Maiko
Meaningoften dancing child · Japanese
Maiko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “dancing 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 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?
- GenerationMaiko peaked in 1977, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Maiko you'd meet today is about 48 years old.
- HistoryMaiko 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
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Maiko
Maiko is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often dancing child”. 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.
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 Maiko
What does the name Maiko mean?
Maiko means “often dancing child” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Maika (“often dancing flower”).
What is the origin of the name Maiko?
Maiko is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Maiko a boy or girl name?
Maiko is a girl name, though a few boys are given it too each year.
How popular is the name Maiko?
Maiko is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2003. It peaked at #7,567 in 1977, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Maiko?
If you like Maiko, you might also like Maika.
What should I know before naming my baby Maiko?
Maiko is a Japanese girl name often meaning “dancing 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 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.