Kiku
Meaningchrysanthemum · Japanese
Kiku is a Japanese girl name meaning “chrysanthemum”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kiku would score 12 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKiku peaked in 1915, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- HistoryKiku first shows up in US birth records in 1915, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 110 years since.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kiku
Kiku is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “chrysanthemum”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1910s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Kiku
What does the name Kiku mean?
Kiku means “chrysanthemum” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Kikuko (“chrysanthemum child”).
What is the origin of the name Kiku?
Kiku is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Kiku a boy or girl name?
Kiku is a girl name.
How popular is the name Kiku?
Kiku is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1915. It peaked at #3,434 in 1915, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kiku?
If you like Kiku, you might also like Kikuko.
What should I know before naming my baby Kiku?
Kiku is a Japanese girl name meaning “chrysanthemum”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.