Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Keiko
GirlJapanese· “often blessed child, depending on kanji”
- Meaning
- often blessed child, depending on kanji
- Origin
- Japanese
- Pronunciation
- KAY-koh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,689
- US babies 2025
- 17
- Best rank
- #2,470 (1941)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Keiko
Keiko is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “often blessed child, depending on kanji”.
Keiko is a Japanese name ending in ko, child, a very common ending for girls' names in the twentieth century. Its meaning depends on the kanji: common spellings include blessed child and respectful child. Because the characters vary, there is no single meaning for the spoken name. In English it is said KAY-koh, two syllables. The name is widely known in America from Japanese American families. In Japan it now sounds somewhat old-fashioned, like many -ko names. It is short and simple, and it carries a gentle, positive meaning.
Popularity over time
Keiko first appears in US Social Security records in 1922. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,470 in 1941, and the most babies received it in 1995, when 31 were named Keiko. In 2025, 17 babies were named Keiko, and it ranked #6,689 nationally. That is 31% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,837 in 1980, #7,369 in 2000, #6,777 in 2010, and #6,689 in 2025. Of the 1,170 US girls named Keiko since records began, 16% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 174 babies. Since 2010, 317 more have been named Keiko.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Timberly, Deona, Carmina, Nida, and Tamarah.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 96% of US babies named Keiko over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Keiko is usually pronounced KAY-koh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-ko”.
Middle names for Keiko
A few middle names that flow with Keiko: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Keiko
Similar names
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Lists that include Keiko
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Keiko mean?
Keiko is a Japanese name that is usually said to mean “often blessed child, depending on kanji”.
What is the origin of the name Keiko?
Keiko has Japanese roots. Keiko is a Japanese name ending in ko, child, a very common ending for girls' names in the twentieth century.
Is Keiko a popular name?
Not especially. Keiko ranked #6,689 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Keiko a boy or girl name?
Keiko is mainly a girl's name. About 96% of US babies named Keiko over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Keiko?
Keiko is usually pronounced KAY-koh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings