Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Kiki
GirlEnglish, French· “pet form of various names”
- Meaning
- pet form of various names
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- KEE-kee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #8,116
- US babies 2025
- 13
- Best rank
- #2,078 (1975)
- Peak year
- 1975
Meaning and origin of Kiki
Kiki is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “pet form of various names”.
Kiki is a pet form used for many names, including Christine, Kristina, Kiara and Enriqueta. It developed as a playful doubling of the sound, like Lulu and Mimi. The name was famous in the nineteen twenties through Kiki de Montparnasse, a Paris model and artist, and later through the singer Kiki Dee and the Studio Ghibli film Kiki's Delivery Service. It is said KEE-kee. It is more often a nickname than a full name, and many parents choose a longer name such as Kristina or Kiara and use Kiki at home.
Popularity over time
Kiki first appears in US Social Security records in 1920. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,078 in 1975, the same year it reached its highest count of 42 babies. In 2025, 13 babies were named Kiki, and it ranked #8,116 nationally. That is 117% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,190 in 1920, #5,696 in 1950, #3,672 in 1980, #10,343 in 2000, #8,987 in 2010, and #8,116 in 2025. Of the 1,112 US girls named Kiki since records began, 25% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 142 babies. Since 2010, 201 more have been named Kiki.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Carlena, Tahira, Tenaya, Adena, and Keva.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Kiki is usually pronounced KEE-kee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with K and ends in “-ki”.
Middle names for Kiki
A few middle names that flow with Kiki: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Kiki
Similar names
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LAY-nee
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TAY-lur
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Bailey Girl
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Lists that include Kiki
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Kiki mean?
Kiki is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “pet form of various names”.
What is the origin of the name Kiki?
Kiki has English and French roots. Kiki is a pet form used for many names, including Christine, Kristina, Kiara and Enriqueta.
Is Kiki a popular name?
Not especially. Kiki ranked #8,116 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Kiki a boy or girl name?
Kiki is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Kiki?
Kiki is usually pronounced KEE-kee. 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