Kikuko
Meaningchrysanthemum child · Japanese
Kikuko is a Japanese girl name meaning “chrysanthemum child”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kikuko would score 18 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKikuko peaked in 1931, which makes it a Silent Generation name, think grandparents and great-grandparents.
- HistoryKikuko 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 Kikuko
Kikuko is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “chrysanthemum child”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1930s, 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 Kikuko
What does the name Kikuko mean?
Kikuko means “chrysanthemum child” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Kiku (“chrysanthemum”).
What is the origin of the name Kikuko?
Kikuko is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Kikuko a boy or girl name?
Kikuko is a girl name.
How popular is the name Kikuko?
Kikuko is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1931. It peaked at #3,848 in 1931, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kikuko?
If you like Kikuko, you might also like Kiku.
What should I know before naming my baby Kikuko?
Kikuko is a Japanese girl name meaning “chrysanthemum child”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.