Kito
Meaningjewel · Swahili
Kito is an African gender-neutral name meaning “jewel”, with Swahili roots. Swahili names are often chosen for a quality or a blessing parents wish for their child. 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. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationKito peaked in 1976, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Kito you'd meet today is about 49 years old.
- HistoryKito first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
US births per million girls, 1974–2025
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kito
Kito is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “jewel”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Kito
What does the name Kito mean?
Kito means “jewel” and comes from Swahili. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Mani (“jewel”), Jewell (“jewel”), Johari (“jewel”) and Bijou (“jewel”).
What is the origin of the name Kito?
Kito is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Swahili. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Kito a boy or girl name?
Both. Kito is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Kito?
Kito is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1976. It peaked at #8,156 in 1976, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Kito?
If you like Kito, you might also like Mani, Jewell, Johari and Bijou.
What should I know before naming my baby Kito?
Kito is an African gender-neutral name meaning “jewel”, with Swahili roots. Swahili names are often chosen for a quality or a blessing parents wish for their child. 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. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.