise' or 'rei' (玲) meaning 'sound of jewels', produce different nuances. The name became especially popular in Japan during the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1970s. It follows the traditional pattern of Japanese girls' names ending in -ko, which historically denoted femininity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rei, Rei-chan
Variants: Reiko, Reiko (れいこ)
Sibling names for Reiko
Names that share Reiko's style, for a brother or sister.
