Kimiko
Meaningoften noble child · Japanese
Kimiko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “noble 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, Kimiko would score 16 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKimiko peaked in 1924, which makes it a Greatest Generation name, think great-grandparents.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Kimiko would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 100,000 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryKimiko first shows up in US birth records in 1909, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 116 years since.
US births per million girls, 1909–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kimiko
Kimiko is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often noble child”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It was most fashionable in the 1920s, 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 Kimiko
What does the name Kimiko mean?
Kimiko means “often noble child” and comes from Japanese. Names built around “noble” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Adeline (“noble”), Alice (“noble”), Audrey (“noble strength”) and Allison (“noble”).
What is the origin of the name Kimiko?
Kimiko is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Kimiko a boy or girl name?
Kimiko is a girl name. In 2025, 16 US girls were named Kimiko.
How popular is the name Kimiko?
Kimiko ranked #6,838 for US girls in 2025, given to 16 babies. Its best year was 1924, when it reached #1,258. Over the last five years it has slipped 1,524 places.
What names are similar to Kimiko?
If you like Kimiko, you might also like Adeline, Alice, Audrey and Allison.
What should I know before naming my baby Kimiko?
Kimiko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “noble 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.